So you’re expecting a bundle of joy and the burning question on everyone’s mind is: Is it a boy or a girl? Before you run to the nearest ultrasound clinic or throw a gender reveal party that involves masses of confetti and explosives, let’s dive into the world of old wives’ tales to guess the baby’s gender!
Whether you believe in them or not, there’s a whole treasure trove of old wives’ tales just waiting to tell you what’s cooking in that baby bump. From galloping horses to bizzare food cravings, these tales might not have any scientific backing, but they are entertaining!
In my experience, some of these predictions were eerily accurate, while others missed the mark completely! My midwife even correctly guessed my baby’s gender at 16 weeks gestation using one of these age-old methods. Whether it was due to her expertise, experience, pure luck or perhaps a grain of truth in these well-known myths- who knows? If nothing else, it’s just a bit of fun!
So if you just can’t wait until that 20-week scan or you’re desperate to know if you’re going to be painting that nursery pink or blue – let’s see if we can figure out if you have a mini King or Queen on the way with some of these ancient predictions!
1. The Belly Shape Showdown
Here’s one that’s been passed down through the ages: the shape of your belly can reveal your baby’s gender. The folklore? If you’re carrying high and wide, you’re having a girl. Low and out the front? It’s a boy.
Reality Check: Sorry to burst the bubble, but your belly shape has more to do with your unique body than whether you’re baking a little lad or lass. Still, it’s a great excuse to show off that bump and let everyone guess away!
2. Galloping Horses or Train: The Magical, Mystical Heartbeat
It’s a Choo Choo train- its a boy! Well, my midwife was right! According to an old legend, if a baby’s heartbeat sounds like galloping horses it’s a girl and if it resembles the click-clacking of a train on tracks, it’s a boy. Along with this superstition, another sign people often consider is the baby’s heart rate. If it’s over 140 beats per minute, you might want to break out the pink streamers- it’s a girl! If it’s under 140, get ready with the blue balloons for a boy!
3. The Great Craving Conundrum
Sweet or salty? That is the question. Craving meats and savoury snacks? You’ve got a King on the way. Indulging in ice-cream, chocolate and all things sugar? You’re cleary having a Queen. Because science obviously says our hormones control the biscuit tin!
4. The Ring on a String Fiasco
Forget mood rings, this is the real deal. Dangle your wedding ring on a string over your belly. If it swings in circles, it’s a girl; if it swings back and forth, it’s a boy. Did you try best out of three? I did…
5. Morning Sickness Misery
Morning sickness got you hugging the toilet more than your significant other? According to old wives, you’re having a girl. If you’re breezing through your first trimester with the grace of a swan, it’s a boy (I found this to be true).
6. The Mysterious Chinese Gender Chart
Consult this ancient artifact and it will reveal all! Based on your age at conception and the month you conceived, this chart promises to tell you whether you are buying pink or blue. It’s like ancient astrology but with more spreadsheets and less Mercury in retrograde. It was another age-old method I personally tried that had surprising results!
7. Beauty is in The Eye of The Bump
They say a baby girl steals your beauty and a boy gives you the glow. If your skin is clear and radiant, this could be a sign that you’re having a bouncing baby boy. If you’re struggling with breakouts, then there’s a beautiful girl in that tummy. This was the complete opposite for me, however it was interesting to have a different experience with my son in comparison to my daughter. Pregnancy affects each woman differently, and skin changes during pregnancy are primarily influenced by hormonal shifts, not the gender of the baby.
8. Cool As A Cucumber or An Emotional Wreck?
The expectant mother’s emotions during pregnancy are often believed to be an indicator of the baby’s gender. According to this folklore, if you are experiencing mood swings, irritability, or heightened emotions, it’s a sign that you are carrying a girl. If you are even tempered and cool as a cucumber it’s a cool dude.
It’s important to note that mood swings during pregnancy are common due to hormonal changes and can happen regardless of the baby’s gender.
9. Partner Eating For Two Too
Noticing your significant other gaining sympathy weight with you? This could be a telltale sign that you have a girl bun in the oven. If your partner’s weight stays the same or getting trim, it’s a boy.
I’d advise to take this myth with a pinch of salt, as partner weight gain during pregnancy is more likely due to lifestyle changes, stress, or sharing in the pregnancy cravings, rather than the baby’s gender.
10. The Nub Theory
Although this isn’t an old wives tale as such, it is a well-known theory that some parents and sonographers use to predict a baby’s gender based on the angle of the genital tubercle during an early ultrasound, typically around 12 weeks into pregnancy.
If the nub is angled upward (more than 30 degrees) relative to the baby’s spine, it is often interpreted as a sign that the baby is a boy. If the nub is relatively horizontal or angled downward (less than 30 degrees), this is typically taken as an indication that the baby is a girl.
The Nub Theory is not 100% accurate. Studies and anecdotal evidence suggest that it’s accuracy can range from 70% to 90% but it is still considered an educated guess rather than a definitive method for determining gender.
Many parents enjoy using the Nub Theory as part of the fun of guessing their baby’s gender before it can be confirmed by later scans or tests, but it’s important to remember that it’s not a medically reliable method.
These old prophecies offer a hilarious and charming glimpse into how people once tried to predict the future without the advancements of modern technology. While none of these methods have any scientific basis, they do provide a delightful way to pass the time until you can officially learn your baby’s gender.
Ultimately, the only way to know your baby’s gender before they arrive is through a reliable ultrasound – or better yet, by waiting for that first cry in the delivery room. In the meantime, It’s fun to indulge in these whimsical theories while remembering boy or girl, your baby is already one-of-a-kind!
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