PREGNANCY
9 Gender Prediction Traditions From Around the World
Though not-so scientific, these gender prediction traditions are a lot of fun!
Written by
Happiest Baby Staff
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PREGNANCY
Written by
Happiest Baby Staff
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One of the most exciting parts of pregnancy is trying to figure out if you’re having a girl or a boy. Typically, expecting parents can find out of the gender of their child by week 20 of pregnancy during the anatomy scan—or sometimes during a blood test around week 10 or week 12. But in those weeks leading up a baby’s gender is anyone’s guess. And it turns out, making those guesses can be quite fun! We’ve rounded up a few fun and interesting gender prediction tests and traditions parents have used around the world.
Although there’s not substantial science to back this gender prediction method, some believe that the amount of morning sickness a mom-to-be has will determine gender. If mom is sick and turning green at every turn, then she’s having a girl. If mom skips morning sickness or has few problems in that department, then she’s having a boy.
Brace yourself for comments if you reach for those pickles. According to some, your pregnancy cravings are directly related to gender. Some say that craving salty or savory foods means that a baby boy is on the way. If a mom is craving sweets then she’s having a girl.
Women have been trying this gender prediction test for centuries—though there is some question about where the tradition originates from. The expecting mother is asked to lay on her back while someone takes a wedding ring and hangs it from a string. Then the string is dangled over the pregnant belly. The movements of the ring-weighted string will determine the gender of the baby, in a tradition known as dowsing. If the ring swings in a circular motion then it’s a girl and if the ring swing is a straight line then it’s a boy.
Chinese mothers have long used a gender prediction chart to figure out if they’re having a baby boy or girl. Invented 700 years ago for the imperial family in the Qing dynasty, the Chinese gender prediction chart is incredibly simple and fun to use (even if it’s not supported by science!). By lining up the mother’s lunar age at conception against the Chinese lunar month at conception a parent can see if they are having a boy or a girl.
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Similar to the Chinese gender prediction chart, the Mayans also had their own calendar-based logic to figuring out a baby’s gender. This baby gender prediction method is based on the year of conception and the mom’s age at conception. If both numbers are either even or odd then it’s a girl. But if one of the conception numbers is odd and one is even, then the baby is a boy. Easy-peasy!
If a mother lays on her back and someone drops an insect on her belly, she can figure out the gender of her unborn child based on how the insect lands. If it lands on its feet, then congratulations, it’s a boy! If the lands on its back, then it looks like there’s pink in your future.
If a mama-to-be gently pokes her finger into the center of a spider web and then pulls her finger out to reveal a hole, she can predict the gender of her child’s birth based on what the spider does. According to Traditions and Superstitions in Obstetrics and the Care of the New-Born in Hungary by Rudolf Temesvary, if the spider does nothing then the mother is having a girl, but if the spider repairs the hole, then Mom can expect a boy.
Brazilian folklore says that if an expecting mother cooks up a chicken’s heart then she can be certain to know if she’s having a boy or a girl based on how the heart reacts to heat. If it opens or splits or expands during cooking, she’s having a girl. If the heart doesn’t open or split or expand, she’s probably having a boy.
French women can thank a 15th Century book of folklore called The Distaff Gospels for this one, apparently if a mother’s footsteps tend to start from her right foot, then she’s likely having a boy. If she starts walking with her left, then she’s having a girl.
As you can tell, baby gender prediction traditions have been around for centuries! Trying to predict the gender of your baby can be a lot of fun. Once you find out your baby’s gender for sure you can get serious about choosing a baby name (check out our list of old-fashioned baby name ideas for some adorable inspo!).
And while you’re waiting to learn your little one’s gender, you can get busy crafting the perfect baby registry. (Don’t forget to register for the gift of sleep—a Happiest Baby Gift Card can make your dreams of owning a SNOO Smart Sleeper a reality!)
Disclaimer: The information on our site is NOT medical advice for any specific person or condition. It is only meant as general information. If you have any medical questions and concerns about your child or yourself, please contact your health provider. Breastmilk is the best source of nutrition for babies. It is important that, in preparation for and during breastfeeding, mothers eat a healthy, balanced diet. Combined breast- and bottle-feeding in the first weeks of life may reduce the supply of a mother's breastmilk and reversing the decision not to breastfeed is difficult. If you do decide to use infant formula, you should follow instructions carefully.
