Pregnancy is a significant milestone in any woman’s life, and there are so many myths about how things ‘should’ be in pregnancy…
- You should wait until 12 weeks to announce your pregnancy.
- You should enjoy pregnancy, and your changing body.
- You should bond with your baby now, and be happy with their gender.
The myths about what pregnancy does to you…
- That you’ll get baby brain.
- That you’ll nest, ready for your baby to arrive.
- That you’ll be more emotional and sensitive, because, hormones.
And then there’s the things you get warned about…
- Needing to stay calm, because stress is bad for the baby.
- Cramming in all the sleep now, while you can.
There are so many cultural and social expectations about pregnancy, which you don’t always discover until you’re in the thick of them. They add to your load, or cause unnecessary concern.
The Pregnancy Myths Guide is a ground-breaking, evidence-based guide that shines a light on which myths are straight-up false or unrealistic, which ones have a grain of truth to them, and which ones are accurate. It’s relatable, and many women share their experiences of navigating pregnancy myths. There’s also psychological skills to help you overcome pregnancy myths and lighten the emotional load of pregnancy.
The Pregnancy Myths Guide is a book for all women navigating pregnancy. Build your confidence in yourself as you move through pregnancy, and create calm through the challenges.
Expert Praise for The Pregnancy Myths Guide
“Reading The Pregnancy Myths Guide as a mother of 4 and a Registered Midwife, I feel this book captures so beautifully the exact sense of confusion and pressure pregnancy can place on women. It speaks directly to the noise surrounding pregnancy: the myths, the “shoulds,” and the quiet anxieties pregnancy can create. I found myself reflecting on how much stress I carried back then, constantly second-guessing myself and wondering if I was doing things “right.” This guide gently unpacks those myths and replaces them with clarity and reassurance, something I wish I had access to during my own journey.
What resonated most was how the book acknowledges how vulnerable pregnancy can feel, especially when you’re young or lacking confidence in your decisions. It validates that overwhelm without amplifying fear, instead offering a grounded, supportive perspective that empowers you to trust yourself. That message alone is incredibly powerful for women.
The Pregnancy Myths Guide is more than just informative, it’s comforting and reassuring. It creates space for you to breathe, to question what you’ve been told to believe, and to approach pregnancy with a sense of calm and confidence. For anyone who has ever felt lost in the sea of advice and expectations, this book is a steady, reassuring voice that reminds you that you are capable, informed, and enough.”
— Natasha Johnston, Registered Nurse/Registered Midwife
“Wow – what a little gem of a book, filled with wit, wisdom and warmth. Dr Emma myth-busts pregnancy issues like the protective companion we all need when navigating the unchartered waters of pregnancy. Clearly written with digestible-length chapters, case examples and summaries, this is the book I wish I had when I was pregnant!”
— Dr Bronwyn Leigh, Clinical Psychologist, Director of Centre for Perinatal Psychology, Director of Perinatal Training Hub.
"This book IS the supportive companion through the transitional process of matrescence, ‘becoming a Mother’.
Thank you to Dr. Emma Black for this considered and insightful contribution, which will continue informing and supporting approaches to birth and early motherhood in the future.“
— Louise Thornton, Registered Midwife, Matrescence Coach, and Director of Shine Birth
Learn More
The Pregnancy Myths Guide is part of the Motherhoods Myths series, spanning from conception to postpartum.
More expert opinion about The Pregnancy Myths Guide is listed here.
The Pregnancy Myths Guide is available in bookstores (e.g., Dymocks, QBD, Mary Who? Bookshop, and more) and online retailers.
ABOUT OUR CONTRIBUTOR:
Dr Emma Black is a Perinatal Clinical Psychologist in Townsville and author of the Motherhood Myths series of books - Pregnancy Myths, Birth Myths, Conception Myths, Postpartum Myths.
