10 Crazy Pregnancy Beliefs That Reveal How Wild the Past Really Was

Pregnancy today looks very different from what it was like in our grandmothers’ time. Modern medicine, social progress, and easy access to information have transformed the experience completely. Decades ago, expectant mothers followed customs and beliefs that now seem surprising — or even strange. Let’s take a look at some of the pregnancy and childbirth traditions of the past and see how they compare to what happens today.

1. It was believed that rubbing a pregnant belly too much could harm the baby.

According to an old Chinese wives’ tale, a pregnant woman should avoid rubbing her tummy too often, as it could negatively affect the baby. In reality, gentle stroking of the abdomen is completely harmless and cannot cause a miscarriage.

2. Celebrity pregnancies were seen in a very different light.

Back when I Love Lucy was broadcast, comedian Lucille Ball was asked to hide her pregnancy. At the time, a pregnant woman appearing on a family show was unimaginable. In fact, the word “pregnancy” was forbidden on television.

Still, the producers decided to take a leap of faith after a while and Lucy became the first woman to show off her mommy bump on the small screen. Nowadays, a celebrity making their pregnancies public on social media or on television is commonplace and very well received by the public.

3. Fathers were not allowed to attend the birth of their children.

In the decades preceding 1970, the father did not have much involvement during the time of birth. According to Dr. Laura King, many thought the delivery room was no place for a man. But gradually, the idea of the male accompanying his partner during the event was implemented.

Today, fathers can attend the birth of their children, cut the cord, and announce the baby’s gender to other family members.

4. It was believed that the height of the belly determined the baby’s gender.

In the past, it was said that if the mother-to-be’s belly was facing upward, she would have a girl, and if it was facing downward, it would be a boy. However, this is a myth. In reality, both the height and shape of the belly depend on each person’s body and the position of the baby.

5. A woman was likely to be fired because she was pregnant.

Decades ago, mothers-to-be were ideally expected to stay at home and take care of the household. Because of this, many women were thrown out of their jobs. A teacher even said that being pregnant was considered a “bad role model” for students during the 1970s.

Today, however, if a woman chooses to work during her pregnancy, she is applauded, and in some countries, she is eligible for maternity leave.

6. Pregnant women didn’t exercise or engage in any other kinds of movement.

A popular medical opinion during the early decades of the twentieth century was that pregnant women should avoid fatigue and overexertion and, therefore, were told not to exercise. Many of these guidelines reinforced the idea that pregnant women were frail.

It wasn’t until the 1970s that moderate exercise began to be seen as safe, as long as the woman was healthy. Today, we can see many expectant mothers participating in activities such as yoga, pilates, or swimming.

7. It was believed that a mother’s beauty could reveal the gender of her baby.

According to an old myth, baby girls are said to steal their mothers’ beauty, while a mother who becomes more radiant during pregnancy is believed to be carrying a boy. In reality, however, morning sickness, hormonal changes, and a growing baby bump often leave expectant mothers feeling tired and dealing with breakouts — especially in the first trimester. So, pregnancy rarely brings out one’s “peak beauty,” no matter the baby’s gender.

8. Photographs in delivery rooms did not exist until the mid-1950s.

While photographs portraying this beautiful moment are commonplace today and are a memory every mother wants to treasure, in the 1950s, they were a very unusual concept. It wasn’t until 1953 that photojournalist Helen Brush Jenkins portrayed her infant son moments after birth. Gradually, this new type of photography was integrated into the birthing process and is very much appreciated today.

9. Women were required to “cover” their pregnancy.

In the past, women were encouraged to hide any signs of pregnancy. One of the common outfits in the 1940s and 1950s was a loose-fitting shirt, which helped to hide such a condition for a longer time. Today, however, women are not afraid to show their natural pregnancy belly.

10. The natural childbirth movement began as women tried to take back control from doctors.

During the 1950s and 1960s, growing concern emerged about the risks of using heavy anesthesia during labor.

Dense anesthesia:

• Had harmful physical effects on both birthing parents and their babies.
• Prevented birthing parents from actively participating in their own care or in caring for their newborns.

Moreover, the widespread use of such anesthesia shifted control of childbirth from the birthing parent (and their midwife) to the physician — who was typically male at the time. As the women’s movement gained momentum, it highlighted this imbalance of power and helped spark the natural childbirth movement. A strong belief took hold that women and birthing people — not their healthcare providers — should have authority over their labor experience.

Everyone wants to stay healthy, so it’s easy to believe advice that sounds like common sense. But over time, countless health myths have been passed down without question — until science stepped in to set the record straight.