Pregnancy: myth vs reality—let’s sort fact from fiction! 🤰

Pregnancy is probably one of the most commonly surrounded stages of life when it comes to misconceptions. From the moment it’s announced, advice (sometimes unsolicited) starts pouring in, stories multiply, and everyone seems to have something to say. Between relatives’ experiences, anecdotes heard here and there, and portrayals in films and TV shows, it can sometimes be difficult to separate myth from reality.

And while certain changes are normal and common during pregnancy, they never manifest in exactly the same way from one person to another. Some experience relatively calm nine months, while others face more challenges. Some love being pregnant, while others prefer the idea of meeting their baby at the end of the journey.

So today, we’re taking you on a quick tour of the most common pregnancy myths, to remind you that there are as many ways to experience this journey as there are women. 💛

“During pregnancy, the body changes a lot—and it’s bound to be difficult.” 🪞

It’s true that pregnancy comes with many physical changes! The belly grows, weight increases, the centre of gravity shifts, and certain everyday habits gradually evolve… From the outside, it can sometimes look quite striking.

Yet what we often forget is that these changes happen gradually, over several months. The body doesn’t transform overnight—it constantly adapts. And the same is true for the future mother, who slowly learns to adjust to all these new sensations.

That said, this doesn’t mean everything is always comfortable. Some women experience pain, fatigue, or more noticeable discomfort. But the idea of a pregnancy where one feels constantly limited doesn’t reflect everyone’s reality. In fact, many women continue to travel, exercise, or simply go about their daily lives with only minor adjustments.

👉 Verdict: Reality… but nuanced. Yes, the body changes significantly during pregnancy. However, the idea that these changes are necessarily difficult to live through is more of a myth. Every person experiences pregnancy differently.

“Morning sickness is inevitable when you’re pregnant.” 🤢

When we imagine pregnancy, nausea is often one of the first symptoms that comes to mind. So present in the collective imagination, it can almost feel like an unavoidable stage—but that’s not always the case. While many women do experience nausea (especially during the first trimester), others may have only occasional discomfort, and some may never experience it at all.

This diversity can sometimes come as a surprise. Some expectant mothers even worry when they don’t experience the symptoms they were expecting. Rest assured: the absence of nausea does not mean there is a problem.

Every pregnancy has its own “language,” and symptoms like nausea are not a reliable indicator for comparing your experience with others.

👉 Verdict: Myth. Nausea is common, but far from universal.

“A pregnant woman has very specific cravings.” 🍓

Between the famous cravings, unusual food pairings, and sudden, very specific urges, food cravings take up a big place in pregnancy stories. We’ve all heard about a sudden desire for strawberries or chocolate… But in reality, while food cravings do exist, they are far from systematic.

Some mothers develop a preference for sweet foods, others for salty ones, and some notice no particular changes at all.

Many studies have explored the reasons behind these sometimes very specific cravings. While their exact origin is still not fully understood, several explanations have been suggested. The significant hormonal changes during pregnancy may alter the perception of taste and smell, while the body’s energy needs also gradually shift.

There is also a often-overlooked category: those who simply don’t crave anything in particular. In short, eating habits and sensations vary widely from one person to another—and sometimes even from one pregnancy to another.

👉 Verdict: Myth. Cravings do exist, but they don’t concern everyone.

“Many women love being pregnant.” 🎢

Pregnancy is often associated with the image of emotional rollercoasters, where one might quickly go from laughter to tears. This portrayal, while sometimes a bit caricatured, does contain a degree of truth.

During this period, many changes overlap. Hormonal fluctuations play a role, but they are also accompanied by fatigue, physical changes, questions about future parenthood, and the anticipation of a life in transition. All of this can make certain emotions feel more present, more intense, and sometimes harder to step back from.

However, this does not mean that all pregnant women experience heightened emotional intensity. While some go through pregnancy with great serenity, others may simply notice a slightly increased sensitivity.

The key is to understand that this emotional intensity is neither systematic nor abnormal. It is one of the possible experiences of pregnancy, with wide variations from one person to another.

👉 Verdict: Reality. Even if not all women experience true emotional rollercoasters, it is common for certain emotions to feel more present or more intense during this period.

“Libido disappears for nine months.” 🔞

Pregnancy sexuality is often surrounded by misconceptions. One of them is the idea that desire quickly disappears from the very first weeks of pregnancy. In reality, things are much more nuanced: hormonal changes, fatigue, emotions, or physical discomfort can indeed lead to a decrease in libido for some people. And this reduction may last a few weeks or several months.

However, it’s also important to note that the opposite can happen. Some expectant mothers notice an increase in desire or discover new sensations linked to changes in their bodies, which can sometimes enhance libido.

Once again, there are many in-between situations, as every pregnancy is different. In some cases, libido fluctuates, with periods of lower desire and others where desire returns.

It’s also worth debunking another myth: having sex during pregnancy is neither dangerous nor harmful to the baby.

👉 Verdict: Myth. Libido can change, but it does not systematically disappear.

“Many women love being pregnant.” 🎢

It’s probably one of the most guilt-inducing misconceptions. Because pregnancy is often associated with a happy event, we sometimes imagine it must be an entirely joyful and fulfilling experience.

However, it’s possible to feel happy about becoming a parent while still finding pregnancy difficult, or even unpleasant. Between fatigue, discomfort, intense emotions, or simply a lack of enthusiasm for the experience, it can sometimes feel like a lot for an expectant mother to carry. And yet, all these feelings can coexist with the love one has for their future baby.

Similarly, some mothers may not enjoy pregnancy but feel very connected to the moment of birth. One doesn’t exclude the other. The opposite is also true: some women may love being pregnant but feel more apprehensive about childbirth. Everything is possible, and everything is valid.

What matters is this: pregnancy can be joyful, challenging, strange… or all of these at once.

👉 Verdict: Myth. There is no single way to experience this period—there are many.

What to remember from all of this 🫶

The key takeaway is that pregnancy cannot be reduced to ready-made patterns. Behind these common beliefs lie highly varied experiences—sometimes opposite, but all equally valid.

Some mothers will recognise themselves in several of these situations, others in none of them. Once again, every pregnancy is experienced differently from one woman to another, and there is no right or wrong way to go through it. This is precisely what makes pregnancy so unique. 💛

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Written by Bertrand Lamy
@tajinebanane