Can You Really Tell The Sex of a Baby Without an Ultrasound?

Almost all pregnant women hear some myths about how to predict the gender of the baby once or twice. Gender prediction myths have a long history, dating back to ancient times. However, even to this day, when ultrasounds are available at an affordable price, many parents-to-be are still excited to test these myths. Let’s have a look at them and see if there is any science behind them.

The shape of your belly tells it all.

This is one of the most common myths of all time. It is believed that if a pregnant woman has a belly hanging low (or in front), she is expecting a boy and otherwise. Science has proven that belly shapes have nothing to do with the baby’s gender. In fact, how your belly looks depends largely on your body shape, your weight, your muscles and the position of your baby.

Fetus’ heartbeats can predict the baby’s sex.

Although this myth may sound like it is based on some science, it is actually not correct at all. Studies have shown no differences related to genders in fetal heartbeats. From the 30^th week onward, fetal heart rate likely decreases. As a result, heart rate cannot tell us anything conclusive, apart from the baby’s health.

If the mother-to-be loves sweets, she is having a boy.

The sweet tooth theory is another pure myth. Babies can love either sweets or sour foods, but only after they have gotten out of their moms. So, your baby is not going to make you eat any kind of foods for him or her. If you are desperate for a specific food, it probably has to do with your hormone changes rather than the angel in your belly.

A girl will make her mother feel sick all day.

According to this myth, bad morning sickness means you are anticipating a girl. While the hormones responsible for morning sickness are usually higher in women who are expecting a girl, women who are carrying boys experience bad morning sickness as well.

Your baby is going to be either a boy or a girl, so the chance of those myths being true is 50/50 – no more accurate than flipping a coin. If you really need to decide which color to paint your nursery room, get an ultrasound. Though these pregnancy myths may be fun to read and wonder, ultrasound and medical tests are the only ways to tell exactly the gender of your baby.

Hello Health Group does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.