18 September, 2026
By User
Pregnancy and childbirth are life-changing experiences, but they are also surrounded by many traditional beliefs, social media claims, and well-meaning advice. Some common pregnancy myths may sound harmless, while others can create unnecessary fear or encourage women to ignore symptoms that require medical attention.
Understanding the difference between facts and myths can help expectant mothers make informed decisions about prenatal care, nutrition, exercise, labour, delivery, and recovery. Every pregnancy is unique, so advice should always be personalised according to the mother’s health, medical history, pregnancy stage, and the baby’s development.
Consulting the Best Gynaecologist in North Kolkata can provide reliable, evidence-based guidance throughout pregnancy and childbirth. Professional medical advice is particularly important when a woman has previous pregnancy complications, fertility concerns, or a condition that may require specialised monitoring.
Dr. Sukhamoy Barik is a gynaecologist and obstetrician providing comprehensive women’s healthcare in Kolkata. According to his professional profile, he completed his MBBS from Medical College, Kolkata, followed by postgraduate training in Gynaecology and Obstetrics. His professional experience includes advanced laparoscopic surgery, obstetric care, infertility management, and high-risk pregnancy care.
The clinic focuses on personalised, patient-friendly treatment and supports women through different stages of reproductive and gynaecological health. Patients can seek consultation for pregnancy care, fertility concerns, menstrual problems, menopause, and surgical gynaecology.
This is one of the most common pregnancy myths.
Pregnancy does not mean that a woman needs to double her food intake. Nutritional requirements change during pregnancy, but the appropriate calorie and nutrient requirements depend on factors such as the pregnancy stage, pre-pregnancy weight, activity level, and overall health.
A balanced diet containing adequate protein, vegetables, fruits, whole grains, healthy fats, and essential nutrients is generally more important than simply increasing food quantity.
A consultation with the Best Gynaecologist in North Kolkata can help expectant mothers understand appropriate nutrition and supplementation for their individual circumstances.
For many women with uncomplicated pregnancies, appropriate physical activity can be beneficial. Pregnancy does not automatically mean that a woman must stop walking, exercising, or performing all normal activities.
However, the type and intensity of exercise should be appropriate for the individual’s pregnancy. Women with certain medical or obstetric complications may require specific restrictions.
Before starting or continuing an exercise programme, discuss it with your healthcare professional, particularly if you have bleeding, significant pain, pregnancy complications, or other medical concerns.
A Caesarean section is a medical method of delivering a baby and may be recommended when vaginal delivery could pose risks to the mother or baby.
The decision regarding the mode of delivery should be based on medical circumstances rather than social pressure or the belief that one delivery method makes a mother more successful than another.
The goal of maternity care is a safe outcome for both mother and baby. The Best Gynaecologist in North Kolkata can explain the potential benefits, risks, and circumstances associated with different delivery options.
Vaginal birth can involve labour pain, although modern medical techniques can provide effective pain relief for appropriate patients.
Painless Normal Delivery in North Kolkata may involve pain-management options such as epidural analgesia. Whether an epidural or another pain-relief method is suitable depends on the mother’s condition, labour progress, medical assessment, and available facilities.
Women should discuss pain-management options during pregnancy rather than relying on stories from friends or information from social media.
The size and shape of a pregnant woman’s abdomen can vary because of factors such as body structure, pregnancy stage, fetal position, muscle tone, and previous pregnancies.
There is no reliable medical basis for determining a baby’s sex from the shape or position of the abdomen. Families should avoid relying on such traditional predictions.
Heartburn is relatively common during pregnancy and can occur because hormonal changes and the growing uterus affect the digestive system.
Although popular stories sometimes associate heartburn with the amount of hair a baby will have, heartburn should not be used as a method of predicting fetal hair growth.
Persistent or severe digestive symptoms should be discussed with a healthcare professional.
Despite its name, pregnancy-related nausea and vomiting can happen at any time of day. Some women experience symptoms primarily in the morning, while others may experience them throughout the day.
Mild nausea can be common during pregnancy, but severe vomiting, inability to keep fluids down, reduced urination, weakness, or significant weight loss requires medical evaluation.
A Pregnancy Check Up center in North Kolkata can help monitor maternal health and provide appropriate guidance when pregnancy symptoms become difficult to manage.
Infertility can have many possible causes, and the outcome varies from one individual or couple to another. Experiencing difficulty conceiving does not necessarily mean that pregnancy is impossible.
Appropriate evaluation can identify possible factors affecting fertility and help determine suitable treatment options.
Infertility Management in North Kolkata may involve assessment of menstrual history, ovulation, reproductive health, medical conditions, and relevant investigations. Treatment should always be individualised rather than based on online fertility advice.
A miscarriage can be emotionally and physically difficult, but one pregnancy loss does not automatically mean that a woman cannot have a successful pregnancy in the future.
When pregnancy losses occur repeatedly, medical evaluation may be recommended to investigate possible contributing factors.
Specialised Recurrent Miscarriages in North Kolkata care may include reviewing previous pregnancy history, medical conditions, reproductive factors, and appropriate investigations.
A pregnancy may be classified as high risk because of maternal age, previous pregnancy complications, multiple pregnancy, existing medical conditions, or other factors.
Being classified as high risk does not mean that complications are certain. It means closer monitoring and specialised medical care may be required.
High Risk Pregnancy Care in North Kolkata focuses on identifying potential risks early, monitoring the mother and baby, and developing an appropriate care plan throughout pregnancy.
Pregnancy does not permanently cure PCOD or PCOS. Symptoms and hormonal patterns can change during and after pregnancy, but PCOS is a condition that may require ongoing medical management.
Women with PCOD or PCOS who are planning pregnancy can benefit from professional guidance regarding fertility, weight management, metabolic health, ovulation, and pregnancy monitoring.
Appropriate PCOD or PCOS Treatment in Kolkata should be based on individual symptoms, reproductive goals, and overall health.
Bleeding during pregnancy should not simply be dismissed as a normal part of pregnancy. The significance of bleeding depends on factors such as the stage of pregnancy, amount of bleeding, associated pain, and other clinical findings.
Any unexpected or significant bleeding should be discussed promptly with a qualified medical professional. Severe pain, heavy bleeding, dizziness, fainting, or other concerning symptoms may require urgent medical attention.
Irregular periods, very heavy bleeding, severe menstrual pain, or prolonged changes in the menstrual cycle can sometimes be associated with underlying gynaecological or hormonal conditions.
Not every menstrual problem affects fertility, but persistent symptoms deserve appropriate evaluation.
Menstrual Disorders in North Kolkata can be assessed through medical history, examination, and investigations when clinically appropriate.
Not every gynaecological condition requires surgery. Depending on the diagnosis, symptoms, age, reproductive plans, and overall health, treatment may involve observation, medication, lifestyle changes, or surgery.
When surgery is necessary, different procedures may be considered. These can include abdominal Hysterectomy, vaginal Hysterectomy, or Laparoscopic Hysterectomy, depending on the patient’s condition.
For ovarian cysts or fibroids, procedures such as Laparoscopic Ovarian Cystectomy and Laparoscopic Myomectomy may be considered in appropriate cases. Hysteroscopic Surgery may be used for selected conditions affecting the inside of the uterus.
The appropriate procedure should always be decided after proper medical evaluation.
The practice provides care across different stages of women’s reproductive and gynaecological health. Services include pregnancy monitoring, delivery care, fertility evaluation, management of recurrent pregnancy loss, and high-risk pregnancy care.
Gynaecological services also include management of menstrual disorders, PCOD or PCOS, menopausal concerns, and selected surgical conditions.
Women experiencing Menopausal Problems in North Kolkata can receive guidance regarding symptoms, hormonal changes, bone health, cardiovascular considerations, and appropriate treatment options.
Pregnancy does not follow exactly the same pattern for every woman. Age, medical history, previous pregnancies, lifestyle, and existing conditions can influence pregnancy care.
Regular consultations allow healthcare professionals to monitor maternal and fetal health and identify concerns that may need further investigation.
A trusted doctor should explain available options, possible risks, expected benefits, and warning signs in language that patients can understand.
The Best Gynaecologist in North Kolkata can provide continuity of care from preconception counselling and pregnancy monitoring to postpartum and long-term women’s health.
Women should seek professional advice when planning pregnancy, experiencing difficulty conceiving, having repeated pregnancy losses, developing abnormal bleeding, experiencing severe pelvic pain, or noticing persistent menstrual changes.
During pregnancy, prompt medical assessment is important for symptoms such as significant bleeding, severe abdominal pain, severe vomiting, leaking fluid, reduced fetal movement after movements have been established, severe headache with visual symptoms, or other sudden concerning changes.
Not necessarily, but incorrect information can sometimes lead to unnecessary anxiety or delayed medical care. Important pregnancy decisions should be based on professional medical advice rather than unverified claims.
Some women with high-risk pregnancies can have a vaginal delivery, while others may require Caesarean delivery depending on their specific circumstances. The mode of delivery should be decided through medical assessment.
Pain relief can significantly reduce labour pain, but individual experiences vary. Options such as epidural analgesia can be discussed with the treating obstetric team.
Ideally, pregnancy care should begin early after pregnancy is confirmed. The timing and frequency of subsequent visits depend on the individual’s health and pregnancy requirements.
Many fertility problems can be evaluated and managed, although treatment and outcomes vary according to the underlying cause. Infertility Management in North Kolkata should begin with an appropriate medical assessment.
PCOS can affect ovulation and fertility in some women, but having PCOS does not automatically mean that pregnancy is impossible. Individual assessment and appropriate treatment can help address fertility concerns.
Yes. Women experiencing repeated pregnancy losses may benefit from a detailed evaluation to identify possible contributing factors and determine an appropriate management plan.
No. Laparoscopic surgery is not appropriate for every patient or every condition. The choice between laparoscopic and conventional procedures depends on the diagnosis, medical history, surgical considerations, and individual circumstances.
Pregnancy and childbirth should be guided by accurate medical information rather than fear, outdated beliefs, or social pressure. Myths about food, exercise, labour pain, delivery methods, fertility, miscarriage, and pregnancy symptoms can create confusion when they are treated as medical facts.
Consulting the Best Gynaecologist in North Kolkata can help women receive personalised guidance based on their health, pregnancy history, reproductive goals, and medical needs. Dr. Sukhamoy Barik provides comprehensive gynaecological and obstetric care, including pregnancy monitoring, fertility care, high-risk pregnancy management, menstrual health services, menopause care, and advanced gynaecological surgery.
If you are planning a pregnancy, currently pregnant, experiencing fertility concerns, or facing a gynaecological problem, consider scheduling a consultation to discuss your individual needs and available treatment options.