Misconceptions about pregnancy.

Indeed on the contrary, physical exercise during pregnancy is even recommended. Of course, it's important to listen to your body and engage in gentle sports that do not pose a risk of falling. Swimming, water aerobics, or yoga, for example, are excellent activities for improving flexibility and alleviating back pain. Moreover, a half-hour walk per day is recommended during pregnancy.

This is incorrect up until the 36th week of pregnancy (in the absence of complications) or the 32nd week if the expectant mother is carrying twins. This timeframe can vary slightly from one airline to another. Moreover, some require a signed medical opinion. To travel with peace of mind, do not hesitate to wear compression stockings to avoid problems with heavy legs and generally favour loose clothing. Finally, it is recommended for pregnant women to occasionally stand up on the plane to walk and stretch their legs, as they are at a higher risk of developing deep vein thrombosis, which corresponds to the formation of blood clots.

This is indeed a common misconception. The baby is in no way compressed by the seatbelt, as it is safely protected within the amniotic sac. Furthermore, numerous studies have addressed this issue and it has been found that, even at low speeds, the risks to the baby are significantly higher in the event of an accident without a seatbelt than with one. Therefore, it is crucial for the safety of the pregnant woman and her child to properly wear her seatbelt.

It is often said that a pointed belly signifies the birth of a boy. In fact, there is no connection between the shape of a pregnant woman's belly and the sex of the child she is expecting. While it would be convenient, the shape the belly takes is actually due to 4 factors: the natural curvature of the mother, the elasticity of her skin, the morphology of her pelvis, and the position of the foetus in her uterus.

This is incorrect. When pregnancy progresses without complications, sexual intercourse is safe. Indeed, the potential uterine contractions that an orgasm may trigger are not sufficient to induce premature labour or a miscarriage. Some people also worry that the prostaglandins found in semen could trigger labour. Rest assured, the fact that the cervix is closed prevents the semen from gaining access. Lastly, it's worth noting that during penetrative sexual intercourse, the penis does not touch the baby, who is well protected by the amniotic membranes.

One should rather eat twice as well during pregnancy, which is a very tiring period for the expectant mother. Therefore, adopt a varied and balanced diet when you are pregnant and listen to yourself, as well as your appetite, while avoiding excesses. For your information, pregnant women are often recommended to consume products rich in vitamins B, D, calcium and iron, which allow you to replenish your energy and contribute positively to the baby's development.

Fortunately, nature is well designed and the baby is well protected by the amniotic sac. Therefore, you can sleep on your stomach without any risk. However, as the uterus begins to expand, this position often becomes quite uncomfortable.

This is both true and false. The Lactational Amenorrhea Method (LAM) indeed relies on the fact that prolactin, the hormone responsible for the production of breast milk, blocks ovulation for the 6 months following childbirth. However, it requires the following conditions to be met: exclusive breastfeeding, day and night, 6 to 10 feeds per day, no more than 4 hours between each breastfeeding and persistent amenorrhea. If all these conditions are met, the effectiveness of contraception is estimated to be around 98%. However, this method is quite uncertain and it is not recommended to use it to prevent the birth of a future child.

Indeed, women with darker skin are at a higher risk of developing a pregnancy mask due to the type of melanin they synthesise, however, all women can experience hyperpigmentation during their pregnancy, regardless of their skin tone. That's why it's crucial to properly protect oneself from the sun when pregnant.

This notion is without scientific basis. It sometimes happens that under the influence of hormones, food tastes and cravings change. However, whether you follow these cravings or not, it will have no influence on the occurrence or non-occurrence of angiomas, naevi or other spots on your baby.

This is partly true. Some anaesthetists refuse to administer an epidural if the area to be injected is covered by a tattoo, for fear of ink infiltration. However, according to the French Society of Anaesthesia and Resuscitation (SFAR), a lower back tattoo should not be a hindrance to epidural analgesia. Therefore, if you are considering this procedure and have a tattoo in this area, consult in advance with the specialist who will be in charge of the operation.

True and False. At the beginning of your pregnancy, you will undergo a series of blood tests to determine whether or not you are immune to certain bacterial infections such as toxoplasmosis, listeriosis... If not, you will need to pay close attention to your diet. Raw meats, fish, vegetables and unpasteurised cheeses will then be advised against.

This is incorrect. The formation of stretch marks depends on numerous factors, such as the natural elasticity of a pregnant woman's skin, her stress levels, the speed of her weight gain... While the application of a stretch mark cream can help to prevent them, it is by no means a guarantee. Some women do not develop stretch marks during their pregnancy without applying any cream, while others use it daily and are still affected.

This is partly true, but breastfeeding is not the sole culprit. All the weight fluctuations and strains that the breasts undergo during pregnancy and breastfeeding can potentially weaken the tissues and impair their firmness. The breasts may then sag as a result of all the stresses they have endured.

This is solely a common belief. A number of scientific studies have investigated this phenomenon and all have arrived at the same conclusion: there is no link between the phase of the moon and the number of births.

• GALVIN S. & al. The effect of the lunar cycle on frequency of births and birth complications. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology (2005).

• HOLDER K. & al. Contraception and breastfeeding. Clinical Obstetrics and Gynecology (2015).

• DEMETRIADES D. & al. The impact of seat belt use in pregnancy on injuries and outcomes after motor vehicle collisions. Journal of Surgical Research (2020).