In the past, there wasn’t always a way to find out the gender of a baby before they were born. Now, people can take a blood test as early as 10 weeks or get an ultrasound at 20 weeks to determine if they’re having a boy or a girl.2 Pregnancy is one of the only times in life that you can truly experience a real surprise (if you choose), but if you’re a pregnant woman curious about the gender of your baby and want to compare your symptoms to some fun old wives’ tales, we’ve got you covered! None of these tales are scientifically proven, but they’re fun to try. I mean, there’s a 50/50 chance you will be correct. And you’ll find out the real answer around your baby’s due date. 😉
Old Wives’ Tales: Are You Having a Boy or a Girl?
Here are 20 old wives’ tales that might predict your baby’s gender:
1. Carrying High or Low
This is one old wives’ tale you will hear repeatedly throughout your pregnancy. According to legend, if you’re carrying high, you’re pregnant with a girl. If you’re carrying low, you’re having a boy.
2. The Shape of Your Bump
This is another one you’re likely to hear often. If you’re carrying all your extra baby weight out front, and it looks like a basketball, it’s a boy. If you’re carrying your pregnancy weight all over, it’s a girl.
3. Moody vs. Mellow
If you’re feeling a little moodier than usual, you might be having a girl because of all the extra female hormones. If you’re more relaxed and mellow, you’re expecting a boy.
4. Are You Craving Sweet or Salty?
This old wives’ tale to predict gender was accurate for me! If you crave sweet things like fruit, chocolate, and desserts, the stork might be bringing you a baby girl. Pregnancy cravings for salty, sour (like pretzels, french fries, and chips), or even protein-rich foods mean it might be a boy.
5. Morning Sickness
Legend predicts that you’re having a girl if you suffer from excessive nausea and morning sickness during your pregnancy. And you will have a boy if you didn’t throw up very much, or at all, during your pregnancy. Unfortunately, this pregnancy symptom doesn’t discriminate and often happens during the early weeks of pregnancy.3
6. Pregnancy Glow?
If people around you are commenting on how you’re glowing and your complexion is as bright and clear as ever, you could be having a boy. If people are asking if you’re feeling okay or tired and you’re breaking out, you might be having a girl.
7. The Linea Nigra
Some women are surprised to find a “dark line” appearing on their bump called the linea nigra.4 Rumor has it that if the line continues above your belly button and not just below, you’re having a boy. If it stops at your belly button and doesn’t continue above, you’re having a girl.
8. The Feel of Your Skin
Supposably, if your skin is drying out more than usual (you have dry hands), you can expect to have a boy. If your skin is silky smooth, you’re having a girl.
9. Cold Feet?
Are your feet feeling cold now that you’re pregnant? If so, you might be expecting a boy. If your feet are as warm as ever, you might be carrying a girl.
10. The Color of Your Urine
I know this sounds pretty strange, but if your pee is a brighter yellow than usual, it’s a girl. If your urine is a dull yellow, it’s a boy. (Obviously, hydration plays a big part in this, but if you’re consistent with your water intake, see if you notice any differences.)
11. The Eye Test
Go to a mirror and look into it for about a minute long. If you notice your pupils dilating, it means you’re having a boy. If they don’t dilate, it’s a girl.
12. How Does My Hair Look?
Some pregnant women have the most beautiful hair. Many people attribute it to taking prenatal vitamins, but there’s an old wives’ tale that can predict the gender of the baby according to your hair. If your hair becomes thick, full, and glossy, and you look like you stepped out of a Pantene Pro-V commercial, it means you’re carrying a boy. If your hair is dull and limp and hasn’t gotten any thicker, it’s a girl. The same goes for your body hair. If you have thicker and more body hair than usual, you’re having a boy. If it has remained normal, you’re having a girl.
13. The Ring Test
Out of all the old wives’ tales to predict a baby’s gender, this one is the most fun, in my opinion. 🙂 To perform the ring test, you’ll need a strand of your hair and a ring you regularly wear, like your wedding ring. Tie the strand of hair around your ring and lie down. Have someone dangle the ring over your baby bump and hold it still. If the ring starts to move in circles, you’re having a girl. If the ring swings from side to side like a pendulum, you’re having a boy.
14. The Garlic Test
This test could get stinky, so proceed with caution! If you can eat a lot of garlic but not smell like it, it means you’re carrying a girl. If you eat garlic and the odor seeps out of your pores, you’re having a boy.
15. Clumsiness
Some people are clumsier than others, but if you find yourself being clumsier than usual during pregnancy, it’s a boy. If you remain grounded and still in control of your body, it’s a girl.
16. One Boob Is Bigger Than the Other
It’s common to have one breast bigger than the other.5 It’s also common for your breasts to get bigger during pregnancy.6 And if you notice that your right breast is bigger than the left, you might be having a son. If your left breast is larger, you might be having a daughter.
17. Baby’s Heart Rate
Some say that baby girls have faster heartbeats than baby boys. So, pay extra attention to your baby’s heart rate at your next ultrasound. If the heart beats faster than 140 beats per minute (bpm), it’s a girl. If it’s lower than 140 bpm, it’s a boy. Also, wait until you’re past your first trimester since many baby boys have higher than 140 bpm in the first trimester. Baby boys’ heartbeats supposedly slow down after that point.
18. Your Blood Pressure
A study found that the higher a pregnant woman’s blood pressure is 26 weeks before she conceived, the more likely she is to have a boy.1 So, if you had a doctor’s appointment before trying to get pregnant, look back and see what your blood pressure was — it could be the scientific clue to whether you’re having a little girl or boy.
19. Partner’s Weight Gain
If your partner is gaining weight alongside you (also known as “sympathy weight”), that could be a sign that you’re carrying a girl. If his weight stays the same, it’s a boy.
20. Chinese Gender Calendar
Place one finger on the lunar age you were when you conceived — your age at conception. Next, place another finger on the month of conception, the lunar month. Where your fingers meet in the middle will tell you if you’re expecting a little boy or girl.
Are you ready to try out this fun Chinese gender chart? (This chart doesn’t guarantee the baby’s gender.) If you want to make it easier on yourself, visit our Chinese gender calendar and calculator to predict what you’re having!
So, based on these old wives’ tales, do you think you’re having a boy or a girl? Or if you have already had your baby, how many of these were true for you? Let us know!
