According to old wives’ tales, these pregnancy symptoms may mean you’re expecting a female baby. But can they be trusted? We’ve consulted with a physician to get an expert opinion.
Are you eagerly trying to guess the sex of your baby based on various signs and symptoms during pregnancy? Many expectant parents find joy in trying to predict their baby’s gender using old wives’ tales and myths. While it can be a fun guessing game, it’s important to remember that these tales are not supported by scientific evidence. Nevertheless, let’s take a look at some of the most popular ways to tell if you’re having a girl, according to old wives’ tales, and consult with a medical expert to get a doctor’s opinion.
1. Old Wives’ Tales Say You’re Having a Girl If…
You’re carrying high
According to one old wives’ tale, if your baby bump is resting high up, it could mean you’re carrying a girl.
The truth: Carrying high is actually more likely related to indigestion than the sex of your baby, according to Kameelah Phillips, M.D., IBCLC, an OB-GYN for Calla Women’s Health in New York City. The position of the baby and the number of pregnancies you’ve had before can impact the appearance of your abdomen and uterus, as well as how you carry pregnancy weight.
Your partner is gaining weight
Another old wives’ tale suggests that if your partner is gaining weight along with you, it could indicate you’re having a girl.
The truth: While it’s true that non-gestational parent weight gain is a real thing, there is no evidence to support a link between your partner’s weight gain and the sex of the baby, according to Dr. Phillips.
You have pregnancy acne
If your skin has started to break out during pregnancy, it might be a sign that you’re expecting a girl, according to an old wives’ tale that suggests “baby girls steal your beauty.”
The truth: Dr. Phillips debunks this myth as well. Acne and weight gain are common in pregnancy regardless of the baby’s sex, and it’s not fair to blame female babies for these symptoms.
Your morning sickness is severe
There’s a belief that girls cause more severe morning sickness, but there’s no scientific evidence to support this claim. In fact, studies have shown that pregnant individuals dealing with nausea and vomiting are slightly more likely to be carrying males.
The truth: No truth here. The severity of morning sickness is not indicative of the baby’s sex, and it can vary greatly from person to person and pregnancy to pregnancy.
You’re craving sweets
According to the old saying “sweet and spice and everything nice,” if your pregnancy cravings are leaning towards sweets, it could mean you’re having a girl, while cravings for salty or savory foods may indicate a boy.
The truth: Dr. Phillips dismisses this popular myth as well. There is no scientific evidence to support a direct relationship between your cravings and the gender of your baby. After all, baby boys can be just as sweet as baby girls!
Your urine is a highlighter yellow
Some at-home gender prediction tests claim to determine the baby’s sex based on how your urine reacts to different substances, with brightly colored urine indicating a girl, according to an old wives’ tale.
The truth: “Urine varies throughout the day and has much more to do with hydration, infection, vitamins, and diet than anything else,” says Dr. Phillips. The color of your urine is not related to the gender of your baby.
2. Science Says You’re Having a Female Baby If…
We get it: You’re dying to know the sex of your future child. But put those old wives’ tales aside, and read on for a few science-backed ways to find out definitively whether you’ll be welcoming a boy or girl.
Noninvasive prenatal testing (NIPT)
Around week 10 of your pregnancy, you’ll be offered a comprehensive genetic screening known as noninvasive prenatal testing (NIPT). It’s a blood test to screen for certain congenital disorders in the fetus. Your baby’s sex will be included in the test report that comes back from your doctor, so be sure to let them know before the report is read if you don’t want to know what you’re having.
Chorionic villus sampling (CVS)
If you opt to get a chorionic villus sampling (CVS) test done, which is performed between 10 and 12 weeks and screens for fetal chromosomal abnormalities, your doctor may also be able to determine the sex of your baby. This test involves taking a small sample of tissue from the placenta, and it is usually recommended for women who are at higher risk for having a baby with genetic abnormalities.
Ultrasound
Ultrasound is a common method used by healthcare providers to determine the sex of a baby during pregnancy. Typically, an ultrasound can accurately determine the sex of the baby around 18-20 weeks of gestation. During the ultrasound, the technician will be able to get a clear image of the baby’s genitals, which can reveal whether you’re having a boy or girl. However, it’s important to keep in mind that the accuracy of ultrasound in determining fetal sex can depend on various factors such as the position of the baby, the skill of the technician, and the stage of pregnancy.
Genetic testing
If you or your partner have a family history of genetic disorders that are linked to a specific gender, such as Duchenne muscular dystrophy or hemophilia, your doctor may recommend genetic testing to determine the sex of your baby. This involves analyzing the DNA of the fetus to check for the presence of specific genes associated with these conditions. However, genetic testing is usually only done in cases where there is a known risk of a genetic disorder and is not routinely done solely for the purpose of determining the baby’s sex.
In conclusion, while old wives’ tales may be fun to speculate about, there is limited scientific evidence to support their accuracy in predicting the sex of a baby. According to medical experts, pregnancy symptoms such as carrying high, partner’s weight gain, acne, morning sickness, cravings, urine color, and fetal heart rate are not reliable indicators of the baby’s sex. To obtain a more accurate and definitive determination of your baby’s sex, it’s best to rely on medical methods such as noninvasive prenatal testing, chorionic villus sampling, ultrasound, or genetic testing.
Remember, the most important thing is that your baby is healthy, regardless of their sex. Whether you’re having a boy or girl, your love and care as a parent will be the most significant factor in your baby’s well-being. So, enjoy the excitement and anticipation of your pregnancy, and rest assured that modern science provides reliable methods to determine your baby’s sex when the time is right. Congratulations on your pregnancy, and best wishes for a healthy and happy journey into parenthood!
