The questions regarding my pregnancy have continued and as I get bigger more and more people get curious. About half the time I get asked now when I’m due or “how much longer?” but I still also get asked a lot “is it a boy or a girl?” (see “The Mystery Baby”). Now though I’m amazed at how many people think they should predict the gender when I tell them we don’t know. Most base their guesses on the shape of my belly so I thought it would be fun to look at the old wives tales people use to predict babies genders and see what it says and compare to how I carried my two girls.
Front vs. Side/Behind: This one I’ve seen two ways. Boys are always carried out front, girls are carried either wide or cause you to gain weight in the tush/hips. I have carried all three of my babes straight out front (you can’t even tell I’m pregnant from behind) which has caused nearly everyone to predict a boy every single pregnancy. Result: inconclusive (shape says boy but I carried two girls the same way).
High vs. Low: A high baby indicates a girl, low a boy. I’ve carried all three high until they engaged. I now get told a lot it must be a boy because I’m carrying low but does that mean it was a girl 2 weeks ago before it dropped? Result: girl (based on how I carried last two).
Cravings: Girls make mommy want sweets, boys cause salty and sour cravings. I definitely wanted sweets with both my girls. This time I haven’t had many cravings at all, just aversions (to everything sometimes). Result: boy? (based on being different than other two).
The heartbeat theory: Though not medically proven, the theory is if baby’s heart rate is on the slower side it’s a boy and faster predicts a girl. I have no idea what babies heartbeat is nor do I know what my girls’ were so no luck predicting on this one. Result: unknown.
The Pretty theory: This one is strange but the theory goes that a girl will suck the beauty out of her mother’s face so moms carrying boys will be prettier. I strongly feel my appearance has not been affected by this pregnancy any more than it was with the first two. Result: inconclusive.
Breakouts: Along with the pretty theory, this one says baby girls will make mom’s face break out and boys don’t. My skin has a monthly cycle, no matter what my body is doing. Every month my face breaks out and clears up. This has occurred throughout all my pregnancies, while breastfeeding and not menstruating and along with a normal monthly cycle. Result: inconclusive.
Morning Sickness: Basically, baby girls make you sicker than boys. Honeybun: nauseous all the time; Sugarplum: throwing up regularly; #3 no vomiting and almost no nausea (but tons of lightheadedness). Result: boy
The “linea nigra”: I’d never heard of this one before my research for this post. Apparently if the linea nigra (vertical line of hair many women get on their abdomens) goes to the belly button baby is a girl, all the way to the ribs predicts a boy. While my line is not noticeable from afar, I can pick out the glistening blonde hairs all the way to my ribs. Indicates a boy? Can’t say since I didn’t pay attention with my girls. Result: boy?
There are also two different “ancient” methods based on the calendar.
The Chinese Calendar: Based on month of conception and mother’s age at conception. Honeybun: Boy; Sugarplum: Girl; #3: boy.
The Mayan Calendar: Based on mother’s age at conception and year of conception. If both are odd or even then you’re getting a girl; one even, one odd, you’re getting a boy. Honeybun: Girl; Sugarplum: Boy; #3: Girl.
There are also tests which use a necklace, key or draino. But I’m not that interested in peeing in drano or bothering to have someone hold a necklace over my belly just to get a wild guess. Bottom line: there is no clear answer (there wasn’t on the last two either) and I can easily wait a few more weeks (to find out the gender anyways. Each day gets harder on my body to wait, though!)
