If you are a pregnant mother, you probably hear stories like this all the time, right? Sometimes even a stranger on the street will tell you, “Your belly is too low, you are having a boy.” Or, “If you are vomiting all day, it is definitely a girl.” Stories like this are very common in our country.
Not only this, some people talk about even more strange, unconventional methods. You can tell by the way a wedding ring is hung from a father's hair and held over his stomach. Others say that you can tell who the baby is by the color that comes out when you mix a chemical called 'Drano' with some of your urine . What are these really? In an era like today, when medical technology is advanced, when it is possible to know the gender of a baby very accurately, why do people still believe such old stories? Let's talk about this in a little more depth.
Why do these superstitions still exist?
One of the main reasons for this is the internet and social media . These myths spread like a virus from one post to another. Some people who see these things mistakenly think that these are medical facts. In fact, sometimes people have come to the point where they believe what they see on the internet more than what their doctor says.
My medical advice is, “Please be sure to know the source of the information you trust and share with others.”
First-time mothers are especially susceptible to these kinds of stories. Because they are so eager to do everything right and know every detail, they can sometimes become distracted by irrational things.
The other thing is, these predictions have a 50/50 probability . That means either a girl or a boy. So any prediction has a 50% chance of being correct. So when someone says something that is right, people think, “Oh… that method is right.” Surprisingly, let’s also see if there is some scientific basis for some of these methods.
Common myths and their truths
Let's take a look at some of the most popular myths about the baby's gender during pregnancy and the medical side of it.
| The Myth | The Medical Reality |
|---|---|
| Belly hanging down: If the belly hangs down, it's a boy, if it's up, it's a girl. | This is a complete myth. The shape of your belly is determined by your muscle tone, the position of your baby in the womb, your body shape, and the weight you gain during pregnancy . It has nothing to do with the baby's gender. |
| Heart rate: If the baby's heart rate is above 140 beats per minute, it's a girl. | There may be some truth to this. There is no difference in the first trimester. However, some studies have shown that the heart rate of girls is slightly higher than that of boys near the time of delivery . However, this cannot be relied upon completely. |
| Food: If you like sweet things, it's a boy, if you like sour things, it's a girl. | This is also a myth. During pregnancy, your sense of smell and taste becomes heightened due to changing hormone levels . That's why you may have cravings for certain foods. It's not because of the baby's gender. |
| Morning Sickness: If you have vomiting and nausea throughout the day, it's a girl. | There may be some truth to this. Studies have shown that mothers with Hyperemesis Gravidarum , a condition that causes excessive vomiting, are slightly more likely to have girls. This is because levels of the hormone hCG, which causes vomiting, are slightly higher when a girl is pregnant. However, a mother who is expecting a boy can also experience excessive vomiting. |
| Drano test: If Drano turns green when mixed with urine, it's a boy. | This is extremely dangerous and completely untrue.Drano is a strong, corrosive chemical used to clean pipes. Pregnant women should never handle or inhale any of these. There is no scientific basis for using this to predict the sex of the baby. If any toxic chemical is ingested, immediately report it to the National Poison Information Center at the Colombo National Hospital . |
What about the Chinese calendar?
Some people are also talking about a Chinese lunar calendar, which is said to have been found in a 700-year-old royal tomb. It can predict the sex of a baby based on the age of the mother at conception and the month of conception. However, research has shown that this is only 50% accurate, which is like flipping a coin.
So how do you actually know the gender of the baby?
Putting these myths aside, if you're really curious about who the baby is, there are several medically accepted and accurate ways to find out.
- Ultrasound Scan : This is the most common method. Usually done between 18-20 weeks of pregnancy, this scan can tell the baby's gender with about 80% - 90% accuracy. However, this requires the person doing the scan to have a clear view between the baby's legs.
- Amniocentesis and CVS tests: These are more complex tests. These are usually not done to determine the baby's gender. They are done when there is a suspicion that the baby has a genetic disorder or chromosomal abnormality, such as Down syndrome . These tests can determine the baby's gender with almost 100% accuracy.
- Genetic Testing (NIPT): There are now blood tests that can be done after 9 weeks of pregnancy. They can test the baby's DNA from the mother's blood and determine gender and other genetic conditions with 99% accuracy.
It's okay to talk about these superstitions for fun. But don't make any decisions based on them. Talk openly with your doctor about any questions or concerns you have.
Take-Home Message
- Many of the traditional stories and superstitions about a baby's gender have no scientific basis.
- Although these are just for fun, avoid making serious decisions based on them.
- The only way to accurately determine the gender of a baby is through medical tests such as an ultrasound scan .
- Follow your doctor's advice throughout your pregnancy, rather than what you read on the internet or from your neighbors. Don't hesitate to ask them any questions you may have.
pregnant, baby, girl or boy, baby sex prediction, gender, superstition, ultrasound scan, pregnant mother, pregnancy, women's health sinhala
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