When a woman announces her pregnancy, she is bombarded with ideas, information, and suggestions on everything from nutrition to labor and birth.  As a result, although well-intentioned, the unsolicited advice can make the expectant mother's head spin.

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This overload of information can be overwhelming and make it difficult to sort fact from fiction. Hence, today we are going to debunk a few of the most common myths about pregnancy.

1. Myth: Morning sickness only lasts till noon.
   Fact:You can experience nausea throughout the day.
   Morning sickness includes symptoms like nausea, vomiting, and fatigue. Expectant mothers are more likely to experience these symptoms in the morning. However, it is common to experience these symptoms throughout the day. Morning sickness often ceases when you enter the second trimester of pregnancy.
2. Myth: You shouldn't have caffeine for nine months.
   Fact: You can enjoy caffeine in moderation.
   People usually assume that drinking caffeine during pregnancy is dangerous. However, studies have shown that low levels of caffeine do not cause any harm to the baby. So, you don't have to give up your morning cup of coffee. However, limit your caffeine consumption to 1.5 cups (12 ounces or less) per day.
3. Myth: You shouldn't exercise during pregnancy.
   Fact: Doctor-approved exercises are safe during pregnancy.
   Pregnant women need to avoid strenuous or high-impact exercises such as jogging, weight-bearing exercises, and stretching. But it doesn't mean that you should be a couch potato either. Depending on your activity level and health, your doctor can recommend a few low-impact exercises.
4. Myth: You shouldn't have a hot bath during pregnancy.
   Fact: It's safe to have a warm bath during pregnancy.
   A warm bath during pregnancy can soothe your body and help you relax. However, avoid too hot water as it can raise the body temperature and lead to overheating and dehydration. Hormonal changes during pregnancy can also make you feel warmer than usual.
5. Myth: You will have to get rid of your cat when pregnant.
   Fact: You don't need to give away your cat when pregnant.
   You don't have to give away your furry friend when pregnant. However, when pregnant, you should avoid changing the cat's litter box or use a pair of gloves. The health concern here is toxoplasmosis, a parasitic infection transmitted through cat feces. The infection can cause flu-like symptoms in adults and lead to serious birth defects in the baby.
6. Myth: Heartburn during pregnancy means the baby has a lot of hair.
   Fact: There is a correlation between heartburn and a baby's hair.
   At first, this might strike you as an old wives tale, but there's a little truth behind this. A study published by John Hopkins indicates there is a connection between heartburn and the hairiness of the baby. Heartburn during pregnancy is caused due to estrogen that causes the esophageal sphincter to relax and the stomach acid to reflux into the esophagus. Moreover, estrogen is also responsible for hair growth in the baby.
7. Myth: Eating peanuts or dairy products during pregnancy will make the baby allergic to them.
   Fact: It is safe to eat peanuts or dairy products during pregnancy.
   It is safe to consume peanuts or dairy products during pregnancy unless the mother herself is allergic to these products. There is no evidence to prove that avoiding certain foods will prevent the baby from being allergic to them. However, raw eggs, meat, and fish should be avoided during pregnancy.
8. Myth: You can predict the gender of the baby from the size of the baby bump.
   Fact: The gender of the baby cannot be predicted from the size of the bump.
   The position of the baby in your abdomen, the size of the abdomen during pregnancy, or the activity level of the baby in the womb, cannot predict the gender of the baby. It's always more joyous to wait until birth to find out the gender of the baby.
9. Myth: You need to eat for two when pregnant.
   Fact: You need to eat healthy food and not extra during pregnancy.
   You don't need to eat for two when you're pregnant. Your pregnancy diet will depend on your weight, activity level, and pregnancy trimester. However, you can always munch on healthy snacks such as fresh fruits and berries.
10. Myth: Creams can prevent or reduce stretch marks.
    Fact: Most of the stretch marks fade away naturally.
    Cocoa butter or other creams do not prevent or reduce stretch marks. However, they can be used to keep the skin moisturized. Most of the stretch marks fade away naturally over time.

Pregnancy is one of the most exciting phases of life. And it may seem like everyone you meet has some tips or tricks to help you navigate through this phase of life. Whether it's your family or friends giving you any advice, it's important to stay away from incorrect information and sort facts from myths. If you have any questions about pregnancy or baby, it's best to talk to your doctor and make sure that the information is correct.