Old-Fashioned Ways to Predict a Baby's Gender

These days, technology has made the game of guessing a baby-to-be's gender mostly obsolete. An ultrasound image will give a fairly accurate guess for many parents, and for others either chorionic villus sampling or amniocentesis will give a definitive chromosomal answer. But if you decide to opt out of the prenatal testing regime, you'll have a chance to try out some old-fashioned techniques to determine whether your bundle of joy will be a boy or a girl. None of these methods really work to any degree of accuracy, but that doesn't mean they're not fun to try.

  1. The Pendulum

    • You will find countless variations on this theme involving strands of the mother's hair, her wedding ring and who knows what else. Basically, construct a pendulum with a ring -- it doesn't have to be the wedding ring -- and a piece of string or a lock of hair. Hold it over your belly until it starts to swing. If it moves in a circle, it's a girl. If it moves back and forth in a straight line, it's a boy.

    Carry High, Carry Low

    • One old chestnut is that if you're carrying your baby-to-be high, it's bound to be a girl. If you carry low, it'll be a boy.

    Sweet and Sour Cravings

    • Another legend is that if you crave sweet foods, your baby will be a girl, while if you crave sour tastes, expect a boy.

    Heartbeats

    • If you're avoiding prenatal testing for some reason, this option is for you. Measure the rate of your baby-to-be's heart or get your obstetrician or technician to do it for you. If it beats under 140 beats per minute, it's a boy. Over 140 and it's a girl.

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