When it comes to pregnancy, everyone seems to have an opinion or a piece of advice - especially when it comes to guessing whether you're having a boy or a girl. Long before modern technology and ultrasound machines, families relied on old wives’ tales to predict their baby’s gender. These folklore-driven theories, while often fun and light-hearted, have no scientific backing, but that doesn’t mean they’re not entertaining to explore!

If you’re looking for a bit of fun as you wait to find out your baby’s gender, here are some of the most common old wives’ tales—and a bit of insight into what they predict!

One of the most popular old wives' tales claims that the shape of your baby bump can predict your baby's gender.

• Low and Out Front = Boy: If you're carrying low and your bump is mostly in front, many people believe this means you're having a boy.
• High and Wide = Girl: A higher bump that seems to spread out across your belly is often said to mean you're carrying a girl.

Of course, the position of your bump is more related to your body type, muscle tone, and even how many pregnancies you've had, but it’s a fun one to guess!

According to this tale, your cravings during pregnancy can tell you whether you're having a boy or girl.

• Sweet Tooth = Girl: If you're craving sweets like chocolate, fruit, or pastries, you’re supposed to be having a girl.
• Salty & Savory = Boy: On the flip side, if you're reaching for chips, pretzels, or anything salty, it’s said to mean you’re carrying a boy.

While cravings are often related to hormonal changes and nutritional needs, it’s fun to see if your snack choices align with this age-old theory!

The severity of your morning sickness is another factor that old wives’ tales use to predict your baby’s gender.

• Severe Morning Sickness = Girl: The story goes that if you experience extreme nausea and vomiting during the first trimester, you’re more likely to be having a girl.
• Minimal Sickness = Boy: If your morning sickness is mild or non-existent, the tale suggests you might be carrying a boy.

Though morning sickness is influenced by many factors, including individual hormone levels and genetics, this one is a common guess for many!

Many people swear by the heart rate theory, which claims that the speed of your baby's heartbeat can predict their gender.

• Above 140 bpm = Girl: If your baby’s heart rate is consistently above 140 beats per minute, the tale says it’s a girl.
• Below 140 bpm = Boy: A heart rate under 140 bpm is said to predict a baby boy.

While some studies have shown no correlation between heart rate and gender, this is a fun guess to entertain during your routine check-ups!

Another common wives’ tale revolves around the condition of your skin during pregnancy.

• Breakouts = Girl: It’s believed that a baby girl “steals” her mom’s beauty, leading to breakouts, acne, or dull skin during pregnancy.
• Glowing Skin = Boy: On the other hand, if you’re glowing and your skin is clear, you’re said to be carrying a boy.

Hormonal fluctuations are often to blame for skin changes during pregnancy, but this one is fun for moms who love a good beauty-related myth!

For this test, you’ll need a string and your wedding ring (or any ring available).

• Circle Motion = Girl: If you dangle the ring over your belly and it starts to move in a circular motion, legend says you’re expecting a girl.
• Back and Forth = Boy: If the ring sways back and forth like a pendulum, you’re said to be carrying a boy.

There’s no science behind this one, but it’s an interactive test to try with friends or family!

Based on an ancient Chinese gender chart, this method uses your age at conception and the month you conceived to predict your baby’s gender.

• Girl: If the chart matches certain combinations of your age and the month, it suggests you’re having a girl.
• Boy: Other combinations will suggest that you’re having a boy.

There are plenty of online calculators to help with this, and while it’s purely for fun, many people claim this method has been surprisingly accurate for them!

There’s an old tale that suggests your feet can give you clues about your baby’s gender.

• Cold Feet = Boy: If your feet are often cold during pregnancy, it’s said to mean you’re having a boy.
• Warm Feet = Girl: If your feet feel warm or normal, legend says it’s a girl.

This could be more related to circulation changes during pregnancy.

According to this theory, your emotional state can reveal your baby’s gender.

• Moody = Girl: If you’ve been feeling extra moody or emotional during your pregnancy, you may be carrying a girl.
• Even-Tempered = Boy: If you’re generally calm and emotionally balanced, a boy may be on the way.

Since hormones impact emotions during pregnancy, this theory may have more to do with the individual than the baby’s gender.

While old wives’ tales are fun to explore, they are simply myths passed down through generations. In reality, your baby’s gender is determined at conception, and the most reliable way to find out is through medical procedures like ultrasounds or blood tests. But if you’re feeling playful and want to keep the gender reveal a little longer, these tales offer fun ways to make predictions and involve your friends and family in the guessing game.

In the end, the most important thing is to have a healthy pregnancy and baby—regardless of gender. Whether you're carrying a boy or a girl, you're in for an exciting journey filled with love, laughter, and plenty of joy.