Can These Funny Old Wives’ Tales Predict Baby’s Gender?
Thanks to all the advancements in science, parents are able to find out baby’s biological sex sooner than the standard 20 week ultrasound. In fact, first trimester non-invasive prenatal tests can tell you if you’re having a boy or girl with near 100 percent certainty as early as 10 weeks.
It’s hard to believe that before ultrasounds became a routine part of prenatal care during the mid-1970s, moms-to-be and pregnant people had no choice but to wait until the actual birth to find out baby’s sex. It’s no wonder then that there are so many old wives’ tales for gender prediction and silly tests dedicated to finding out baby’s sex. These weird, wacky ways to (supposedly) predict baby’s sex have been passed down from generation to generation. While not scientifically accurate or proven, these fun and lighthearted baby gender predictors can help you pass the time as you anxiously wait to find out if you’re having a boy or girl. “I’ll admit that this time around the curiosity of baby’s sex is getting the better of me,” shares LuvLoveXO, a community member on The Bump. “I’ve done several online gender predictors and even peed on baking soda.”
If you’re up for some giggles, we’ve rounded up a bunch of other fabled (if not totally bizarre) gender prediction tests you can try at home. But remember, while these gender predictors are for entertainment only—it’s ultimately baby who will show you who they are in due time.
We get it—you’re desperate for some intel. Unfortunately, there’s no 100 percent accurate baby gender predictor. Most of these baby gender prediction tests are correct only around 50 percent of the time—meaning they’re about as accurate as flipping a coin. In fact, according to Meleen Chuang, MD, an ob-gyn and medical director of women’s health at the Family Health Centers at NYU Langone, despite how many old wives’ tales and gender tests there are to choose from, their overall accuracy is usually low. “These tales are often based on myths and superstitions rather than reliable methods of determining [sex],” she says. “These methods are not backed by scientific research and shouldn’t be relied upon for accurate results.” In short, these tests hold zero medical validity. Plus, Chuang says home baby gender predictor test kits that analyze your urine or blood aren’t reliable either, but there’s usually no harm in trying them as long as they’re not taken too seriously. (If you’re curious about how to find out baby’s sex using scientifically accurate methods, read more here.)
Old wives’ tales for gender prediction have been around for a very long time—longer than modern science—so it’s hard to pinpoint exactly when and where they originated. According to Diane Ortega, DNP, CNM, co-founder of the Willow Midwife Centers for Birth and Wellness AZ, they’ve been around for centuries and vary greatly between cultures. “Old wives’ tales were often used to explain natural phenomena, especially related to pregnancy and birth, before modern medicine provided us with evidence-based answers,” she says. “Before ultrasounds or genetic testing existed, these myths most likely began from a desire to find the meaning in early pregnancy symptoms.”
So what exactly are these old wives’ tales for gender prediction? Many of them—including the ones below—revolve around the many pregnancy symptoms you may be experiencing, as well as baby’s development in the womb.
Heart rate gender prediction
The folklore goes that if baby’s resting heart rate is over 140 beats per minute, you’re having a girl, and if it’s under that you’re having a boy. For reference, baby will start to have a consistent heartbeat around the six-week mark of pregnancy. That said, this claim isn’t backed up by scientific evidence. “Many factors can affect the fetal heart rate including gestational age, time of day and fetal activity,” Ortega explains.
Cravings gender test
There’s tons of anecdotal evidence for this storied boy or girl test. According to the old wives’ tale, if you’re craving sweets, you’re likely carrying a girl, and if sour or savory is your jam right now, you’re birthing a boy. “I had a girl, a boy and then a girl again. With girls, I craved fruit and sweets—there wasn’t enough pineapple in the world,” shares Yvonne C. B., a mom of three. “With my son it was meat—red meat! I barely ate it before I was pregnant, but I craved it so much I actually thought I was anemic.”
Dreams old wives’ tale
Pregnancy dreams can get pretty crazy, so don’t sweat it if you dream you’re marrying a fish or giving birth to your purse. But can these absurd dreams also indicate the sex of your future baby? This old wives’ tale says if you dream about a child of a certain sex, you’re carrying the opposite. “This was true for me,” says Christin Perry, mom of four. “I repeatedly dreamt of a girl while I was pregnant with my son.” Keep in mind, there are probably lots of other factors at work here too, as is always the case with dreams.
Mood old wives’ tale
Are you having major mood swings now that you’re pregnant, or are you over the moon all the time? If you are, we totally get it—there are a whole bunch of hormones at play here. But did you know some believe your mood is indicative of baby’s sex? This old wives’ tale for gender says moodiness and irritability are associated more closely with girl pregnancies, while a feeling of calm and contentment may indicate you’re expecting a boy. You may also just have an innate feeling based on your symptoms, as Destini R., mom of two, did: “I just knew. With my two boys the symptoms were so different, but I knew!”
Linea nigra gender test
Once you get to about the halfway point of pregnancy, you may notice a line of darker pigment that travels up the middle of your bump. It’s called the linea nigra, and it’s a perfectly normal part of pregnancy. But some believe it can indicate the sex of your growing baby! To use your linea nigra as baby’s gender prediction test at home, study it in the mirror. If it stops at your belly button, it means you may be having a girl. If the line continues all the way up to your ribs and chest, there’s a chance you’re pregnant with a boy.
Hair growth old wives’ tale
If you’re sporting a head full of luscious locks during pregnancy, this quirky gender prediction test says you’re probably carrying a boy, while dry, limp hair may mean it’s a girl. Similarly, excessive hair growth, often in places you wouldn’t prefer, can indicate you’re carrying a boy. Ahh, the joys of pregnancy!
Mine was pure intuition. The morning of our first anatomy scan I said to my husband, ‘I feel like I was destined to be a boy mom’—no explanation, just a feeling I had. We now have two boys.
Pregnancy acne gender prediction
Are you rocking a dewy complexion that’s free from acne? You could be expecting a boy! Or are you experiencing tons of breakouts during pregnancy? They say it’s all that extra estrogen from the girl you may be carrying. Mom’s complexion has long been a subject of debate when it comes to predicting baby’s sex.
Baby bump old wives’ tale
Is the shape of your bump more like a watermelon or basketball? Let’s face it, many pregnant bellies look like one or the other by the end of those nine long months. If you happen not to know baby’s sex by then, try this old wives’ tale! If your belly protrudes and seems to come to a point, like a watermelon, you may be carrying a boy. If it’s round like a basketball, you may be welcoming a girl. “In my first pregnancy, I had the perfect basketball belly. And, yes, I was expecting a boy! Coincidence? Probably. But it was still fun when I’d confirm for guessing strangers,” shares Lauren Barth, mom of three and associate content director for The Bump.
Morning sickness and nausea old wives’ tale
Morning sickness and nausea is one of the most dominant symptoms of pregnancy, so it’s not all that surprising there’s an old wives’ tale for gender prediction based on it. The story goes that if you have severe morning sickness, you’re pregnant with a girl. The nausea in pregnancy is a result of rising hCG hormone levels—and some studies have linked increased hCG with a female fetus. However, “the evidence isn’t conclusive,” Ortega states. “Nausea can vary widely for many reasons, regardless of baby’s gender.” Barth can confirm this anecdotally: “I was equally horrifically nauseous with my boy pregnancy as I was with my two girl pregnancies!”
Breast changes old wives’ tale
This is another old wives’ tale for gender based on breast changes, which is common pregnancy symptoms. “Some people claim that a larger left breast is an indication of having a girl, and a larger right breast a boy,” Ortega explains. “But there’s no physiological connection between breast asymmetry and fetal gender.” Instead the changes in breast size, shape, etc. that occur in pregnancy are related to hormones, rather than baby’s sex.
Your partner’s weight as a gender predictor
The myth goes that if your partner gains weight during your pregnancy, you’re having a girl. While there’s no scientific evidence to support this, the old wives’ tale likely came from what’s now known as couvade syndrome. This occurs when male, non-birthing partners experience pregnancy symptoms; it’s likely an empathetic response to their partner’s pregnancy.
Tests that are based on urine color, baking soda reactions or online quizzes aren’t evidence-based and are really more for fun than actual facts. DNA-based blood tests such as non-invasive prenatal screening, which is done as early as 10 weeks of pregnancy, are over 99 percent accurate in determining [sex]. The caveat is that they are primarily designed to screen for chromosomal conditions, not just gender.
Alongside symptom-based old wives’ tales for gender, there are also a bunch of fun “at-home tests” that tout baby’s gender prediction based on results. Most of these are safe to try at home, but take any “results” you get with a grain of salt, as there’s little to no scientific evidence behind these.
Drano gender test
Let’s get this one out of the way first. If you’re searching for ways to predict gender at home, you’ll likely stumble across something called the Drano gender test. We’re here to tell you not to do this one, as it can be harmful. This test calls for mixing urine with Drano to look for the color change, but it can produce noxious, harmful fumes, Chuang explains. There’s no reason to put yourself or baby at risk just for a gender prediction test (and a highly dubious one at that). If you’re keen on trying a gender test at home, keep reading for some safer alternatives.
Baby hairline old wives’ tale
Here’s a gender prediction you may not have heard about before. According to this old wives’ tale, in order to determine the sex of your next baby, look at the hairline on the nape of your current (or youngest) child’s neck. If their hairline comes to a peak in the middle, you’ll give birth to a child of the opposite sex. If it’s straight across, you’ll welcome another child of the same sex. “When I found out about this one, I looked at my baby’s hairline on her neck, and lo and behold, it’s straight across—which means, according to this gender prediction test, if I were to go for baby No. 5, I’d end up with a fourth daughter. Have mercy,” shares Perry.
Chinese calendar for gender prediction
Perhaps the most popular (non-medical) gender prediction test is the Chinese gender predictor chart. It’s got a storied history, and no one’s really too sure exactly where it came from. Some say it stems back to the Qing Dynasty, while others say it was discovered in an ancient tomb, but there isn’t evidence to back up either claim. In terms of how it works, the gender predictor chart uses the month baby was conceived along with Mom’s age at conception to predict baby’s sex. Wondering what your future could hold? Use our handy Chinese gender predictor calculator to plug in your information and see what it returns. Many moms, including Monica N., say the calendar works: “It was accurate with my last pregnancy and it has been with my friends’ and cousins’ pregnancies as well. I’m doing my bloodwork soon to see if it’s accurate again.”
On my nuchal translucency scan the gender guess was boy, and with this baking soda test, a boy too! It totally made fizzing noises, had bubbles on the side and only foamed a little bit at the top. But the Chinese gender chart said girl. We’ll see, but it was fun either way!
Baking soda gender test
To try out this super-popular gender test at home, mix equal parts first morning urine and baking soda and watch how it reacts. If it fizzes, you could be pregnant with a boy, but if it doesn’t react, there’s a good chance it’s a girl (or so the story goes).
Red cabbage gender test
Similar to the baking soda gender prediction test is the red cabbage gender test. Only this time, you’re looking for a certain color rather than a fizzy reaction. To perform this baby gender test at home, chop some fresh red cabbage and place it in a pot of water. Bring the water to a rolling boil, then let it cool and pour some of the cabbage water into a cup. Take a sample of your first morning urine and mix equal parts with the cabbage water. Swirl it around and see what color it turns. Pink or red supposedly indicates a boy, while purple means a girl.
Ring pregnancy gender test
Anecdotally, some who’ve tried the ring gender test say it seems to be accurate. “We did the ring test, and it was correct for both,” shares Alison R., mom of two. To do it, tie a string to your wedding ring, then lie down on your back and have your partner hold the ring by the string over your belly. Legend says if the ring swings in a circle, you’re having a girl. But if it swings back and forth, then you’re about to become a boy mom.
Swinging necklace old wives’ tale
The necklace gender test is nearly identical to the ring test, only you perform this one on your wrist. Why? No one seems to know. To take this test, use a necklace instead of a ring on a string. Place your arm on a table or another flat surface with your wrist facing up. Then, dangle the necklace over your wrist and bob it up and down a few times. Let it hover over your wrist and see what type of motion it makes once you stop bobbing it. If it moves in a circle, baby may be a girl. If it goes back and forth, you may be expecting a boy. (Or not!)
Mayan gender predictor test
Finally, a gender test that doesn’t require you to pee on anything or swing items back and forth! To perform the Mayan gender predictor test, all you need is a couple of numbers—specifically, the year baby was conceived and your age at conception. According to Mayan legend, if these numbers are both even or odd, then you’ll welcome a girl. But if one is even and the other is odd, it’s a boy.
Key gender test
Here’s an off-the-wall baby gender test that seems to have no basis in science whatsoever, but is still fun to try! According to this one, if a mom-to-be picks up a key by the long, skinny end, she may be pregnant with a girl. If she picks it up by the broad, round end, she may be carrying a boy. (Ummmm… okay!)
Wondering if baby’s going to be a boy or girl? Use the below gender prediction chart to see what the old wives’ tales say.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an old wives’ tale?
“An old wives’ tale is a traditional belief or superstition that’s passed down from generation to generation and doesn’t usually have any scientific basis,” says Ortega. Many of these have been around for centuries as a way to provide explanations for natural phenomenons (like pregnancy) before modern medicine and scientific discoveries.
How early can you find out baby’s gender?
The earliest you can find out baby’s sex is with a non-invasive prenatal screening test at 10 weeks, says Ortega, adding that results are usually highly accurate.
Who determines baby’s gender?
Baby’s sex is determined by the male partner. That’s because sperm (provided by Dad) carries either X (for a girl) or Y (for a boy) chromosomes, while eggs (provided by Mom) only carry X chromosomes. If baby’s chromosomes are XX, it’ll be a girl; if they’re XY, it’ll be a boy.
Is there a 100 percent accurate baby gender predictor?
The most accurate way to see baby’s sex is with invasive testing, such as amniocentesis or chorionic villus sampling, Ortega notes. However, while these tests are most accurate, they carry risks and are usually only done for medical reasons, such as chromosomal abnormalities or genetic disorders. Non-invasive prenatal testing is almost 100 percent accurate for sex determination.
Can you tell baby’s sex without an ultrasound?
Most people find out baby’s sex at the mid-pregnancy anatomy scan. “Ultrasound accuracy does depend on baby’s position, as well as the skill of the technician, but it’s generally fairly accurate by that time,” Ortega says.
There are tons of at-home tests and old wives’ tales for gender prediction out there. While they can be a fun way to pass the time during pregnancy, don’t rely on them for accurate results. Always speak to your provider for reliable information concerning baby’s sex, Chuang says, adding that medical procedures such as ultrasounds and genetic testing are the most precise way to make the call.
Remember, most of these myths have no basis in science and have only been “proven” through anecdotal evidence. “Old wives’ tales have woven their way into the magic of pregnancy for many generations. They’re fun to share with family and friends, and often laugh about,” Ortega says. “When it comes to truly knowing your baby’s [sex], it’s evidence-based modern medicine that holds the real answers. Whether you find out early or wait for that beautiful surprise moment at birth, at the heart of it all is the same wish: a healthy baby and a well-supported, well-loved parent.”
Please note: The Bump and the materials and information it contains are not intended to, and do not constitute, medical or other health advice or diagnosis and should not be used as such. You should always consult with a qualified physician or health professional about your specific circumstances.
Plus, more from The Bump:
Meleen Chuang, MD, is an ob-gyn and medical director of women’s health at the Family Health Centers at NYU Langone. She earned her medical degree from SUNY Stony Brook.
Diane Ortega, DNP, CNM, FACNM, is a certified nurse midwife and co-founder of the Willow Midwife Centers for Birth and Wellness AZ. She received her master’s degree from the University of Illinois-Chicago and has been in practice for 13 years, delivering more than 1,000 babies.
Human Reproduction, Maternal serum HCG is higher in the presence of a female fetus as early as week 3 post-fertilization, February 2002
Real Parent Perspectives:
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