The excitement surrounding pregnancy often leads to a plethora of old wives' tales and myths, especially when it comes to predicting the gender of the baby. While these tales have been passed down through generations, it's crucial to separate fact from fiction. Calling these old wives’ tales a continuous ‘bakwas,’ the Hindi word for nonsense, Dr Surabhi Siddhartha, Consultant Obstetrician and Gynecologist, Motherhood Hospital, Kharghar, spoke to the team of OnlyMyHealth to debunk six common myths associated with predicting the gender of the baby.
#1 Cravings
Myth: If you're craving sweets, it's a girl; if it's salty or savoury, it's a boy.
Fact: “Craving in itself is a myth, began Dr Siddhartha, saying that these alleged cravings are nothing more than hunger pangs, and have no relation to the gender of the baby.
“During pregnancy, if the mother’s blood pressure is very low, usually they will not able to digest salty foods. Especially in the first trimester when the women find it difficult to eat normal food, eating sweets can provide more glucose to the brain, and help to stimulate it,” she added.
When this digestive issue is suppressed, wanting to eat savoury foods is normal, as it also stimulates the brain and gives the feeling of satiety, helping women fulfil their hunger pangs, shared Dr Siddhartha.
#2 Linea Nigra
Myth: Linea nigra is a dark line that appears on the abdomen. If it starts below the belly button then it’s a girl, otherwise, it’s a boy.
Fact: The linea nigra forms due to a hormone called melanin that is secreted during the pregnancy through the placenta, informed Dr Siddhartha. Melanin causes more melatonin to be secreted which causes these skin changes. “This is nothing more than a result of hormonal changes due to pregnancy, and not related to the baby’s sex in any way,”
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#3 Position of Baby Bump
Myth: Carrying high means it's a girl while carrying low indicates a boy.
Fact: Again, Dr Siddhartha said that the position of the baby bump is not an indicator of the baby’s gender. “The uterus starts growing around the 20th week of pregnancy. It becomes evident by the 24th week, and then gradually it increases. So, if the baby's head is in a particular position and is proportionate to the pelvic bone, that creates the classic shape of the baby bump,” she said.
However, she added, “Sometimes the pelvic bone of the mother is not proportionate to the baby's head, meaning that the baby's head is compared to the pelvic bone. In this case, the head is always floating causing a bulge, which appears like a drooping tummy.”
She concluded that this relation between the baby’s head and the pelvic bone determines the shape of the bump and not the sex of the fetus.
#4 Pregnancy Brain
Myth: Forgetfulness or ‘pregnancy brain’ is a sign of carrying a boy. But if you are alert and focused, then it’s a girl.
Fact: Dr Siddhartha said, “There is no term called pregnancy brain in the medical field.” She said, instead what doctors witness are hormonal changes during pregnancy, that make women feel more anxious, emotional, and a bit lost. “However, these are not related to the sex of the baby,” she added. S
#5 Pregnancy Glow
Myth: A radiant complexion during pregnancy indicates a boy, while dull skin suggests a girl.
Fact: This is another myth, confirmed Dr Siddhartha, as she explained "In some women the male pattern hormone, or testosterone, is released in a higher amount during pregnancy, causing a bit of dullness in their appearance. However, in women where this does not happen, they appear fairer or it seems like they are glowing."
She also attributed sebaceous gland secretion to pregnancy glow. "These secretions make the skin oily, and can also cause acne, discoloured patches, and rashes on the body," she said.
Dr Siddhartha concluded that these changes are caused by the placental tissues secreting all sorts of hormones, and are not a deciding factor for the baby's sex.
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Predicting The Sex Of The Fetus
While these old wives' tales can add an element of fun to the anticipation of a baby's arrival, it's essential to approach them with a dose of scepticism.
“Be it a baby boy or a girl, treat all the genders equally. Because a healthy baby is the one that we want,” suggested Dr Siddhartha. She added, “The newer generation is more educated. They should not fall into the trap of their parents or the uneducated people to base their expectations of a particular gender.”
The gender of the baby is determined by genetic factors, and no amount of cravings, skin changes, or bump positions can reliably predict it. For a country like India, where female foeticide is still rampant, these old wives’ tales can cause real damage. “People need to know that there are still a lot of places, like smaller cities and remote areas, where all these things are happening. That is why we need better education, access to healthcare, policy and law interventions, security, and real equality for all genders to combat this problem,” said Dr Siddhartha.
So, embrace the mystery of not knowing the sex of your baby until the big reveal, and enjoy the journey of pregnancy without relying on these myths for gender predictions. After all, the joy of welcoming a healthy baby into the world is what truly matters.