Emergency Help! +254 725 258 821
user
Login
Join Now
Advanced
Search
  1. Home
  2. 10 Common Pregnancy Myths—Debunked by Experts: An African Mother’s Guide
10 Common Pregnancy Myths—Debunked by Experts: An African Mother’s Guide
Maternal Health

10 Common Pregnancy Myths—Debunked by Experts: An African Mother’s Guide

  • June 19, 2025
  • 0 Likes
  • 14 Views
  • 0 Comments

In many African homes, pregnancy is not just a medical condition—it’s a community affair. Aunties, neighbours, even the mama mboga (vegetable seller) have advice for expectant mothers. Some of this wisdom is helpful. But some? Pure myth.

Let’s separate fact from fiction. Whether you’re a first-time mother in Nairobi, an expecting aunt in Lagos, or a midwife in Kampala, this guide helps you understand what’s true, what’s not, and why it matters.

1. Myth: If You Have Heartburn, Your Baby Will Be Hairy

Reality:
This is a popular saying in many African households—“If the fire burns you, the child has a head like a goat.” It’s funny, but not factual. Heartburn in pregnancy is caused by hormonal changes that relax the valve between the stomach and esophagus (Mayo Clinic, 2024).

📖 Source:
Mayo Clinic. (2024). Pregnancy and Heartburn. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/heartburn-gerd/in-depth/heartburn-during-pregnancy/art-20045935

2. Myth: Sex During Pregnancy Can Harm the Baby

Reality:
Unless your doctor says otherwise, sex during pregnancy is completely safe. In fact, it can even help maintain intimacy and reduce stress. The baby is protected by the amniotic fluid and strong uterine muscles (WHO, 2023).

🔗 Source:
World Health Organization. (2023). Sexual health and pregnancy. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/sexual-health

3. Myth: Eating Eggs Will Make Your Baby Bald

Reality:
This is heard in many Swahili-speaking communities: “Mtoto atazaliwa kipara!” (The baby will be born bald!) Eggs are actually rich in protein and choline, essential for brain development (CDC, 2022).

🔗 Source:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022). Nutrition during pregnancy. https://www.cdc.gov/nutrition/infantandtoddlernutrition/pregnancy.html

4. Myth: You Should Eat for Two

Reality:
In Uganda, elders often say, “A pregnant woman must eat like two men.” But overeating can lead to excessive weight gain and complications like gestational diabetes. What you need is nutrient-rich, balanced meals—not quantity (WHO, 2023).

📖 Source:
World Health Organization. (2023). Healthy diet during pregnancy. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/healthy-diet

5. Myth: Carrying Low Means a Boy, Carrying High Means a Girl

Reality:
This myth persists even in urban clinics. The truth? How you carry depends on your muscle tone, the position of the baby, and body type—not the baby’s gender (ACOG, 2022).

🔗 Source:
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. (2022). Pregnancy myths vs facts. https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/pregnancy-faqs

6. Myth: Walking Too Much Causes Miscarriage

Reality:
Many rural women are told to avoid movement. But walking is safe and encouraged unless you have a high-risk pregnancy. A Ghanaian midwife, Auntie Abena, shared: “I walked to fetch water till 8 months—my baby still danced in my belly.”

✅ Expert Insight:
Regular physical activity improves circulation, reduces swelling, and helps during labour (NHS, 2024).

🔗 Source:
National Health Service UK. (2024). Exercise in pregnancy. https://www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/keeping-well/exercise/

7. Myth: You Can’t Dye or Braid Your Hair During Pregnancy

Reality:
There is no evidence linking braiding or natural dye use to pregnancy complications. Just ensure products used are non-toxic. In fact, many African women find salon time relaxing during stressful trimesters (Healthline, 2023).

📖 Source:
Healthline. (2023). Is it safe to dye or braid hair during pregnancy? https://www.healthline.com/health/pregnancy/hair-dye-pregnancy

8. Myth: If You Look Beautiful, It’s a Boy. If You Look Tired, It’s a Girl “Stealing Your Beauty”

Reality:
Hormonal changes affect every woman differently. Skin acne, fatigue, or glow—it has nothing to do with the baby’s gender. “Beauty lies in the womb,” a Maasai elder joked—but it lies in your hormones.

📚 Medical Reference:
Cleveland Clinic. (2022). Skin changes during pregnancy. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/9707-skin-changes-during-pregnancy

9. Myth: Drinking Palm Wine or Herbal Concoctions Strengthens the Baby

Reality:
In parts of West Africa, pregnant women are told to take traditional brews. Some herbs may be beneficial—but many aren’t tested or safe. One case in Nigeria reported premature labour after drinking “agbo” (Olowe et al., 2021).

🧪 Study:
Olowe, O. A., et al. (2021). Traditional medicine use in pregnancy and implications. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, 21(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-021-03767-w

10. Myth: You Must Stay Indoors After Giving Birth for 40 Days

Reality:
The “seclusion period” is culturally significant, promoting rest. But medically, movement and sunlight support healing. Dr. Njeri, a Nairobi gynecologist, notes: “Stay home, yes, but don’t imprison yourself. Sunshine is medicine.”

🌞 Medical Tip:
Postpartum depression can worsen with prolonged isolation. Support, light activity, and vitamin D help recovery (WHO, 2024).

🔗 Source:
World Health Organization. (2024). Postpartum care for mothers. https://www.who.int/health-topics/maternal-health#tab=tab_1

Conclusion: Wisdom + Science = Safer Pregnancy

African communities are full of wisdom passed down generations. But it’s time to blend that wisdom with science. As the Kikuyu proverb says: “He who is not taught by his mother will be taught by the world.”

By understanding what’s true and what’s not, mothers can make better decisions for themselves and their babies. Share this post with a sister, a friend, or your local women’s group. Let’s raise awareness, one myth at a time.

References

  • Share:

Leave Your Comment

MamaTotoBot - Maternal & Child Health Assistant