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Key Highlights
- Most African pregnancy myths are not backed by science
- Modern research and healthcare offer safer, more reliable guidance during pregnancy
- We can respect our culture while letting go of fear-based beliefs that no longer serve us.
Sis (and bro, because you were probably the courier of these myths too), you may be in London, New York, Toronto, or Tokyo now, but the echo of your grandma’s voice whispering;
“Don’t eat snails when you’re pregnant or your baby will drool forever!” still rings in your head.
African pregnancy myths; those wild, oddly specific, sometimes sweet, sometimes terrifying beliefs—have crossed oceans and borders right alongside us.
They’ve survived immigration officers, visa interviews, and even the global pandemic. You may find yourself in an ultra-modern maternity ward, but still texting your auntie in Ogbomosho or Accra about whether it’s really okay to walk under the moon while pregnant.
Let’s debunk, deconstruct, and de-dramatize 7 African pregnancy myths that have followed us across the globe.
1. “Eating Okra Will Make Labor Slippery and Easy”
You might be in Paris, but if you’re eating okra in your third trimester, someone from back home will comment, “Ah, smart girl! You want your baby to just slide out like soap in water.”
Now, okra is a good source of folate and fiber. According to a 2023 article published in the Journal of Food Science & Nutrition, folate-rich diets reduce the risk of birth defects.
But… there’s zero scientific evidence that it acts as a labor lubricant. Your cervix is not a frying pan. You can’t just oil it and slide out a baby.
So yes, eat okra because it’s healthy. But don’t expect your delivery to be a Nollywood stunt scene just because you had two plates of okro soup.
2. “Don’t Eat Snails or Your Baby Will Drool Excessively”
This one is straight from the archives of classic African pregnancy myths.
Apparently, some village council somewhere decided that snails are spiritually connected to saliva. Therefore, if you eat snails while pregnant, your baby will spit like they’re auditioning for a reggae sound battle.
Excessive drooling in babies is totally normal, especially when they’re teething. It has absolutely nothing to do with what mama ate. Snails are actually high in iron and protein, which can be good for pregnant women.
But try explaining that to your mother-in-law who just found your escargot recipe on Pinterest. May the ancestors help you.
3. “Don’t Walk Under the Moon While Pregnant”
African pregnancy myths love a little celestial drama.
This myth says if you walk under the moonlight, spirits or witches might “steal” your baby or affect its destiny. So now, even in Sweden where moonlight is soft and poetic, you’re out there dodging moonbeams like it’s laser tag.
Historically, this fear may come from pre-colonial spiritual beliefs tied to lunar cycles and fertility. But in the 21st century, we know that moonlight is just reflected sunlight. It’s not a portal to the spirit world.
So sis, take that moonlit walk. Light exercise and fresh air are good for you and baby. And as for witches? They should fear you now. You’re raising a whole generation.
4. “Don’t Cross Your Legs or Baby Will Be Breech”
You sit with your legs crossed and aunty screams like she caught you stealing meat from the pot.
Truth: Breech positions happen in about 3-4% of pregnancies. They’re usually caused by uterine shape, placenta placement, or umbilical cord length, not whether you crossed your legs while gossiping with your girlfriends.
According to the Mayo Clinic, baby positioning is often determined by chance and space. That said, pregnant women should be mindful of posture for comfort and circulation.
Sitting too long in any position can cause discomfort, but it won’t determine your baby’s orientation. The womb is not an Uber—the baby doesn’t change routes because you crossed your legs.
5. “Don’t Look at Mirrors at Night While Pregnant”
Another one straight from the spiritual horror genre of African pregnancy myths.
According to this one, staring into a mirror at night will expose your unborn baby to spirits or bad luck. Ma’am, you’re just trying to check if your hairnet is still on. Next thing, you’re worried about summoning ancestral energies through your bathroom mirror.
Let’s get historical: Mirrors were once considered mystical portals in many African (and even global) traditions.
Nighttime was sacred and quiet, perfect for storytelling… and ghost tales. But today? That mirror just shows you how pregnancy has blessed you with that Beyoncé glow.
So, admire yourself. You’re gorgeous. And no, you’re not summoning ghosts, just baby kicks.
6. “If You Raise Your Arms or Carry Things, The Baby’s Cord Will Wrap Around Its Neck”
This one makes African pregnancy myths sound like a thriller novel.
Lifting your hands to hang laundry or pick up your toddler might lead to the umbilical cord becoming a noose? That’s a scary picture, and untrue.
A 2017 study published in Maternal Health, Neonatology and Perinatology confirms that nuchal cords (cords around the neck) are common, occur naturally, and are usually harmless. They’re caused by the baby’s movement, not mama’s.
So yes, don’t overdo it. Pregnancy isn’t the time to be lifting your couch like The Rock. But folding baby clothes won’t curse your child.
7. “If Your Nose Spreads, You’re Having a Girl. If You’re Glowing, It’s a Boy”
Here’s the gossip section of African pregnancy myths: predicting baby gender based on your face, hips, and appetite. It’s part humor, part nosiness, and 100% unreliable.
Spreading nose? Must be a girl “stealing your beauty.” Pregnancy glow? Ah, a boy is on the way!
These are less harmful, more humorous, but still unscientific. None of these signs can accurately predict a baby’s sex. Only ultrasounds or genetic testing can.
But we get it—it’s fun to guess. Just know that if your great-aunt’s predictions were wrong three babies in a row, maybe she should retire from the baby-gender Olympics.
Final Thoughts: A Little Myth, A Lot of Love
African pregnancy myths are part of our culture, woven into the stories, advice, and wild warnings passed from generation to generation.
They come from love, tradition, and sometimes fear. And while they’re not all rooted in science, they reflect a communal desire to protect mothers and babies.
But now that you’re abroad, with access to prenatal classes, nutritionists, and good ol’ Google—it’s okay to honor the culture while letting go of the fear. Laugh at the myths, educate your friends, and maybe even call home to teach Mama something new.
