Is It a Boy or a Girl: Fun Gender Prediction Tips

Congratulations, baby is on the way! But are you having a boy or a girl? The only real way to find out is with an ultrasound from your physician (and even that can sometimes be inaccurate). But, there are a lot of fun old wives’ tales that promise to predict your baby’s gender. Enjoy trying some of the following folklore-inspired, gender-prediction tests.

Morning sickness:

If you’re especially ill, the myth goes that you’re expecting a girl.

Belly bulge:

Another popular myth is that if you’re carrying baby low and just in the front (so that you don’t even appear pregnant from behind), it’s a boy. If your pregnancy belly is higher, and more a tire around your middle, a girl is on the way.

Heart rate:

Your OB/GYN will be tracking your little one's heart rate at each doctor's appointment. At your next visit, ask your doctor to share the heart rate with you. An old wives’ tale says that if Baby's heart rate is above 140 beats per minute, you’re carrying a girl — and if the rate is below, a boy is on the way.

Chinese calendar:

Based on your age at conception and the month in which you conceived, this ancient chart supposedly can predict baby’s gender. (Many charts are available online.)

Food cravings:

Some say that if you’re craving salty foods, a boy is on the way; and if you’re hungry for sweets, you’re pregnant with a girl.

Pregnancy acne:

Has your complexion taken a turn for the worse since you’ve become pregnant? Myth has it that there’s a baby girl growing in your belly — and she’s stealing all your beauty!

Wedding-ring pendulum:

Here’s a fun test to try: Take off your wedding ring, tie it to a string, hold the string by the end and see how the ring swings. If the ring swings in a circle, it’s a girl; if the string swings back and forth, it’s a boy.

Soft or dry skin:

Are your hands dry all the time? Myth has it that you’re expecting a boy. If your hands are soft, a girl is in your future.

Beautiful or dull hair:

Have your locks gone from fantastic to frumpy? If your hair has thinned or appears dull, you may be having a girl. However, if your hair has never been better, myth says you’re having a boy.

Baking Soda Test:

Grab the baking soda and head for your bathroom! This gender prediction myth states that if you mix two tablespoons of baking soda with your urine — and it fizzes — you’re having a boy. You may be having a girl if the mixture remains flat.

Preconception meal:

Do you remember what you ate before you conceived? Folklore claims that your pre-baby making meal may predict your child’s gender. A meal rich in dairy may bring you a girl. And a meal containing magnesium-infused foods — like nuts, soy, and green leafy veggies — may give you a boy.

Swollen legs:

Are your pregnancy legs big and swollen? If so, a boy may be on the way. If your legs are just as lean as they were before pregnancy, myth says you’re having a girl.

Graceful or clumsy:

Have you acquired a newfound gracefulness since becoming pregnant? You may be having a girl. But, if you are suddenly clumsier than usual, a boy may be on the way.

Dad’s weight:

Is dad-to-be gaining weight right along with you? Old wives’ tales say that you’re having a girl. But, if dad’s weight stays the same, you’re having a boy. Image: ThinkstockPhotos.com