Truth or Scare? 3 Childbirth & Pregnancy Myths Debunked
The internet is wild. But so is childbirth.
So let’s hang out for a minute while we bust three popular pregnancy and childbirth myths that just will not die.
Myth #1: You Have to Pump and Dump After Drinking Alcohol
This one floors people every time.
The myth:
If you drink alcohol, you need to pump and dump your breast milk to “clear the alcohol out” before breastfeeding again.
The truth?
Alcohol levels in your breast milk mirror the alcohol levels in your blood.
If your blood alcohol level is low, your milk alcohol level is low. Pumping does not remove alcohol from your system faster. That’s the myth.
Alcohol peaks in breast milk around 30–60 minutes after drinking and can be detected for about 2–3 hours after a single standard drink. The CDC defines moderate alcohol consumption as up to one standard drink per day. (Not a fishbowl. Not a box of wine. One standard drink.)
To be safest, many providers recommend waiting about 2 hours per drink before feeding.
Now — should you drink?
The safest option is no alcohol at all. Zero alcohol in you means zero alcohol in your milk.
But if you choose to have a drink after pregnancy, here’s what matters:
Your weight
How quickly you drank
Whether you ate food
How many drinks you had
How your body metabolizes alcohol
If you are needing to wait several hours before feeding, you can pump and dump for comfort and to protect supply. But pumping will not speed up alcohol clearance from your milk. Your body clears alcohol — not your pump.
Some providers use the guideline: if you feel sober enough to safely drive and care for baby, you are likely safe to breastfeed. But always confirm this with your own provider.
Source:
Alcohol | Breastfeeding special circumstances | CDC
Myth #2: Bigger Breasts Make More Milk
Nope.
Breast size is largely determined by fatty tissue — and fatty tissue is not what produces milk.
Milk production happens in the glandular tissue (milk ducts and alveoli), which increases during pregnancy and lactation. That’s why breasts often grow during pregnancy — it’s glandular growth, not just fat.
Most of the milk-producing tissue is located within about an inch of the nipple. That’s why effective latch matters far more than breast size.
I know plenty of women in the “itty bitty club” who were oversuppliers. And I’ve worked with women with very large breasts who struggled with supply.
Size does not determine output.
That said — we do expect to see some breast growth during pregnancy because of increased glandular tissue. A noticeable increase in cup size can be a positive sign of future milk production.
If you have not noticed breast changes during pregnancy, it may be worth connecting with an IBCLC for an assessment before baby arrives.
Source:
Does Breast Size Matter? | La Leche League Canada
Myth #3: Losing Your Mucus Plug Means Labor Is Starting
Oh man. If I had a dollar for every hopeful parent who came to triage holding their mucus plug…
First — you don’t need to bring it with you. I promise. We believe you.
The mucus plug is a thick collection of mucus that forms at the cervix during pregnancy. It acts as an extra protective barrier for baby.
If your cervix begins to dilate or thin, that plug can be pushed out. It may look:
Goopy
Clear, brown, or blood-streaked
Like thinner petroleum jelly
But here’s the important part:
Losing your mucus plug does not mean labor is about to start.
There is no set timeline. It could be hours. It could be weeks. It can even regenerate.
And some people never see theirs at all. (Hi. Me. Four babies.)
However — if you believe you’ve lost your mucus plug before 37 weeks, contact your provider right away. That’s considered preterm and needs evaluation.
Sources:
What does it mean to lose your mucus plug? | ACOG
What are the symptoms of labor? | ACOG
Final Thoughts
Pregnancy and childbirth are already overwhelming enough.
The last thing you need is myths floating around the internet making it scarier.
As always — be happy, stay healthy, have fun.
