Birth & Baby-Care Myths That Still Sneak Into the Delivery Room—Debunked

Giuditta Tornetta
Jun 26
3 min read

By Giuditta Tornetta, CD/CLC, clinical hypnotherapist, (23 yrs, 1,100+ births)

Even in 2025 I still meet families—and occasionally clinicians—who quote outdated “rules” about childbirth and newborn care. Below is a rapid-fire myth check backed by the best data I could find. Use it to advocate for yourself (or your clients) the next time someone says “we have to…” without evidence.

Myth 1 – “Induce before 41 weeks or the baby could die.”

Large cohort reviews put the absolute stillbirth risk between 41–42 weeks at ≈1 per 1,000 pregnancies—comparable to everyday risks we accept, such as driving for four years. Routine early induction exposes every mother–baby pair to the side-effects of Pitocin to prevent one rare event. Informed consent means talking about both sides of that equation. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.govontariomidwives.ca

Myth 2 – “Breech equals automatic C-section.”

Careful, criteria-based vaginal breech birth carries a similar perinatal mortality rate—again ≈1 per 1,000—as many accepted medical procedures. Yet most hospitals have lost the skill. Seek out a provider who still trains in vaginal breech so you keep options open. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Myth 3 – “Once a cesarean, always a cesarean.”

Planned VBAC is endorsed by ACOG and Canadian & UK guidelines; pooled data show uterine-rupture-related death at 0–0.8 per 1,000—far lower than the cumulative surgical risks of multiple C-sections. Refusing VBAC on “policy” grounds is an institutional liability shield, not evidence-based care. ontariomidwives.ca

Myth 4 – “Get the epidural right away; it has no downsides.”

Early placement (<4 cm) is linked in several meta-analyses to longer labors (≈+30 min first stage, +15–45 min second stage) and maternal fevers in 15–25 % of cases—often triggering NICU observation and antibiotics for a perfectly healthy baby. Balance relief with movement, water, and doula support before committing. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.govpubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Myth 5 – “You don’t have milk; supplement so baby won’t starve.”

Up to 10 % weight loss is physiologic in the first week. If baby is alert, nursing 8–12 ×/day, and wetting diapers, milk is coming. Early formula changes gut flora and delays “gut closure,” raising infection and allergy risk; even one bottle shifts pH and bacterial species toward the formula profile. Protect the feed–sleep cycle instead of the scale. drjaygordon.compmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Myth 6 – “Avoid broccoli, garlic, onions—everything gives babies colic.”

Flavor compounds do reach milk, but multiple trials show most infants digest a wide variety of maternal diets just fine. When fussiness appears, run a simple elimination-and-retest rather than blanket bans; true food sensitivities are the exception, not the rule. Variety benefits baby’s future palate. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Myth 7 – “Colic is just gas; try drops.”

Gas volume actually increases after crying bouts, not before. Only 10–15 % of persistent criers have true colic (often dairy-protein allergy). For the rest, swaddling, side-lying, white noise, motion, or skin-to-skin usually calms the vagus nerve far better than simethicone. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Myth 8 – “One formula top-off won’t matter.”

Because an infant’s intestinal lining stays porous for weeks, early formula alters microbial seeding and antibody coating. Reserve supplementation for bona-fide medical need and, when possible, use donor milk. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Take-Home

Evidence rarely supports one-size-fits-all mandates. Ask for absolute risk numbers, request alternatives, and remember: your body, your baby, your call. Continuous doula care cuts non-medically-indicated cesareans and raises satisfaction precisely because we keep evidence—and your voice—front and center. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.govpmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov