Expecting a baby is an exciting time, and one of the most common questions on every expectant parent’s mind is: “Is it a boy or a girl?” While the only guaranteed way to determine your baby’s gender is through medical tests like antenatal scans, many parents enjoy speculating based on traditional signs and old wives’ tales.
In this Antenatals article, we’ll explore 25 signs that are believed to indicate you’re having a girl, along with insights into how antenatal care and prenatal support can help you throughout your pregnancy journey.
1. Morning Sickness is Severe
It’s often said that if you experience more intense morning sickness, it could be a sign you’re having a girl. A 2017 study from the Lancet found that mothers carrying girls tend to experience more inflammation when their immune systems are exposed to bacteria, leading to higher levels of nausea and sickness (Lancet, 2017).
2. Craving Sweets Over Salty Snacks
A common myth is that if you find yourself reaching for chocolates, cakes, and other sweet treats during pregnancy, you might be carrying a girl. In contrast, craving salty snacks like crisps is said to indicate a boy.
3. Glowing Skin and Thick Hair
The idea of the “pregnancy glow” is often associated with having a girl. It is believed that carrying a girl can give you thicker hair and glowing skin, though this is largely anecdotal and can vary from person to person.
4. Mood Swings
If your emotions feel like they’re all over the place, this could be a sign of a girl. Hormonal changes are more intense when you’re pregnant, and some believe that being more emotionally sensitive and experiencing greater mood swings may mean you’re expecting a daughter.
5. Carrying High
The shape of your baby bump is often thought to reveal the baby’s gender. According to popular belief, if you are carrying high, you’re likely to have a girl, while carrying low suggests a boy.
6. A Slower Fetal Heart Rate
One common belief is that if your baby’s heart rate is over 140 beats per minute, you’re having a girl. Although this has been widely debunked by science, it’s still a fun myth to consider during your antenatal appointments.
7. Craving Fruits and Vegetables
If you can’t get enough of fresh fruits and vegetables, some say this is a sign you’re carrying a girl. Healthy cravings are always a positive sign, no matter the gender, and it’s important to maintain a balanced diet throughout pregnancy.
8. Weight Gain Around the Hips and Thighs
If you find that your weight is predominantly accumulating around your hips and thighs, some believe this points to a baby girl. This is a common old wives’ tale passed down through generations.
9. Bad Skin and Acne
Some expectant mothers notice their skin becomes more prone to breakouts during pregnancy. According to folklore, this is because “a daughter steals her mother’s beauty,” indicating a baby girl is on the way.
10. Vivid Dreams of Having a Girl
Do you keep dreaming of holding a baby girl? Some say that vivid dreams about the baby’s gender could be your subconscious mind giving you clues. However, dreams aren’t scientifically linked to the baby’s gender.
11. Clumsiness
Another myth is that if you’re feeling clumsier than usual, you might be carrying a girl. Hormonal changes during pregnancy can affect your balance and coordination, but there is no solid evidence that links this to the baby’s gender.
12. Carrying More Weight in the Middle
If your baby bump looks more like a round ball, it’s thought to indicate a girl. On the other hand, if your bump is lower and more spread out, some say you’re having a boy.
13. The Baby Kicks Less Frequently
Another old wives’ tale is that baby girls are less active in the womb than boys. However, fetal activity varies from pregnancy to pregnancy and isn’t necessarily linked to gender.
14. Your Left Breast is Larger Than the Right
Many pregnant women notice that their breasts change in size during pregnancy. Some believe that if the left breast is larger than the right, it could be a sign of a girl.
15. Frequent Headaches
If you’re suffering from frequent headaches during pregnancy, some say this might indicate you’re having a girl. However, headaches are a common pregnancy symptom caused by hormonal changes and are not necessarily related to gender.
16. Hair Growth on Legs Slows Down
Some women notice a reduction in leg hair growth during pregnancy. If you’re experiencing this, an old wives’ tale suggests you could be carrying a girl.
17. Linea Nigra Stops at the Belly Button
The linea nigra is the dark vertical line that often appears on pregnant bellies. Some say that if this line stops at the belly button, you’re having a girl. If it goes past the belly button, the belief is that you’re having a boy.
18. Feeling Extra Tired
Fatigue is a common symptom of pregnancy, but some say that if you’re feeling especially tired, it could indicate a girl. This is thought to be due to hormonal changes that are more intense when carrying a girl.
19. Cold Feet
Some believe that experiencing cold feet during pregnancy could indicate a baby girl, although there is no scientific backing for this claim.
20. Having Odd Dreams
If you’re having strange or unusual dreams during pregnancy, some old wives’ tales suggest this could be a sign that you’re expecting a girl. Odd dreams are more likely to be caused by hormonal changes than the baby’s gender.
21. Baby’s Head is Positioned Low
Some people believe that if your baby’s head is positioned low in the womb, you’re more likely to have a girl. However, the baby’s position is more likely determined by their size and stage of development.
22. Dry Hands
If your hands are feeling particularly dry during pregnancy, this is said to be a sign of carrying a girl. While dry hands can result from hormonal changes or dehydration, it’s still fun to speculate!
23. You Prefer to Sleep on Your Right Side
If you find yourself sleeping more comfortably on your right side, some believe this is a sign you’re having a girl. Sleeping preferences during pregnancy are often based on comfort, especially as the baby grows.
24. Increased Appetite
Some believe that an increased appetite is a sign of carrying a girl, especially if you’re craving sweet foods. However, many pregnant women experience changes in appetite, regardless of their baby’s gender.
25. Having Frequent Mood Swings
Pregnancy hormones can lead to heightened emotions, and it’s said that carrying a girl causes more mood swings due to the extra surge in oestrogen. While mood swings are a normal part of pregnancy, some link this to having a baby girl.
Antenatal Care: Key to a Healthy Pregnancy
While these 25 signs are fun to explore, the most reliable way to find out your baby’s gender is through antenatal scans and medical tests. In the UK, the NHS offers routine antenatal appointments, which often include scans at around 20 weeks to determine your baby’s gender, if you choose to find out. These appointments are a vital part of pregnancy care, ensuring that both mother and baby are healthy.
Antenatal care also includes various prenatal support options such as antenatal yoga, antenatal massage, and antenatal education. These services can help you stay relaxed and informed as you prepare for your baby’s arrival. Many expectant parents find that pregnancy yoga classes or relaxation techniques such as antenatal massage can provide physical and emotional relief during pregnancy, regardless of whether you’re expecting a girl or boy.
Whether you’re relying on old wives’ tales or modern medical technology, discovering your baby’s gender can be an exciting part of your pregnancy journey. While none of these signs are scientifically proven, they are part of the fun and tradition that often surrounds pregnancy. For accurate results, attending antenatal clinic visits and discussing your options with a healthcare professional will provide the most reliable information.
As you navigate your pregnancy, remember that antenatal care is crucial for your health and well-being. From antenatal checkups to prenatal yoga, the support you receive during this time will help ensure a positive experience for both you and your 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
