Top 16 Birth Myths from 1940's to Today
“Don’t lift your arms over your head.”
“First babies always come late.”
“Hospital birth is the only safe option.”
If you’re pregnant, you may have already heard at least one of these — maybe from a well-meaning family member… or maybe from your doctor.
In this episode, we’re having a little fun (and a lot of truth-telling) as we walk through 16 of the most common pregnancy and birth myths, from the 1940s all the way to today. Some are funny. Some are outdated. And some are still quietly shaping how women experience pregnancy and birth — without even realizing it.
If you’ve ever wondered, “Is this actually true… or just something people say?"... this one's for you!
Here’s What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
3:05 – Myth #1: Don’t lift your arms over your head
Could raising your arms really cause the umbilical cord to wrap around your baby’s neck?
4:42 – Myth #2: Stay in bed and “take it easy”
Why pregnancy was once treated like a fragile medical condition — and how that advice can actually work against your body.
5:52 – Myth #3: No sex during pregnancy
Is sex dangerous for baby… or is this myth rooted in discomfort, fear, and a whole lot of misunderstanding?
7:22 – Myth #4: Don’t gain too much weight or your baby will be too big
The pressure women have carried for decades — and what actually influences birth outcomes more than the number on the scale.
8:43 – Myth #5: Cravings mean your baby needs that food
Chocolate cake, pickles, salt… intuition or just pregnancy hormones? The truth behind cravings (and when they matter).
10:17 – Myth #6: You should be put to sleep for labor
The shocking history of “Twilight Sleep” — and why informed consent matters more than ever in birth.
13:02 – Myth #7: Formula is better than breast milk
How marketing shaped an entire generation’s beliefs — and what’s actually happening between mom and baby during feeding.
14:14 – Myth #8: You should schedule inductions for convenience
Why inductions became routine, how timing plays a role, and what every mom should know before saying yes.
16:56 – Myth #9: Don’t question your doctor
Where the white-coat authority mindset came from — and why asking questions is one of the most powerful tools you have.
19:26 – Myth #10: Hospital birth is the only safe option
How fear-based messaging changed birth — and why “safe” means more than just medical outcomes.
22:00 – Myth #11: Your water will break in a dramatic gush
Thanks, Hollywood 🙃 What actually happens most of the time — and why this myth causes unnecessary panic.
23:25 – Myth #12: First babies always come late
What “late” really means, why due dates are just estimates, and how biology doesn’t run on calendars.
25:32 – Myth #13: Epidurals mean you won’t feel anything
The expectation vs. reality conversation most moms never get before labor starts.
26:51 – Myth #14: C-sections are the easy way out
Any other c-section mamas think this may have started by someone who had never had one? 😏 ...and what C-section recovery truly looks like.
28:53 – Myth #15: You’ll forget the pain
Is it true… or just nature’s clever way of helping women do hard things again?
32:23 – Myth #16: You’ll instantly bond with your baby
The side of bonding no one talks about — and why delayed connection is more normal than you think.
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