Pregnancy Myths.. True of False?

Myths..
Who hasn't heard one? I bet you have.

Now.. Pregnancy myths.
I'm also sure you, especially moms or moms-to-be, have heard some or maybe even many of them.
Passed on from the older generations, and were so convincing that you could believe it.

I, personally, have heard quite a lot, especially ever since I got pregnant.
"You shouldn't do this/that"
"You must do this/that"
and the list goes on and on..

But are they true?
Here are some famous myths that I've heard or came across, that (I think) worth sharing.. 
And whether they're true or false..

1. Cocoa butter prevents stretch marks: False. Using cocoa butter makes women’s skin more sensitive, and some have allergic reactions to it.
2. You can’t fly during your first or last trimester: False. You can fly whenever you want, but consult your doctor first. Some airlines won’t let you fly in your last trimester, afraid that you’ll go into labor and force the plane to land or spoil the upholstery.
3. You can’t pet your cat during pregnancy: False. However, you shouldn’t change your cat’s litter box during pregnancy because of the risk of toxoplasmosis from the dookies.
4. You shouldn’t eat smoked salmon while pregnant: False. Salmon is good for mothers-to-be; it’s high in omega-3 fatty acids like DHA, and salmon is a fresh water fish, so the likelihood of mercury poisoning is low.
5. You can’t eat sushi: False. Sushi is permissible except for mackerel, shark, tilefish and swordfish. And don’t eat too much tuna — no more than 12. oz (about two maki, or rolls) per week. But please make sure that you’re eating from a very clean place.
6. You can’t eat hot dogs: False. Hot dogs are fine to eat, as long as they’re well-cooked.
7. You shouldn’t have sex/lift your hands over your head/touch your toes while pregnant: All false, unless you have a specific medical condition and your doctor warns you against it.
8. You shouldn’t drink coffee while pregnant: False. But don’t go nuts, a cup a day won’t hurt junior.
9. You should abstain from alcohol during pregnancy: True, with a question mark. No one really knows their alcohol limit, so better avoid them for a while.
10. The baby’s position in the womb can tell you its sex: False. Also, the line on the skin stretching below the navel is no clue to whether your baby’s a boy or girl. You just can’t tell from outside the womb.
11. Walking makes labor go faster: False. It might make you feel better but there’s no activity that’s going to bring on labor, sorry.
12. Pregnant women should eat for two: So False. Carrying a baby actually only requires 300 extra calories a day. So technically you should be eating for about one and a fifth. If you do eat for two, you’ll end up with a bigger baby.
13. A bigger baby is a better baby: False. The average baby weighs about 3.4kgs. Babies that are much bigger than that are more likely to suffer from diabetes and obesity in later life.
14. Drinking dark beer helps the milk come in:  False. It might help the mother relax, though, which does help with milk letdown (but it has nothing to do with the barley in the beer). Also, a beer is great for Mom’s mental well-being.
15. Stress during pregnancy is always bad for the fetus: False. New research shows that a moderate level of stress is actually good for the fetus: It tones the fetus's nervous system and accelerates its development.
16. Pregnant women shouldn't eat sweets: There's a big exception to this rule.. chocolate. New studies show that pregnant women who eat chocolate every day during pregnancy have babies who show less fear and smile and laugh more often at six months of age. Another study finds that women who eat five or more servings of chocolate each week during their third trimester have a 40 percent lower risk of developing the dangerous high blood pressure condition known as preeclampsia.
17. Pregnant women should avoid exercise: False. When a pregnant woman exercises, her fetus gets a beneficial workout, too. Research shows that the fetuses of pregnant women who are physically active have heart rates that are slower and more variable; both signs of cardiovascular health. The babies of exercisers have lower birth weights, and may even become more intelligent adults because of their bigger brains.
18. Pregnancy is really just a nine-month wait for the big event… birth: False. Scientists are learning that pregnancy is a crucial period in itself: "the staging ground for well-being and disease in later life," as one researcher puts it.
19. Pregnant women shouldn't take baths: False. Yes you can, BUT as long as the water is not too hot, as it could cause a drop in blood pressure (depriving the baby of oxygen and nutrients), dizziness and birth defects (especially in the first trimester). In addition, saunas and steam baths aren't safe too during pregnancy.
20. If you were a big baby at birth, your babies will be big too: Most likely. Genes do play a major role. Several studies have found that a mother's birth weight is a strong predictor of the size of her baby.

There you go..
Some famous myths around pregnancy that I've came across and/or read..
Interesting, isn't it? :D

What other pregnancy myths have you heard? 

Share them with me, if you don't mind..

Have a nice day :)

Sources:
20 Common Myths About Pregnancy
Pregnancy Myths
Top 7 Pregnancy Myths
Is It True for Pregnancy