Old Wives' Tales

August 12, 2015

A majority of people have heard of Old Wives' Tales when it comes to predicting a baby's gender. From the foods you crave to just how high you're carrying, there are a plethora of theories to guessing the sex of the babe. From the get go of this pregnancy I was so sure we were having a boy, a miniature husband. Turns out I was super wrong, and in fact baby Hill is a girl! Although I know what we're having, I thought I'd go through some of these age-old tales to see which ones held up and which ones did not.







Old Wives' Tale #1
  • If you're experiencing acne and other not-so-pretty skin blemishes then a girl is on the way. 
    • I typically don't experience breakouts, but that's been a different story with this pregnancy. 
    • Result: Girl


Old Wives' Tale #2
  • Dry hands and cold feet means you should break out the blue. 
    • My feet are always cold so no different there, but my hands have been dry, which is unusual for this time of the year.
    • Result: Boy


Old Wives' Tale #3
  • If your hair becomes thick and glossy, it's a boy. But, if it's dull and limp, it's a girl and supposedly she's stealing all of your beauty. 
    • My hair is certainly dull, limp, and thinning.   
    • Result: Girl



Old Wives' Tale #4
  • During the first trimester, if morning sickness plagued you heavily then it's a girl.
    • I was nauseous pretty much 24/7 during the first trimester, but I never actually got sick. I just always felt like I was on the verge of it. 
    • Result: Girl


Old Wives' Tale #5
  • Experiencing acne and other not-so-pretty skin blemishes means a girl is on the way.
    • I typically don't experience breakouts, but that was a different story with the first trimester of this pregnancy. However, now that I'm in the second trimester the breakouts have stopped.
    • Result: Undecided


Old Wives' Tale #6
  • According to these tales, a baby's heart rate can predict the gender. If the rate is above 140 bpm it means you're having a girl, and lower than 140 bpm means it's a boy. 
    • Baby Hill's heart rate was over 140 bpm.
    • Result: Girl


Old Wives' Tale #7
  • Being more clumsy means it's a boy, and if you're more graceful then it's a girl. 
    • I've certainly been clumsier. 
    • Result: Boy


Old Wives' Tale #8
  • Craving more salty foods means you're having a boy. And craving sweets means it's a girl. 
    • I started out craving lots of salty foods, and that has now switched over to craving my sweets.
    • Result: Undecided


Old Wives' Tale #9
  • Moodier rather than mellow means it's a girl.
    • Definitely moodier. Sorry husband! 
    • Result: Girl


Old Wives' Tale #10
  • The linea nigra, the dark line that appears during pregnancy and extends the length of your belly, stops at your belly button then it's a girl. If it goes past your belly button then it's a boy
    • My linea nigra stops at my belly button. 
    • Result: Girl


Old Wives' Tale #11
  • If your husband gains a noticeable amount of sympathy weight it's a girl. If he remains stable then it's a boy.
    • Husband hasn't fluctuated a bit. 
    • Result: Boy


Old Wives' Tale #12
  • Attaching your wedding band to a piece of string and hanging it over your belly will predict the gender. If the ring swings in a circular motion it's a boy. If it swings back and forth it's a girl. 
    • I had husband hold my wedding band on a string over my stomach and once his hand steadied, the ring started swinging in circles.
    • Result: Boy


TALLY TOTAL
  • Boy: 4
  • Girl: 6
  • Undecided: 2

So according to these results, the Old Wives' Tales actually do correctly predict that baby Hill is a girl. I'd love to know, did these Old Wives' tales ring true for you??