Baby Gender Myths and Science
Forget ultrasounds—your grandmother’s “high belly means girl” wisdom still lives on in baby showers and family chats. But how much truth hides behind these charming old wives’ tales?
From craving sweets to swinging rings over your bump, we’re diving into the myths and the science to see what really sticks.
What Cravings May Mean
Some people believe that sweet cravings during pregnancy mean you’re having a girl, while a desire for salty or protein-heavy foods points to having a boy.
Although these ideas are popular, no solid proof links a mother’s cravings to a baby’s gender. Medical experts suggest that cravings likely result from changes in hormones, nutrition, or even culture rather than a sign of gender. Cravings can be different for everyone, and some people may not notice a pattern at all.
The Garlic Method
The garlic method is a well-known old wives’ tale for guessing a baby’s gender. According to this belief, if a pregnant person eats a lot of garlic and does not smell strongly of it afterward, it could mean they are expecting a girl. If the garlic smell lingers, people say it means you’re having a boy.
Pregnancy often affects sweat glands and body odor, which might explain why this test seems popular. Some believe the way a body reacts to garlic during pregnancy may give a clue, but no scientific proof supports this idea. This method is meant for fun and should not be relied upon for real gender prediction.
Nausea and Early Pregnancy
Morning sickness is common early in pregnancy, but how strong it is can vary. Many believe severe nausea means you’re expecting a girl, though there’s no science to prove it.
Some studies suggest that severe morning sickness, called hyperemesis gravidarum, happens more often in first pregnancies, those expecting twins or more, and sometimes when carrying a girl.
Glowing Skin and Hair Changes
Some believe that glowing skin and shiny hair mean you’re having a boy. Dull skin or breakouts, on the other hand, mean you’re expecting a girl. This idea comes from the old tale that daughters “borrow” their mother’s glow, leading to more skin problems for those expecting girls.
In reality, these changes are usually caused by hormones and increased blood flow during pregnancy, not the baby’s gender. Hormonal shifts affect everyone in different ways, making these tales more fun than factual.
Partner’s Changing Weight
Some people believe that if a pregnant person’s partner starts to gain weight during the pregnancy, it could mean the baby is a girl. This idea, often called “sympathy weight,” is a common part of old wives’ tales about predicting a baby’s gender.
Usually, changes in eating habits at home explain the increase in the partner’s weight. Pregnant households may have more snacks available or larger meals, leading both people to eat a bit more. These small changes over time can add up and cause the partner to put on extra weight.
Feeling Moody or Calm
Many old sayings suggest that mood changes during pregnancy can hint at the baby’s gender. One common belief links frequent mood swings to having a girl and a calmer mood to expecting a boy.
However, hormone changes, tiredness, and trouble sleeping affect everyone during pregnancy. These factors make it difficult to tell whether mood changes are actually related to the baby’s gender.
Mirror-Based Gender Guess
Some believe you can predict a baby’s gender by watching your pupils in a mirror. The idea is simple: stand in front of a mirror and watch your eyes for about a minute. If your pupils look like they are getting bigger, this old story says you might be having a boy.
Experts say pregnancy can change the eyes a bit, but no real science supports using pupil size to know your baby’s gender. This test is just for fun and should not be used to replace medical advice or professional guidance.
Bump Position: High or Low
Many people believe that the position of a baby bump can give clues about the baby’s gender. According to popular tradition, a higher bump suggests the baby is a girl, while a lower bump suggests it’s a boy.
However, bump position depends on many things, not just the baby’s gender. These factors can influence how the bump looks during pregnancy:
- Uterus size and shape
- Stage of pregnancy
- Baby’s growth rate
Some studies show that boys may grow slightly faster, which could lead to a lower bump, but the difference is small and not reliable for predicting gender.
Ring on a String Test
The ring on a string test is a playful method that some people use to guess a baby’s gender before birth. To do this, a person ties a ring to a piece of string, or sometimes a strand of hair, and holds it above the pregnant person’s belly.
If the ring spins in circles, tradition suggests the baby might be a girl. If the ring swings back and forth like a pendulum, it’s said to mean a boy. The materials used can vary, but the main idea is simple and doesn’t require special tools.
Heartbeat Rate and Gender
Some people believe that a baby’s heart rate can reveal its gender. According to this idea, a rate above 140 beats per minute suggests a girl, while a slower rate means it could be a boy.
The normal range for a fetus is usually between 110 and 160 beats per minute. This number can change depending on the baby’s movement or stage of pregnancy. Because of these changes, scientific studies have found no clear link between heart rate and the baby’s gender.
Chinese Gender Chart
The Chinese gender chart uses the mother’s age at conception and the lunar month when the baby was conceived to suggest if the baby will be a boy or a girl. The horizontal row usually marks the age, while the vertical column lists the months. The point where the two meet on the chart predicts the baby’s gender.
While some people enjoy using this tool as a fun part of pregnancy, it is not based on scientific evidence. This method is part of a long tradition linked to the Chinese calendar and is often treated as entertainment.
Blood Pressure Leading Up to Conception
Blood pressure before pregnancy may play a small role in the baby’s gender. Research suggests that women with higher blood pressure about six months before conception were slightly more likely to have boys.
While monitoring blood pressure before conception may provide some insight, it’s not a reliable way to predict gender. Still, it’s important to remember that many other factors can affect blood pressure. Stress, activity, and overall health all play a part.
For those considering this approach alongside other observations, it’s important to keep expectations realistic and remember that a medical provider should be consulted for all health concerns.
While science gives us clear answers, these old wives’ tales offer something else—fun, tradition, and a way to bond with loved ones during pregnancy.
So go ahead and try the ring test or count the cravings—but take each myth with a smile, not a diagnosis. After all, part of the magic is in the mystery.
