When it comes to eagerly awaiting new parents trying to predict the gender of their baby, many people rely on old wives’ tales. In cultures around the world, these folklores have been passed down for generations, so what really are the factors and myths influencing baby gender prediction?
A baby’s gender is determined by the father’s sperm. The sex cells (sperm) will carry either an X or a Y chromosome. If the father’s sperm carries the “X” chromosome, the baby will be female. If the father’s sperm carries the “Y” chromosome, the baby will be male.
Although there has been plenty of research to find out the science behind predicting the gender of a baby before its birth, many cultures rely on superstition to try and determine the baby’s gender.
For example, some believe the heart rate of the baby can be used as an indicator of gender. If the baby’s heart rate is less than 140 beats per minute (bpm) it is said to be a girl and if the baby’s heart rate is above 140 bpm it is said to be a boy. However, this is not a completely reliable method as the baby’s heart rate can vary during different stages of pregnancy and should not be taken literally.
In addition, the shape of a pregnant woman’s belly is also considered a gender predictor. It is believed that if she looks like she is carrying her baby high then it is a girl and if she is carrying her baby low then it is a boy. However, this is also not a reliable way to predict gender as the shape of the woman’s belly may depend on the size of the baby, her body shape, and the position of the baby in the uterus.
Another common myth is to use the Chinese Gender Chart. This is an ancient system of predicting gender based on the Chinese Lunar Calendar and was supposedly discovered in a royal tomb. To use this method, each parent needs to enter the month of conception and the mother’s age at the time of conception. Cross referencing the two numbers reveals whether the baby is a boy or a girl according to the chart.
Despite the availability of ultrasound scans and other medical methods of predicting the gender of a baby, some couples still prefer to wait until the gender can be seen at birth by traditional folklores and superstitions. At the end of the day, it all comes down to the parents preference!