25 ways to ‘predict’ if you’re having a boy or girl

Posted in Pregnancy.

25 ways to tell if you're having a boy or a girl | Mum's Grapevine

We’re opening the book on ancient charts, old wives’ tales and grandma-tested ways to discover if you’re having a boy or a girl. Whether you believe in these sometimes strange ways to predict your baby’s gender or not, there’s plenty of fun to be had.

Of course, there are sure-fire ways to find out exactly what you’re having, including non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) or your 20-week ultrasound, but where’s the fun in that?!

Here are 25 fun ways to predict if you’re having a boy or a girl – and most you can do right now.

1. Left and right boobs

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Most of us already have asymmetrical breasts, but apparently in pregnancy, if your right boob is bigger than the left, you’re having a girl. On the flip side, if your left breast is the bigger one – it’s a boy.

2. Pee on baking soda

Pee on baking soda to predict baby gender

This one involves catching some wee in a cup and dropping some baking soda in. If it fizzes, you’re having a boy, if it stays calm, it’s a girl.

3. Length of belly line

Linae nigra

Some women get a distinct line from their pubic bone to the centre of their tummies during pregnancy, called linea nigra. The theory goes that if the line stops at your belly button, you’re having a girl. If the line goes up to your rubs and chest, it’s a boy.

4. Pregnancy glow or breakouts

Acne during pregnancy could be a sign of baby's gender

Some women positively glow during pregnancy, with beautiful dewy skin – and it’s said those lucky ladies are having boys. If your skin has returned to your teenage days of acne and breakouts, it’s apparently a girl for you!

5. Chinese gender prediction chart

Chinese gender prediction calendar

Based on the Chinese lunar calendar, the ancient Chinese gender prediction chart involves converting your age to your Lunar age and then matching it to the month you and your partner did the deed and conceived.

6. Mum’s weight

Pregnant belly on scales

One theory suggests that simply looking in the mirror will tell you if you’re having a boy or a girl. If your ‘baby weight’ is all in your bum and hips, it’s because you’re having a girl. If it’s a boy, you’ll be all belly.

5. Partner’s weight

advice first-time parents need to know

According to the old wives’ tale, if your partner is putting on a couple of extra kilos out of pregnancy sympathy, it could be because you’re having a girl.

6. It’s in the kicks

Feeling baby move pregnant foot STK si

Another theory is that boys are more energetic in the womb, so if you’ve got a zealous kicker on your hands, it’s a little fella. Apparently, girls are more chilled in utero.

7. Drano and wee

pregnancy constipation

Here’s another weeing gender prediction test – but this one comes with a warning. Once again, pee in a cup and mix in one tablespoon of Drano. If it turns green, you’re having a little princess. Blue means it’s a prince on board. However, Drano is pretty toxic stuff, so get your partner to do this prediction test for you.

8. Head shape

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You’ll need to whip out your ultrasound for this one. If your teeny tot’s head is square-shaped, the theory is that it’s a boy. A rounder shaped head means it’s a girl.

9. Eat garlic

Garlic

Love a good, garlicky curry? Apparently, if you can eat a heap of garlic but not smell like garlic, you’re having a girl. Any excuse we say!

10. The ring swing

Ring on a string to predict baby gender

This is an oldie – your grandma may have even tried this one. Get a ring (your engagement or wedding ring is perfect) and thread it through some string. Lay flat on your back and get someone to hold the ring suspended on the string over your belly. If it swings in a circle, it’s a girl for you. String moving back and forth? It’s a boy!

11. Mumma’s mood

crazy questions asked when pregnant facebook

Feeling a little moodier than usual (which is totally normal in pregnancy!)? Mummas who are having girls are apparently on the moodier side, while chilled mums-to-be are apparently having a boy.

12. Baby’s heart rate

Baby heart rate to predict gender

Pay attention to the heart rate next time you’re visiting your midwife or obstetrician. Legend has it the faster the heart rate, the more likely it is you’re having a girl. A heart rate below 140 beats for minute is more likely a boy, according to the old wives’ tale.

13. Dry hands

Clary sage oil for inducing labour

Finding yourself moisturising more than usual? Dry, chapped hands mean it’s more likely you’re having a boy. Smooth, supple hands? You’re apparently having a girl.

14. Let a three-year-old tell you

Older sibling predict gender of baby

In China, there’s a theory that a three-year-old can predict the gender of a pregnant woman’s baby. So if you don’t have a three-year-old yourself, make sure you ask the next one you meet!

15. Your pulse

Pulse rate for gender prediction

Get someone to place their fingers on the pulse point on your left wrist and then your right. If the pulse on your right wrist is stronger than that on your left, you’re having a girl. And vice versa for a boy.

16. Cravings

pregnancy cravings explained

The old wives’ tale goes that if you’re craving salty food, a baby boy is coming your way. Only lusting after sweet treats means there’s sugar and spice and all things nice on board.

17. The eyes have it

How your pupils can predict the gender for your baby

On the scale of ‘just a little strange’ to full-blown weirdness, this one is right up there. The instructions are to stare into the mirror for around a minute. If your pupils are dilating, it’s a boy for you.

18. Red cabbage

Red cabbage to predict baby gender

Just when you thought these gender predictions couldn’t get any stranger, this one involves red cabbage … and wee. Just boil up a head of red cabbage in water, and then take the cabbage out – reserving the water. Then just mix the cabbage water with a cup of your wee. If the water turns pink, you’re having a girl. A purple mixture means it’s a boy.

19. Side sleeping

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While we know that sleeping on your side during pregnancy reduces the risk of stillbirth, but did you know that it can also help you discover the gender of your baby. The theory goes that if you wake up in the morning on your left side, you’re having a boy. Mums pregnant with girls will wake up on their right side.

20. It’s all in the bump

Predict Labour signs in late pregnancy

There are plenty of people who subscribe to the theory that if your bump is rather rounded like a basketball, there’s a boy on board. If bump is more spread out, there’s a little girl inside.

21. The Mayan Gender Predictor

Mayan Gender Predictor

Similar to the Chinese Gender Chart, the Mayan Chart looks at the mum’s age of conception and cross-references with the month of conception to discover if bub is a boy or girl. The chart predicts that if both the mother’s conception age and month of conception are odd, a baby girl is on the way. Or if both numbers are even, it also means a baby girl. But if one number is odd and the other even, it’s a boy for you.

So here’s an example. If mum was 25 when she conceived and the month of conception was March, she’s having a girl. (via The Gender Experts)

22. Outie or innie

caring for your pelvic floors while pregnant

This theory centres around whether you get an outie belly button while pregnant. Apparently, a belly button that decides to pop out means you’re having a boy. If it stays in, it’s a girl.

23. The key trick

Key trick to predict baby gender

This old wives’ tale says that if someone puts a key down in front of your and you pick it up by the narrow part, you’re having a girl. Pick it up from the round part and it means you’re having a bouncing baby boy.

24. Morning sickness

When morning sickness is actually a good sign

This one all depends on when your morning sickness decides to disappear. If you’re still heaving at the mere thought of eating after the first trimester, then you’re carrying a girl. If you don’t get morning sickness or it only lasts for the first 12 weeks – you’re having a boy.

25. Pre-conception blood pressure

Blood pressure to predict baby gender

You’re going to need psychic powers for this one. A study found that the higher a woman’s blood pressure is, 26 weeks before conception, the more likely it is that she’ll have a boy. So if you happened to get your blood pressure checked a few months before you feel pregnant, just ask your doctor what it was.

 

How to tell if you're having a boy or girl | Mum's Grapevine

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