Boy or Girl? Can Old Wives Tales Tell us Anything?!

For generations, expectant parents have turned to old wives’ tales to predict the sex of their unborn baby. From the way you carry your bump to your food cravings, there are countless myths and superstitions about how to determine whether you’re having a boy or a girl. But how much truth is there to these old tales? Let’s take a look at some of the most popular sex prediction suggestions and see what the science says.

1. The Shape of Your Belly: One of the most well-known myths is that the shape of your belly can predict the sex of your baby. According to the myth, if your bump is high and round, you’re having a girl, while a low, wide bump means you’re having a boy. However, there’s no scientific evidence to support this claim – the shape of your bump is determined by factors like your baby’s position, the amount of amniotic fluid, and your own body shape.
2. Morning Sickness: Another myth suggests that if you’re experiencing severe morning sickness, you’re more likely to be carrying a girl. While it’s true that many people experience nausea and vomiting during pregnancy, there’s no evidence to suggest that it’s linked to the baby’s sex.
3. Baby’s Heart Rate: Another old wives’ tale is that if your baby’s heart rate is above 140 beats per minute, you’re having a girl, while a slower heart rate means you’re having a boy. However, studies have shown that there’s no correlation between foetal heart rate and sex.
4. Food Cravings: According to this myth, if you’re craving sweet foods, you’re having a girl, while a preference for salty or sour foods means you’re having a boy. However, there’s no scientific evidence to support this claim – food cravings are thought to be related to hormonal changes and other pregnancy factors.
5. Chinese Gender Calendar: The Chinese Gender Calendar is a popular tool used to predict the sex of a baby based on the mother’s age and the month of conception. While it’s fun to try out, there’s no scientific basis for this calendar, and it’s accuracy rate is no better than chance.

So, can old wives’ tales predict the sex of your baby? The short answer is no. While they can be fun to try out, there’s no scientific evidence to support these claims, and many of them have been debunked by research. The only way to know the sex of your baby for sure is through ultrasound or genetic testing. But whether you’re having a boy or a girl, the most important thing is that your baby is healthy and loved.