Found out you’re pregnant? Get ready for the onslaught of old wives’ tales heading your way! From predicting the baby’s gender to guessing the due date, it seems like everyone has a theory. Some of these tales have actually been proven true, while others are pure myth. Read on to find out which of these ridiculous and hilarious pregnancy old wives’ tales are fact — and which are fiction.
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After four children, I’ve heard more than my fair share of weird and wonderful old wives’ tales over the years. Not a single week went by during any of my pregnancies without someone offering an “expert” prediction — and I’ve had to debunk a fair few myths (while having a good laugh along the way!).
Here are some of the most hilarious, ridiculous — and occasionally true — old wives’ tales I’ve come across over the years.
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Old Wives’ Tales: Fact or Fiction?
#1. A Big Bump Means a Big Baby
This is one of the most common old wives’ tales told to pregnant women everywhere — and it’s simply not true.
If you’re tall or slim, you might not show as much as someone with a different body shape. Equally, a shorter woman’s bump can look much bigger by comparison, even at the same stage of pregnancy.
Bump size can also come down to the amount of amniotic fluid surrounding the baby, rather than the baby’s actual size.
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#2. Baby Can Recognise Mum’s Voice in the Womb
This one is actually true! The bond between mum and baby starts long before birth. Babies can recognise their mum’s voice while still in the womb, and studies have shown that newborns often settle and calm when they hear it.
#3. Heartburn Means a Hairy Baby
This old wives’ tale has been doing the rounds for centuries. Does extreme heartburn really mean you’re carrying an especially hairy baby? No — how much hair your baby is born with comes down to genetics, not indigestion.
#4. A Low Bump Means You’re Having a Boy
According to old wives’ tales, carrying low means you’re likely having a boy, while carrying high and to the front points to a girl. In reality, how you carry your baby depends on your individual body shape and muscle tone — it has nothing to do with gender.
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#5. Sex Will Hurt Your Baby
Why this myth ever took hold is a mystery! For most pregnant women, sex is completely healthy and normal, and it can even help prepare the cervix for labour. If you’re near or past your due date, some couples find it helps get things moving.
As always, if you have any concerns, check with your doctor or midwife first.
#6. Too Much Coffee Causes Birthmarks
This one always gets a laugh. The old wives’ tale claims that light-brown birthmarks are caused by mum drinking too much coffee, or having cravings she didn’t satisfy during pregnancy. In truth, pigmented birthmarks are caused by a natural clustering of pigment cells — nothing to do with coffee or cravings.
#7. The Gender Ring Test
I’ll admit it — this is one old wives’ tale I actually tried myself, after my mother-in-law suggested it.
The theory goes that if you hang your wedding ring on a piece of string over your bump, it can predict your baby’s gender. Swinging back and forth supposedly means a girl, while a circular motion means a boy. With roughly 50/50 odds, it’s bound to be “right” about as often as it’s wrong. For what it’s worth, mine swung in circles — and I had a girl.
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#8. Cold Feet Means You’re Having a Boy
Noticed your feet are colder than usual since falling pregnant? One old wives’ tale claims cold feet during pregnancy mean you’re having a boy. In reality, it’s far more likely to be down to changes in your circulation while pregnant.
Grab a blanket or an extra pair of socks, get comfortable, and put those feet up!
#9. No Garlic Breath? You’re Having a Girl
Love your garlic? Let’s hope you’re having a girl, according to this old wives’ tale — apparently you won’t stink out the house after a garlicky meal. If the smell seeps out through your pores instead, tradition says it’s a boy. Harmless to test out, and good for a laugh (and maybe a strong breath mint) either way.
#10. Stretching Will Knot the Umbilical Cord
Plenty of old wives’ tales centre around imagined umbilical cord dangers. The idea that exercising or stretching will cause the baby to become tangled in the cord is completely false. Your baby will be moving, twisting and turning inside the womb all on their own, long before birth — no stretching required.
Playing the guessing game with old wives’ tales can be great fun, but if you’re genuinely wondering whether you’re expecting a boy or a girl, your doctor or sonographer is the one to ask. A scan remains the most reliable way to find out your baby’s gender during pregnancy — though even then, surprises do happen.
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FAQs About Pregnancy Old Wives’ Tales
Are any pregnancy old wives’ tales actually true?
A few! For example, it’s genuinely true that babies can recognise their mum’s voice in the womb. Most gender-prediction tales, however — like bump shape, cold feet or cravings — have no scientific basis.
Can bump shape or size predict a baby’s gender?
No. Bump shape and size are influenced by your body type, muscle tone, and the amount of amniotic fluid, not by the baby’s gender.
Is it safe to have sex during pregnancy?
For most pregnant women, sex is safe and normal throughout pregnancy, including near the due date. If you have any pregnancy complications or concerns, always check with your doctor first.
What’s the only reliable way to find out my baby’s gender?
An ultrasound scan carried out by a trained sonographer is the most accurate method, although it’s not 100% guaranteed.
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Looking for more honest, funny and useful reads for pregnancy and beyond? Don’t miss:
- 11 Things You Should Never Say to a Pregnant Woman
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- 10 Tips You Should Know to Prepare for a New Baby
- 41 Reasons You Know You’re Mom to a New Baby
- Maternity Leave in Ireland: Your Questions Answered
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