Old Wives’ Tales That Are Supposed to Predict Baby’s Gender

Finding out you’re pregnant is such an exciting moment. Immediately, your mind goes to planning and envisioning the future. What your baby will look like, how your family will form, how you’ll decorate the nursery… the list goes on and on. One part of this envisioning, though, is what gender your baby is, and when you’re pregnant, waiting until the doctors are able to tell you “boy” or “girl” can feel like forever.

Medical advancements have allowed us to know the gender of the baby sooner than before, but before technological advancements in the 1970s, many couples awaiting the arrival of their little one had to wait until the baby was born to find out their sex. During this time, many cultures developed less-than-scientific methods to attempt to determine whether the baby is a boy or girl. These methods have transformed into what we’d call old wives' tales today. They’re signs and tests that are rumored to give you a hint about what you’re having. Be cautioned: the only accurate way to predict your baby’s gender is through your doctor. But until you get the doctor’s results, these tales and tests may help you figure out if you’re pregnant with a boy or a girl.

For more on separating pregnancy facts from fiction, check out our Pregnancy Facts vs. Myths guide to get the real scoop on common pregnancy myths.

Signs You're Having a Girl

Acne

If your skin is looking less than clear, it’s possible you could be carrying a little baby girl. Rumor has it that girls tend to wreak more havoc on skin than boys.

Brittle Hair and Nails

Hair and nails weakening could be a sign that you have a little girl on the way. The tale is that she’s gaining her beauty from you, unfortunately leaving you with some cosmetic problems in the meantime.

High Baby Bump

Carrying high? That may be a clue that you’ve got a little lady with you!

Fetal Heart Rate Above 140 bpm

How fast is that little heart beating? If it’s a quicker one, signs point to that heart belonging to a baby girl.

Bad Morning Sickness

While morning sickness is fairly common across pregnancies, if it’s especially bad, it may be a little girl and the hormones associated with her causing this.

Craving Sweet Foods

She has to get her sweetness from somewhere! If you find yourself reaching for dessert more often than usual, you may have a girl on the way.

Signs You're Having a Boy

Clear Skin

Having that extra pregnancy glow? It may be a little boy on the way, clearing your skin and getting strangers to comment on how great you look.

Healthy Hair and Nails

Speaking of looking great, if you notice your hair and nails are looking extra fabulous, that may be a sign that you have a little boy on the way.

Low Baby Bump

Carrying lower may be a signal that you’ve got a little dude with you! The saying goes that lower baby bumps belong to baby boys.

Feet Swelling

If you’re having trouble getting your old shoes on, your little boy may be to blame. While pregnancy swelling is real regardless of gender, it may be a boy if you’re really noticing your feet growing.

Fetal Heart Rate Below 140 bpm

A slower beat may belong to a little dude! If you’re seeing less than 140 beats per minute when you get your first ultrasound, it may signal to prepare for a little boy on the way.

Craving Salty Food

If you’re reaching for chips or salty snacks more often, it may be a sign you have a little guy with you!

Gender Prediction Tests to Try

The Ring Test

Take a ring you wear often and find a string or take a strand of your hair. Steady the string, and then dangle it either over your left hand or your pregnant belly. If the ring swings back and forth, it’s a boy. If it swings in a circle, it’s a girl.

The saying goes that this test will predict all your children’s genders in order. If you steady the ring between answers, and when the ring comes to a stop, that means there are no more babies to predict.

Chinese Gender Prediction

The Chinese gender prediction chart predicts baby’s sex by pairing the mother’s birth date with the due date of the coming baby.

Sibling’s Hair Test

If this isn’t your first baby, you may get a clue for their gender from their older sibling! There are two old wives’ tales that say the next baby’s gender can be predicted depending on the hair of their older sibling.

Cowlick: If the older sibling’s cowlick swirls clockwise, you may have a girl on the way. If it swirls counterclockwise, then your next one may be a little dude.

Back of Hairline: Check the base of your child’s neck. If it comes to a point, your next child may be the opposite sex. If it is straight, you might be expecting the same sex as its older sibling.