There are many old wives’ tales which claim to be able to predict whether you are having a boy or girl, based purely on your pregnancy symptoms.
From the appearance of your bump to the degree of morning sickness you experience, you will probably have a few people trying to guess the gender of your baby during your pregnancy.
So, is there any truth in these predictions?
The short answer is no. There are no medically proven differences in pregnancy symptoms that will let you know if you are pregnant with a boy or a girl. The truth is, individual variations in pregnancy symptoms and hormones affect everyone differently, regardless of the baby’s sex.
Pregnancy is an exciting time, and it can be fun to guess the gender of your baby. We take a look at some of the old wives tales and the science behind them.
Morning sickness
If you are suffering from severe morning sickness, people may tell you it’s a girl. The truth is, morning sickness is caused by fluctuating hormone levels, and the experience differs from person to person, regardless of the baby’s gender.
Cravings
Sweet for a girl, savory for a boy – or so the saying goes. In fact, cravings are also due to hormonal changes and have nothing to do the baby’s sex.
Heart rate
Many believe that a heart rate over 140 bpm indicates a girl and below indicates a boy. The truth is that all fetal heart rates can vary within the normal range.
Glowing skin
A baby girl is supposed to leave your skin looking dull, while a baby boy makes you glow – not surprisingly, there is no evidence to support this one! In fact, most pregnant women notice some changes to their skin during pregnancy thanks to hormonal changes, regardless of the sex of their baby.
Bump position
Lots of people like to comment on a pregnant woman’s baby bump. Carrying low is supposedly a sign of a boy while carrying high is a sign of a girl. In fact, the carrying position is down to individual factors such as position of the uterus, muscle tone, and body shape.
Reliable ways to determine your baby’s sex
Remember, these old wives’ tales are just for fun and aren’t backed by any scientific proof. If you want to know the sex of your baby, then you need to see your doctor for a reliable medical test, such as ultrasound or blood tests, which can confirm the gender.