Old Wives' Tales Say You're Having a Male Baby If...
1. You're carrying low.
2. You're only putting on pounds around your belly.
3. Your partner isn't gaining weight.
4. Your skin is clear and glowing.
5. Your morning sickness isn't that bad.
6. Your urine is a dull yellow.
7. Your feet are always cold.
8. Your baby's heart rate is low.
Signs You're Having a Male Baby: Old Wives' Tales vs. Science:-
Old Wives' Tales Say You're Having a Male Baby If...
1. You're carrying low
According to one old wives' tale, if you're carrying the baby low, even before that much-anticipated "dropping" that occurs late in the third trimester before you go into labor, you may be pregnant with a male baby.
The truth: While carrying low can help you avoid some of that pregnancy indigestion, according to Kameelah Phillips, M.D., IBCLC, an OB-GYN at Calla Women's Health in New York, it doesn't necessarily mean your baby is a male. "It really depends on the position of the baby and the number of babies you've had that primarily impacts the appearance of the abdomen and uterus."
2. You're only putting on pounds around your belly
Can people tell you're pregnant from behind? If not, you may be pregnant with a male. So goes this myth, which states if you're "all belly," there's a good chance you'll welcome a male baby, but if you're carrying the excess weight in your hips, waist, and rear, you may be having a female.
The truth: "Again, not really," says Dr. Phillips. "This is mostly related to the pregnant person's size and shape, rather than a particular sex."
3. Your partner isn't gaining weight
On your own when it comes to this whole weight gain thing? This old wives' tale says there's a good chance you're having a male baby if your partner has been able to maintain their svelte physique even when the scale tips upward for you as the weeks progress.
The truth: If your partner happens to be a male, Dr. Phillips says this one doesn't hold particularly true: "While dad weight is definitely a thing," says Dr. Phillips, "it doesn't point to a particular sex."
4. Your skin is clear and glowing
Is your skin glowing or has your pregnancy been riddled with acne that could rival your teen years? The old (rather terrible!) saying states that "girls steal your beauty." So if you've truly got that pregnant glow, this wives' tale errs on the side of a baby boy.
The truth: Dr. Phillips says there may be just a hint of truth to experiencing a pregnancy glow, but it doesn't mean you should expect one sex over the other. "Often, glowing skin is associated with a male baby, but is more likely related to an increase in blood flow and volume," she says, which happens in every pregnancy.
5. Your morning sickness isn't that bad
Those early weeks of pregnancy can be tough, regardless of whether you experience morning sickness or not. Some amount of queasiness is normal for every pregnant person, but if your morning sickness is totally manageable, it's possible you're baking a male baby.
The truth: Recent studies have debunked this myth, stating that 80% of pregnant people experience some amount of nausea and vomiting during pregnancy, regardless of the baby's sex.
6. Your urine is a dull yellow
It's a good idea to take a cautious approach to any wives' tales having to do with urine—there are some at-home "gender prediction" tests that can be downright dangerous! But this one is pretty tame—simply check out the color of your urine to get a clue into your baby's sex. Bright yellow? You could be carrying a female, while a duller hue could indicate a male.
The truth: Sadly, Dr. Phillips flatly disagrees with this assessment: "Urine color, smell, and volume varies throughout the day and with hydration and diet. As such, there is no relation between urine and the sex of your baby. It's likely related to factors like fluid intake, presence of infection, and vitamin usage."
7. Your feet are always cold
Got cold feet? No, not about being pregnant (though that's perfectly normal!). If you find that your feet are always cold now that you're pregnant, one old wives' tale holds that you might be expecting a male baby.
The truth: Temperature changes are most likely due to normal hormonal fluctuations, says Dr. Phillips. "People complain about being both overly hot and cold at any point during the pregnancy, so it's not a reliable determination of the baby's sex."
8. Your baby's heart rate is low
You'll probably hear that amazing beating sound sometime around 8-10 weeks at one of your first doctor's appointments. And many people believe this treasured experience can also be one of your first possible clues into your baby's sex: male fetuses supposedly have a heart rate that's 140 beats per minute or slower, while females' hearts beat a bit faster, at 140 beats per minute or higher.
The truth: Numerous studies have proven this to be untrue.
What are the signs of a male child pregnancy?
