Pregnancy is an exciting journey filled with many unknowns, and one of the most eagerly awaited pieces of information is your baby’s gender. While there is no surefire way to determine the gender of your baby without medical tests, many expectant parents look for signs and symptoms that could suggest whether they’re having a boy or a girl.
In this Antenatals article, we’ll dive into 25 signs that some people believe might indicate you’re having a boy, as well as how antenatal care and prenatal support can help ensure a healthy pregnancy. It’s important to remember that the only way to know your baby’s gender for sure is through medical tests like antenatal scans, but these signs can be fun to explore along the way!
1. Morning Sickness is Mild or Absent
One of the most common old wives’ tales is that if you experience mild or no morning sickness, you might be expecting a boy. Some studies suggest that mothers of boys may experience less nausea in the first trimester, although there is no scientific consensus on this link (Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 2017). Nonetheless, mild morning sickness is one of the signs some mothers-to-be believe indicates a baby boy.
2. Carrying Low
If your baby bump appears to sit lower on your abdomen, it’s commonly believed that you might be carrying a boy. Many people say that boys tend to sit lower in the womb, while girls are said to sit higher. However, your bump’s position is usually related to factors like your body type and muscle tone.
3. Craving Savoury Foods
While cravings can be different for every woman, it’s a popular belief that craving salty or savoury foods means you’re having a boy. If you’re reaching for chips, pickles, or cheese, you might be carrying a son, according to this old wives’ tale.
4. No Significant Changes in Your Skin
Some say that women expecting boys have clearer, less problematic skin during pregnancy, whereas carrying a girl might lead to more acne or skin blemishes. This could be due to hormonal changes during pregnancy, but it’s not scientifically proven to be linked to the baby’s gender.
5. The Shape of Your Baby Bump
The shape of your baby bump can be another sign that you’re having a boy. A common belief is that if your bump is more “pointed” or “round,” you’re carrying a boy. This may be related to your body type or the position of the baby but is not a definitive way to tell the gender.
6. A Faster Heart Rate for Your Baby
It’s often said that if your baby’s heart rate is below 140 beats per minute, you might be having a boy. However, this claim has been debunked by many studies, as fetal heart rate varies significantly based on the baby’s activity levels and stage of development (Journal of Fetal Medicine, 2019).
7. Hair Growth on Legs Slows Down
Another old wives’ tale is that if your leg hair seems to grow more slowly during pregnancy, you’re having a boy. The reasoning behind this myth is unclear, but many women have reported this phenomenon during pregnancy regardless of their baby’s gender.
8. You’re More Energetic Than Usual
Pregnancy hormones can cause fatigue, but some women report feeling more energetic and active when expecting a boy. According to this myth, if you’re feeling more alert and physically active, it could be a sign you’re carrying a son.
9. You’re Carrying Wider
It is thought that if your baby bump is wider and extends outward from your sides, you might be having a boy. This is based on the idea that boys are heavier and take up more room, although the shape of your bump is more likely to be influenced by your unique body and the baby’s position.
10. More Body Hair Than Usual
Some women notice they grow more body hair during pregnancy. According to old wives’ tales, this might be an indication of having a boy, as they believe boys result in increased levels of testosterone, which in turn leads to more hair growth.
11. Your Skin is Dry
Dry, itchy, or dull skin is often associated with carrying a boy in traditional myths. Some believe that boys cause a change in the way your skin reacts to pregnancy hormones, resulting in dry skin.
12. Feeling Hotter Than Usual
Pregnancy increases body temperature due to hormonal changes, but some women who are carrying a boy report feeling unusually hot. This is thought to be linked to the higher metabolic rate of male pregnancies, although this is purely anecdotal.
13. You Prefer Sleeping on Your Left Side
Pregnant women often change sleeping positions due to comfort. Some believe that sleeping on the left side during pregnancy is a sign of expecting a boy, although the most important thing is to sleep in a position that is most comfortable and healthy for you.
14. Your Baby Moves More Actively
If your baby is more active in the womb, especially during the second trimester, it is sometimes said that you’re having a boy. The idea is that boys are more energetic in utero, but fetal activity varies widely between pregnancies and does not correlate to gender.
15. A Longer Pregnancy
Some people believe that carrying a boy results in a longer pregnancy, with the baby arriving past the expected due date. However, the length of pregnancy is more likely related to your individual pregnancy history, genetics, and even your lifestyle.
16. Swollen Feet
If your feet and ankles swell during pregnancy, it could be a sign you’re having a boy, according to some myths. While swelling is common during pregnancy, it’s more likely caused by water retention and the pressure of the growing uterus, rather than the baby’s gender.
17. Your Baby’s Heartbeat is Slower
As mentioned earlier, the heart rate can be a big indicator, with a slower fetal heartbeat (below 140 beats per minute) linked to boys. However, this claim has no scientific backing and should not be relied upon for gender prediction.
18. You Have an Increased Appetite
If you feel hungrier than usual and crave hearty meals or protein-heavy foods, some people believe it’s a sign you’re carrying a boy. A healthy appetite is common during pregnancy, regardless of gender.
19. Your Nails Grow Faster
Many pregnant women experience faster-growing nails. According to some myths, if your nails are growing at a rapid pace, it might be an indicator you’re expecting a boy, although this could just be due to hormonal changes.
20. You’re More Competitive or Assertive
Some women find that their personalities change during pregnancy, with an increase in competitiveness or assertiveness. This trait is sometimes linked to carrying a boy, with the belief that boys bring out more confident, strong-willed behaviours in mothers.
21. The Shape of Your Face Changes
Some pregnant women report that their faces appear rounder or puffier during pregnancy. If you’re carrying a boy, some say this is a sign of the pregnancy’s impact on your body. However, facial changes are more likely due to the fluid retention that occurs during pregnancy.
22. You Don’t Experience Many Pregnancy Symptoms
If you find that your pregnancy symptoms, such as nausea or fatigue, are relatively mild, some believe this points to a baby boy. However, the severity of pregnancy symptoms can vary greatly from one woman to another.
23. Your Partner Gains Weight
This quirky sign suggests that if your partner also gains weight during your pregnancy, you’re likely expecting a boy. This phenomenon is sometimes referred to as “sympathy weight,” and while it is a known psychological effect, it has no relation to the baby’s gender.
24. Baby’s Position is More Active
If your baby’s movements are erratic and quick, it’s said that you’re likely carrying a boy. Again, fetal movements vary widely, and an active baby is not a definitive sign of gender.
25. Your Hair Is Thick and Lustrous
Some pregnant women notice that their hair becomes thicker, fuller, or more lustrous during pregnancy. If this is the case for you, many believe you’re having a boy, as it’s thought that higher testosterone levels from male pregnancies contribute to healthier hair.
The Importance of Antenatal Care
Regardless of any signs or myths, one of the most important things to focus on during pregnancy is antenatal care. Regular antenatal appointments with your healthcare provider ensure that both you and your baby remain healthy throughout the pregnancy.
Antenatal care includes routine scans (such as the 12-week and 20-week scans) that provide crucial information about the baby’s development and gender. Your antenatal clinic will guide you through your pregnancy and offer support in areas like prenatal yoga, antenatal massage, and other pregnancy care practices.
Antenatal support is essential to ensure a smooth pregnancy experience. Services like antenatal yoga, which is excellent for maintaining antenatal fitness, and prenatal massage, which can provide relaxation during pregnancy, can all contribute to a healthy pregnancy.
While there is no scientific basis for many of these old wives’ tales, they provide a fun and exciting way to speculate about your baby’s gender. However, the only reliable method to confirm your baby’s sex is through medical scans and tests during your antenatal appointments.
By attending regular antenatal checkups and seeking prenatal care, you ensure that your pregnancy progresses as smoothly as possible, allowing you to enjoy these exciting months in good health. No matter what the signs say, remember that every pregnancy is unique, and the most important thing is the health and well-being of both mother and baby.
References
- The Ultimate Antenatal Classes
Prepare for labour, birth, and baby care with nine experts, including senior NHS midwives and an award-winning obstetrician!
https://unii.com/en/journey/ultimate-antenatal-classes
