Boy or girl? How to find out your baby’s gender – for real (and what the old wives’ tales say!)
Wondering if you’re having a boy or a girl? Here’s a look at the medical methods that actually work – and some of the most popular gender prediction myths people love to talk about during pregnancy.
Read time: 3 m
Written by Linnea Dinesen
Content Creator
How can you find out your baby’s gender?
There are a few reliable ways to determine your baby’s biological sex during pregnancy – if you want to know in advance:
- Ultrasound: At your routine 18–20 week scan, the sonographer can often see the baby’s sex – if the baby is in a good position and you want to know.
- NIPT test: This blood test can reveal the baby’s sex as early as week 10–11, if the test is offered or you choose to have it privately.
- Prenatal diagnostics: Chorionic villus sampling (CVS) or amniocentesis are usually done for genetic reasons but can also determine the baby’s sex early on.
Old wives’ tales – what do people say?
Generations have passed down their own “theories” about baby gender. Here are a few of the most common ones:
- High bump = girl, low bump = boy
- Nausea = girl, no nausea = boy
- Fast heartbeat = girl, slow heartbeat = boy
- Craving sweets = girl, craving salty = boy
- Glossy hair = boy, dull hair = girl
Guessing is fun – but scientifically, these myths don’t hold up.
Is there any truth to the myths?
No – not according to science. Most studies show no reliable connection between symptoms, cravings, bump shape or anything else and the baby’s sex. Still, it can be a fun topic to chat about!
When can you know for sure?
The only accurate way to find out is through medical testing – or at birth. You can always choose to wait and be surprised!
Tip! Planning a gender reveal?
If you do find out the baby’s gender, you might want to celebrate with a creative reveal. Here are a few simple ideas:
- Balloons filled with coloured confetti
- A cake with pink or blue filling
- An envelope from the midwife, opened together with family or friends
Whether you find out or not, the most important thing is enjoying the pregnancy your way. And until then, feel free to guess: boy or girl?
This or That
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Written by Linnea Dinesen
Content Creator
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