New research shows that many women are still confused about the truths and myths surrounding pregnancy.
More than 1 in 3 women believe taking raspberry leaf tea will help induce labour, and 2 out of 5 women don't think they can start exercising while pregnant.
Almost 18% of women also tuck into curry to help bring on labour, and 1 in 4 don't want to sleep on their backs while pregnant as they are worried they may hurt their unborn baby.
The research reveals that some women believe that if they are carrying a boy, their bump is likely to be all at the front and that drinking coffee can affect the skin of their baby.
Tommy's midwife Sharon Broad said, "Eating curries or drinking raspberry leaf tea will not, unfortunately, induce labour. There is no evidence to support this. I still speak to many women, however, who continue to eat spicy food and take raspberry leaf tea in late pregnancy hoping that either will bring on labour.
"Carrying a baby boy with your pregnancy bump all at the front, damaging your baby's skin by drinking coffee or hurting your baby by sleeping on your back are also modern myths. It's true that in later pregnancy sleeping on your side, supported by pillows, will be more comfortable and help boost your blood circulation."
Interestingly, although more than 1 in 3 women don't think they can start exercising while pregnant if they were not physically active before, almost 70% feel that those who do exercise can continue with their knee bends or lunges during that time. Opinion was divided, however, on whether or not women could cycle during pregnancy, with more than 2 out of 5 disagreeing that they should.
"This research continues to highlight the many different stories and myths on pregnancy. For example, pregnancy can be an excellent reason to start exercising. Although it's important to start off slowly, exercise will help your body to be in the best possible shape to cope with labour and giving birth. Deep lunges and knee bends would not be appropriate, neither would cycling in later pregnancy as your centre of gravity can change your sense of balance." said Broad.
The Tommy's survey also revealed that 1 in 3 women are still unsure about which foods they can consume while pregnant. Results show:
 2 in 3 women are puzzled about what types of cheese they can eat
Over half are not sure of what types of fish they can eat
Over half don't know if they can eat mayonnaise
Almost half are uncertain of the amount of caffeine they can take
1 in 3 don't know how long they should take folic acid for
1 in 3 are confused about the types of sandwiches they can eat
1 in 3 women are uncertain about the best sources of iron
1 in 3 women are confused as to how they should cook their eggs
1 in 5 don't know if they can eat pate
September 2009
Tommy's believe that it is unacceptable that one in four women loses a baby every year. Tommy's are a registered charity and they want to give every baby the best chance of being born healthy, so work to fund medical research into the causes of premature birth, stillbirth and miscarriage, and provide a free information service that educates all parents-to-be about health in pregnancy.
The Tommy's and Johnson's Baby survey was carried out on in July and August 2009 and 1232 women took part. | 
Pregnancy Advice London
