Boy or Girl? Old Wives Tales + Fun Ways to Predict Baby’s Gender

From the moment you know that you're pregnant, you're curious to figure out if you're going to have a girl or boy. While predicting the baby's gender before birth through ultrasound is illegal in India, playing a little guessing game with some prevalent old wives' tales won't hurt, and it can indeed be a lot of fun.

I just want a healthy, happy baby, so the whether it's a boy or a girl really doesn't matter. - Jamie Lynn Spears

Whether you're patiently awaiting your little one or want to play the guessing game, here are some of the wackiest pregnancy old wives' tales to help you reveal the gender of your little bundle of joy.

In This Article

• A. Fun Ways to Predict the Sex of Your Baby
• #1. Baking Soda Gender Test
• #2. The Ring Test
• #3. The Eye Test
• #4. The Skin Test
• #5. The Garlic Test
• #6. Pick Up a Key
• B. 20 old wives' tales for predicting gender
• #7. High versus Low Belly
• #8. Sweet versus Salty Cravings
• #9. The Fetal Heart Rate
• #10. Linea Nigra
• #11. The Color of Your Urine
• #12. Bump Shape
• #13. Moody versus Mellow
• #14. Pregnancy Acne
• #15. Beautiful or Dull Hair
• #16. The Breast Test
• #17. Morning Sickness
• #18. Heartburn
• #19. The Color of the Nipples
• #20. Your Sleeping Position
• #21. Extra Weight Measure
• #22. Monitor Date of Conception
• #23. Partner's Weight Gain
• #24. Cold Feet
• #25. Swollen Legs
• #26. Face Weight Gain
• Summary

Fun Ways to Predict the Sex of Your Baby

#1. Baking Soda Gender Test

Baking Soda Gender Test is one of the easiest DIY homemade pregnancy tests to determine the gender of a baby.

All you need to do is add two tablespoons of baking soda to a clean bowl and pour your first-morning urine sample over it.

If the mixture fizzles like beer or soda, you're pregnant with a boy. If there is little to no reaction, you're carrying a girl.

#2. The Ring Test

This old wives' tale is a bit of fun! Take your wedding (or any other) ring and tie it to a thread or a piece of hair. Then lie down, hold the hair/thread and dangle the ring over your belly.

If the ring swings in a circular motion, you could be having a girl. And if it swings back and forth like a pendulum, a boy is coming.

#3. The Eye Test

Stare into the mirror for about a minute.

If your pupils dilate, you may have a boy, according to the old wives' tale. If they don't, it means you're having a boy.

#4. The Skin Test

Is your skin dry, cracked, and peeling all the time?

You're more likely to be having a boy. But, if your skin is soft and smooth, you may be having a girl.

#5. The Garlic Test

Guess the baby's gender by eating garlic!

If you smell like it, you're carrying a boy. If there's no scent, it's a girl.

#6. Pick Up a Key

Without thinking anything, pick up a key!

If you pick up the key by the narrow part, you'll have a sweet little girl. If you pick it up by the round end, you'll have an adorable little boy.

GIRL OR BOY, YOU’LL BRING MUCH JOY!

20 old wives' tales for predicting gender

#7. High versus Low Belly

How you carry the baby is one of the most widespread old wives' tales to predict gender.

If you're carrying your baby low, you can expect a boy while carrying high means it's a girl.

#8. Sweet versus Salty Cravings

Sugar, spice, and sour, too? Your food cravings may give you an idea of your baby's gender.

If you crave for sweets like chocolates, desserts, juice, and fruits, expect a girl. But if you are more inclined to salty, sour, or even protein-rich foods, it might be a boy.

#9. The Fetal Heart Rate

Over the decades, the baby's heart rate has been a peculiar old wives' tale to predict the baby's gender.

Pay attention to your baby's heart rate during the ultrasound.

If the fetal heart rate is under 140 beats/minute (BPM), you're expecting a boy. And if it is beating faster, you're carrying a girl.

#10. Linea Nigra

Linea Nigra is the dark line that runs down from your navel to the pubic bone during pregnancy — and there's an old wives' tale about its length and the gender of the baby.

About 75% of women experience the linea nigra during pregnancy.

If the line extends from under your ribcage to your pubic bone, then you are probably going to have a boy. But if the line runs only from your navel down to your pubic bone, then you are likely to have a girl.

#11. The Color of Your Urine

What color is your pee? There is an old wives' tale associated with the color of the urine.

If your urine is bright yellow, you're having a boy. If it's light or dull in color, expect a girl.

#12. Bump Shape

Another popular old wives' tale is about the shape of your growing baby bump.

If you're carrying your baby's weight in front and your bump looks like a ball, it's a boy. And if your bump's weight is spreading out evenly around your middle, a baby girl is on the way.

#13. Moody versus Mellow

How is your mood?

If you feel moody most of the time, it's a girl. But if you're chilling out (feeling happy or mellow), you might be having a boy.

#14. Pregnancy Acne

According to this weird old wives' tale, girls steal away their mothers' beauty!

If your skin is glowing without any acne and chin spots, you may be having a boy. However, instead of a fresh glow, if you have acne breakouts or other types of skin blemishes, get ready for a girl.

90% of women who experience pregnancy acne are prone to breakouts during periods.

#15. Beautiful or Dull Hair

It's all in the hair!

If your hair looks dull, thin, and just a little bit lifeless, you have a baby girl within you who is sharing some of your beauty. However, if you have more lustrous and thicker hair than ever, you're about to give birth to a baby boy.

#16. The Breast Test

Which one of your breasts is bigger?

If it's the right, you might be expecting a boy. If the left breast is a little bigger than the right, you're more likely to have a girl.

#17. Morning Sickness

As per the American Pregnancy Association, morning sickness is the second most common noticeable sign of pregnancy.

Are you going through the worst morning sickness?

An old wives' tale states that women facing bitter moments of morning sickness are growing a girl. If not, then you're likely to have a boy.

#18. Heartburn

Nearly half of the pregnant women experience heartburn.

Another old wives' tale claims that if you're getting lots of heartburn during pregnancy, it indicates that your baby is a girl with lots of hair.

Conversely, if you experience just a little heartburn, you're more likely to have a baby boy.

#19. The Color of the Nipples

The color of your nipples can also be used to determine the gender of your unborn baby.

If your areolas surrounding your nipples are getting darker, you're probably going to have a boy. Otherwise, it's a girl!

#20. Your Sleeping Position

According to this old wives' tale, the direction you place your head during sleep in pregnancy has a direct connection with your baby's gender.

If you toss, turn and end up sleeping on your left side, then it's a boy. And if you prefer sleeping on your right side, you may have a girl.

#21. Extra Weight Measure

A woman with excess weight out front means having a girl, whereas weight around the hips and bottom indicates a boy.

#22. Monitor Date of Conception

If you had sex and conceived before ovulation, then it's said you're having a girl.

But, if conceived on the day of ovulation or two days after, then it's a boy.

#23. Partner's Weight Gain

This one is the most entertaining old wives tale!

If your spouse is gaining weight right along with you, then you're having a girl. But, if his weight stays the same throughout the pregnancy, you're expecting a boy.

#24. Cold Feet

If your feet are cold most of the time, don't blame the weather. Chances are you're having a boy.

If your feet are warm and cozy during pregnancy, it indicates a girl.

#25. Swollen Legs

If you experience swollen legs and ankles during pregnancy, you're having a boy.

If they are as lean as they were before pregnancy, you're expecting a girl.

#26. Face Weight Gain

If you have a noticeably fuller face throughout your pregnancy, you may be having a girl.

Otherwise, it's a boy!

Summary

Old wives' tales have been around for a long time. While none of them are scientifically proven, they still provide you a fun way to predict the gender of your baby. True or false, you can enjoy a wonderful bunch of predictions while awaiting the arrival of new life.

Every pregnancy is different, and so are the symptoms experienced by every pregnant woman. Don't be in a state of shock if you deliver a baby girl (or boy) despite predictions that indicate otherwise. Remember, your child is a blessing, no matter the gender.

Do you know of any other interesting pregnancy old wives' tales? You may share them in the comment section below.