Myths and Truths: You’re Having a Boy
March 3, 2023, by Dr Javed Iqbal
Old Wives’ Tales Say You’re Having a Boy If…
Here is an explanation of old tales regarding baby boy pregnancy and their truth according to scientific reasons and research by Dr. Javed Iqbal, a well-known homeo consultant (author of books and columns) and expert in gender selection:
You’re carrying low
According to one old wives’ tale, if you’re carrying the baby low, even before that much-anticipated “dropping” that occurs late in the third trimester before you go into labor, you may be pregnant with a boy.
The truth is, while carrying low can help you avoid some of that pregnancy indigestion, it doesn’t necessarily mean your baby is a male. It really depends on the position of the baby and the number of babies you’ve had, which primarily impact the appearance of the abdomen and uterus.
You’re only gaining weight around your belly
Can people tell you’re pregnant from behind? If not, old wives’ tales say you may be pregnant with a boy. So goes this myth, which states if you’re “all belly,” there’s a good chance you’ll welcome a boy, but if you’re carrying the excess weight in your hips, waist, and rear, you may be having a girl.
Again, not really. This is mostly related to the pregnant person’s size and shape rather than a particular gender.”
Your partner isn’t gaining weight
On your own when it comes to this whole weight gain thing? This old wives’ tale says there’s a good chance you’re having a boy if your partner has maintained their weight even when the scale tips upward for you as the weeks progress.
The truth is, this one doesn’t hold particularly true, either. While dad’s weight is definitely a thing, it doesn’t point to a particular sex.”
Your skin is clear and glowing
Is your skin glowing, or has your pregnancy been riddled with acne that could rival your teen years? The old (rather terrible!) saying goes, “Girls steal your beauty.” So if you’ve truly got that pregnant glow, this wives’ tale errs on the side of a baby boy.
The truth is, there may be just a hint of truth to experiencing a pregnancy glow, but it doesn’t mean you should expect one sex over the other. Often, glowing skin is associated with a baby boy but is more likely related to an increase in blood flow and volume, which happens in every pregnancy.
Your morning sickness isn’t that bad
Those early weeks of pregnancy can be tough, regardless of whether you experience morning sickness or not. Some amount of queasiness is normal for every pregnant person, but if your morning sickness is totally manageable, this myth says it’s possible you’re baking a baby boy.
The truth is, research has debunked this myth, finding that 80% of pregnant women experience some amount of nausea and vomiting during pregnancy, regardless of the baby’s sex.
Your urine is a dull yellow
It’s a good idea to take a cautious approach to any wives’ tales having to do with urine—there are some at-home “gender prediction” tests that can be downright dangerous! But this one is pretty tame—the myth calls for checking out the color of your urine to get a clue about your baby’s sex. Bright yellow? You could be carrying a girl, while a duller hue could indicate a boy.
The truth is that urine color, smell, and volume vary throughout the day and with hydration and diet. As such, there is no relationship between urine and the sex of your baby. It’s likely related to factors like fluid intake, the presence of infection, and vitamin usage.”
Your feet are always cold
Got cold feet? No, not about being pregnant (though that’s perfectly normal!). If you find that your feet are always cold now that you’re pregnant, one old wives’ tale holds that you might be expecting a boy.
The truth is that temperature changes are most likely due to normal hormonal fluctuations. People complain about being both overly hot and cold at any point during the pregnancy, so it’s not a reliable determination of the baby’s sex.
Your baby’s heart rate is low
You’ll probably hear that amazing beating sound sometime around 8 to 10 weeks at one of your first prenatal appointments. And many people believe this treasured experience can also be one of your first possible clues into your baby’s sex: male fetuses supposedly have a heart rate that’s 140 beats per minute or slower, while female fetuses’ hearts beat a bit faster, at 140 beats per minute or higher.
The truth is, numerous studies have proven this to be untrue.
