Pregnancy is a time of profound changes in a woman’s body, and along with these changes often come questions, myths, and old wives’ tales about how to predict the baby’s gender. One such belief is that certain body changes experienced by the mother during pregnancy can indicate whether she’s carrying a boy or a girl. But is there any truth to this idea? In this article, we’ll explore the various body changes during pregnancy that are said to predict the baby’s gender and examine whether there is any scientific basis for these claims.

 Common Myths and Body Changes

Several common myths claim that certain physical symptoms or changes during pregnancy can predict the baby’s gender. While many of these claims have been passed down through generations, it’s important to remember that they are not scientifically proven. Here’s a breakdown of some of the most popular theories.

Carrying High vs. Low

One of the most well-known myths is that the way a pregnant woman carries her baby can predict the gender. The belief is that women carrying high are having girls, while those carrying low are having boys. The idea is that carrying low supposedly means the baby is boy-shaped and settles lower in the uterus, while a girl will “push” the belly upwards.

The Truth: There is no scientific evidence supporting this claim. A woman’s body shape, muscle tone, and the position of the placenta can all affect the way the belly appears. The height of the pregnancy bump is more related to a woman’s body type and how her uterus expands rather than the baby’s gender.

Morning Sickness Severity

There’s a popular myth that says the severity of your morning sickness can tell you the baby’s gender. Some people believe that if you’re dealing with severe morning sickness (also called hyperemesis gravidarum), you’re having a girl, while mild or no morning sickness means you’re having a boy. The idea is that your body reacts more strongly to a female fetus because of the hormones. 

The Truth: Morning sickness is super common in early pregnancy, and how bad it is usually depends on hormone levels, especially human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). Women carrying girls might have more nausea due to higher hCG levels, but it’s not a reliable way to predict gender. Lots of women carrying boys also experience severe morning sickness. So, while it’s an interesting theory, it’s definitely not a sure-fire way to guess the baby’s gender.

Changes in Skin and Hair

Pregnancy can lead to changes in a woman’s skin and hair, with some myths suggesting that these changes can reveal the baby’s gender. For example, it’s commonly said that women who experience acne or other skin problems are carrying a girl, while those who have clear skin are carrying a boy. Similarly, the condition of hair — whether it becomes shinier or more brittle — is said to offer clues.

The Truth: Pregnancy hormones, particularly estrogen and progesterone, can affect skin and hair, but these changes are not gender-specific. Acne can be caused by increased oil production due to hormonal shifts, and changes in hair texture can result from varying levels of hormones or a woman’s diet, stress, and overall health. There’s no scientific correlation between these changes and the baby’s gender.

The Shape of the Face

Some people believe that the shape of a woman’s face changes depending on whether she’s carrying a boy or a girl. The myth claims that carrying a boy will cause the mother’s face to appear fuller, especially around the cheeks, while carrying a girl might make the face look more gaunt or narrow.

The Truth: Facial changes during pregnancy are typically due to increased blood volume and fluid retention, which can make a woman’s face appear rounder. These changes are more related to pregnancy itself and the increase in circulation and fluid retention, rather than the baby’s gender.

Heart Rate of the Baby

Another myth that persists is that the baby’s heart rate can be an indicator of gender. According to this myth, if the baby’s heart rate is above 140 beats per minute (bpm), it’s a girl, and if it’s below 140 bpm, it’s a boy.

The Truth: While fetal heart rate can vary throughout pregnancy, studies have shown no conclusive evidence linking heart rate to the baby’s gender. Fetal heart rate is influenced by factors such as gestational age, activity levels, and maternal health, not the baby’s sex.

Scientific Methods for Determining Gender

While these myths are fun and part of the pregnancy experience for many, it’s essential to note that there are scientific ways to determine a baby’s gender — methods that are far more accurate.

Ultrasound

The most common method for determining the baby’s gender is an ultrasound. Typically performed around 18-20 weeks of pregnancy, the ultrasound uses sound waves to create an image of the baby in the womb. The technician can often identify the baby’s sex by looking for specific physical characteristics, such as the presence of a penis or the absence of male genitalia, which indicates a girl.

While the ultrasound is usually quite accurate, it is still possible for the gender to be misidentified, especially if the baby is in a position that makes it difficult to see clearly.

Genetic Testing

Genetic tests, such as the non-invasive prenatal test (NIPT) or amniocentesis, can also reveal the baby’s gender with high accuracy. These tests analyze fetal DNA present in the mother’s blood, detecting the presence of male or female chromosomes.

NIPT is highly accurate and can be done as early as 10 weeks into pregnancy. However, these tests are typically used to screen for genetic disorders rather than solely for gender determination.

Chorionic Villus Sampling (CVS)

CVS is a diagnostic test that involves taking a small sample of the placenta to test for chromosomal abnormalities. It can also reveal the baby’s gender by analyzing the chromosomes in the sample.

CVS is highly accurate but carries a small risk of miscarriage, so it is generally only performed when there is a concern for genetic conditions.

FAQs

What is a gender predictor?

A gender predictor is any method or tool used to guess the sex of an unborn baby. These can range from old wives’ tales, like chinese gender predictor and physical symptoms experienced by the mother to modern technology like blood tests and ultrasounds.

What is the most accurate method to determine my baby’s gender?

Ultrasound, usually done around the 20th week, can visually show the baby’s genitalia, while NIPT, which analyzes fetal DNA from the mother’s blood, can detect the baby’s sex as early as 10 weeks with high accuracy.

At what stage of pregnancy can gender prediction tests be done?

Answer: Gender prediction can be done as early as 10 weeks with NIPT, and around 18-20 weeks with an ultrasound. NIPT offers early, highly accurate results, while ultrasound is commonly used a bit later in the pregnancy.

What is the difference between NIPT and traditional blood tests?

NIPT is different from traditional blood tests because it specifically analyzes fetal DNA present in the mother’s blood, allowing it to accurately determine the baby’s sex and screen for genetic conditions. Traditional blood tests, like the first trimester screening, primarily assess the risk of chromosomal disorders, but they don’t directly predict gender.