Which Pregnancy Symptoms Indicate Your Baby’s Gender?

For centuries, expectant parents have been curious about whether they’re having a boy or a girl. While only medical methods like antenatal scans can provide reliable answers, numerous old wives’ tales and anecdotal signs claim to predict a baby’s gender based on pregnancy symptoms.

In this article, we’ll explore these pregnancy symptoms, discuss their potential connections to gender, and consider how they fit into the broader picture of antenatal care.

How Reliable Are Pregnancy Symptoms for Predicting Gender?

Before diving into specific symptoms, it’s essential to understand that most claims about predicting a baby’s gender are based on folklore, not science. The only medically accurate methods are antenatal scans or genetic testing, such as non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT).

However, exploring these symptoms can still be a fun way to pass the time during pregnancy—just remember to take them with a pinch of salt!

Common Pregnancy Symptoms Said to Predict Gender

1. Morning Sickness Severity

Symptom: Intense morning sickness is often said to indicate a girl, while milder nausea is linked to having a boy.

What Science Says: Research suggests that higher levels of hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) hormone, associated with severe nausea, may slightly correlate with female pregnancies.

Connection to Antenatal Care: If morning sickness is extreme, seek advice during antenatal appointments, as it might signal hyperemesis gravidarum.

2. Cravings: Sweet vs Salty

Symptom: Craving sweets is thought to mean a girl, while a preference for salty or savoury foods suggests a boy.

Scientific Evidence: Cravings are more likely driven by hormonal changes and nutritional needs than gender.

Prenatal Care Tip: Discuss cravings with your provider during antenatal checkups to ensure you’re meeting your nutritional requirements.

3. Skin Changes

Symptom: Breakouts and oily skin are said to indicate a girl, as the baby “steals your beauty.” Clear skin suggests a boy.

Reality Check: Hormonal fluctuations during pregnancy can affect skin condition, regardless of the baby’s gender.

Relaxation Tip: Treat yourself to a gentle skincare routine or even an antenatal massage for some pampering.

4. Baby’s Heart Rate

Symptom: A higher heart rate (above 140 beats per minute) supposedly means a girl, while a lower heart rate suggests a boy.

Scientific Evidence: Studies have found no significant link between foetal heart rate and gender.

Anticipation and Antenatal Scans: The baby’s heart rate is often checked during antenatal clinic visits, offering a chance to hear their heartbeat.

5. Carrying High vs Low

Symptom: Carrying high is said to mean a girl, while carrying low indicates a boy.

Medical Insight: The way you carry is determined by your body type, muscle tone, and baby’s position, not gender.

6. Mood Swings

Symptom: Frequent mood swings are linked to having a girl due to higher oestrogen levels.

Science Says: Hormones, regardless of the baby’s gender, can cause emotional ups and downs.

Self-Care Tip: Practise mindfulness through prenatal yoga to help stabilise your mood.

How Antenatal Care Can Clarify Gender

While pregnancy symptoms are fun to speculate about, antenatal care offers accurate ways to determine your baby’s gender if you choose to know.

1. Antenatal Scans

Most parents learn their baby’s gender during the 20-week anatomy scan. This scan also checks for growth and development, making it a critical part of antenatal education.

2. Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing (NIPT)

For parents eager to find out early, NIPT can determine gender as early as 10 weeks by analysing foetal DNA in the mother’s blood.

3. Genetic Testing

Procedures like amniocentesis or chorionic villus sampling (CVS) can provide genetic information, including gender, but these are typically reserved for identifying potential genetic disorders.

Fun Ways to Guess Gender Before Your Antenatal Scans

If you’re not ready for a clinical reveal, here are some light-hearted activities to enjoy while waiting:

The Ring Test: Suspend a ring on a string over your belly. Circular movements suggest a girl, while back-and-forth swinging suggests a boy.

Chinese Gender Chart: Use an ancient chart that predicts gender based on your age and the month of conception.

Pregnancy Yoga Classes: While relaxing in a pregnancy yoga class, share symptoms with fellow mums-to-be and exchange gender guesses.

FAQs About Pregnancy Symptoms and Gender

1. Can Pregnancy Symptoms Accurately Predict Gender?

No. While symptoms can be entertaining to analyse, they’re not scientifically reliable for determining gender. Medical methods, such as antenatal scans, are the only accurate options.

2. What Should I Do if I Have Severe Symptoms?

Severe symptoms, such as extreme morning sickness or sharp abdominal pain, should be discussed during your antenatal appointments. They might indicate a need for additional care.

3. Can My Baby’s Gender Affect My Health?

Certain studies suggest slight hormonal differences in pregnancies with boys versus girls, but these don’t significantly affect maternal health.

Embracing the Journey

Speculating about your baby’s gender can add a layer of excitement to your pregnancy journey. Whether you’re analysing symptoms, enjoying a relaxing prenatal massage, or preparing for your antenatal clinic visit, remember that every pregnancy is unique.

If you’re unsure about any symptoms or want to confirm gender, speak to your healthcare provider during an antenatal appointment. Above all, enjoy this special time and the anticipation of meeting your baby!