16 Signs To Look For If You Are Pregnant With A Boy!

As soon as you get the good news the next thought that is bound to occur in your mind is whether it is a boy or a girl. The wait is quite long as you cannot decipher the gender before 12 weeks, and in countries like India not before the actual delivery (1) (2)! However, there are some signs to naturally predict the gender of the baby while you are pregnant.

Based on the pregnancy signs and symptoms there are various old wives tales. These tales have been passed on through generations from a time when scientific research did not even exist. Here are some signs you are pregnant with a boy based on which you can run the guessing game.

Video of Signs You’re Pregnant With a Boy

When is Sex Determined?

As mentioned above, your baby’s sex is set when the sperm meets the egg. Alongside sex, things like hair color, eye color, and even intelligence are already decided.

Things To Remember

Before guessing the gender of the unborn baby, you must remember these key things:-

• These are non-scientific. That means, no research has proved that if you have one of these signs, you are pregnant with a boy baby. It also does not prove that if you have none of these symptoms, you will not have a boy.
• Consider this as a fun exercise. Since the gender of the baby is big suspense, it will be fun to use this list to guess the gender.
• Understand there is no way you can be sure of gender, unless through an ultrasound scan, which is illegal.

Baby Boy Pregnancy Symptoms – Myths and Facts

Your child’s private parts begin to form around week 11 of pregnancy. Most pregnancies indeed have common symptoms, but the signs of baby boy pregnancy are a little more distinctive. Let us help you note this distinctiveness in the typical pregnancy symptoms to enjoy this guessing game.

1. Morning Sickness

Morning sickness is the first sign of pregnancy for most women. It occurs due to the change in hormone levels in the first trimester. You may have heard that the seriousness of morning sickness is a piece of information about your baby’s sex.

Myth: Severe Morning sickness indicates that the baby will be female whereas women with no or less morning sickness will have a boy.

Fact: More than 50% of pregnant women experience morning sickness in the early first trimester (3). However, there is very little research to prove morning sickness as a sign of having a baby boy.

2. Salty Savory Cravings

Cravings are not rare for expecting mothers. Sometimes it is all about sweet, salty, or spicy ones. Those cravings likely have more to do with your changing healthful needs. To sum up, all of the food cravings are the primary indicators of food deficiency in your body.

Myth: Myth says you will crave sweets like cakes and chocolates when you have a girl inside, as of course girls are sweet. Boys on the other hand can make you crave salty and savoury items during pregnancy.

Fact: Our body craves deficient food substances to fill up the deficiency. Hence, a craving for sweets may indicate a deficiency of glucose in your body (4).

3. Healthy Hair and Skin

Just like other pregnancy symptoms, skin and hair health is too associated with the indications for baby boy pregnancy. Hormones are insane in pregnancy and unexpectedly influence all ladies. Washing your face now and again can help with breakouts.  Further, treating your hair with coconut oil throughout your pregnancy can work wonders on your scalp. Whether you’re carrying a boy or a girl, take care of your skin and hair health.

Myth: If your hair is shining, and your nails are strong and flexible then you may welcome a baby boy.

Fact: The secret behind your strong nails and shiny hair during pregnancy is the increased rate of blood flow and estrogen (5).

4. Mood Swings

The change in behavior during pregnancy is quite common. It is well observed during the first and last trimester due to hormonal changes. The estrogen and progesterone levels in women reach insane levels. These are the “energy hormone” and “relaxation hormone,” respectively. The estrogen fills the body with energy that crosses the barrier and gets converted into anxiety. Progesterone relaxes the body to such an extent that expecting mothers start having mood swings and feel depressed [6].

Myth: According to the myths if you are having a turbulence of behaviors then a baby girl is on board.

Fact: In all actuality, most ladies will have mood swings during pregnancy, particularly during the first and third trimesters. As said earlier, these phases are the most aggressive part of the pregnancy time. Hence, nothing to worry about the mood swings. Further, not only in pregnancy, women suffer mood swings during periods too.

5. Fetal Heart Rate

An embryo’s heart will begin to thump around about a month and a half of pregnancy. A fetal heartbeat is somewhere in the range of 140 and 170 thumps for every moment (bpm) by week 9, as per the American Pregnancy Association. The heart rate of the fetus can be detected in any ultra-modern scan, but the validity of its relation to the upcoming sex is still not established [7].

Myth: It is widely considered that if the bpm or beats per minute of the fetal heart is more than 140 then it is a girl. Whereas less than 140 bpm indicates that you are having a baby boy!

Fact: The usual heart rate of a fetus revolves between 110 to 160 bpm. The bpm rate can get slow if the fetus is resting and hiking when it is doing some activities inside.

6. Position of the Bump

The growing bump is due to the gradual growth of the baby in the mother’s uterus. There are many positions in which your baby can grow inside your body. The anterior position is best for your baby when it comes to vaginal birth.

Elements that decide the shape and size of a pregnant lady’s bump incorporate the size of the baby and its position. If the child’s back is parallel with the mother’s, the pregnancy bump will, in general, be level. Many women feel kicks around the middle belly as well. If the child is in an anterior position, the expecting mother may feel kicks under the ribs.

Myth: It is a popular belief that if the baby bump looks narrow and pops forward as if you have a football under your dress then it is a boy. For girls, the bump will look more wide or flat in shape.

Fact : The shape of your baby bump depends on the amount of amniotic fluid, the position of your baby, your height and the stage of pregnancy (8). If your baby prefers to lie sideways then your belly will look flat.

7. A Big Appetite

A ubiquitous sign that our family members see is your appetite. If you’re always eager, it’s a sign of baby boy pregnancy. This one is reasonable!

Myth: An increased diet which is another common thing in pregnancy, can indicate the signs you are pregnant with a boy.

Fact: You don’t have to eat for two, but you will feel an increase in your diet during pregnancy. This is normal during pregnancy and it doesnt confirm gender prediction.

8. Cold Feet

Another common sign old wives indicate is cold feet. Pregnancy has several effects on the general health of the mother. Cold feet are one such situation, and many expecting mothers feel switches between hot and cold temperatures.

Thus, cold feet don’t have a direct relation to the hint of your child’s gender. It is advised to seek medical attention in case you suffer cold feet during pregnancy consistently.

Myth: Cold feet indicate arrival of a baby boy.

Fact: he reality can be different, and there can be several other reasons other than carrying a baby boy. There are a few reasons for cold feet during pregnancy, and no, it doesn’t mean you have second thoughts! Cold feet can be brought about by poor blood circulation, neuropathy, hypothyroidism, and weakness.

9. Urine Color

Have you heard about the old medical practitioners that detect the issues in your body by having a look at your urine only? For reasons unknown, your urine can disclose a lot of things. This is the most common sign that our grandparents tell us. Sadly, this renders the heating soft drink test problematic. The harsh truth is that the color of the urine of the mother doesn’t change according to the sex of the baby. It has nothing to do with it and has more relation to the hydration levels of the mother.

Myth: Strange but there are gender myths regarding the colour of your urine too. It says if the colour of your urine is clear and bright then it is a boy and if it is darker than usual then a girl is on board.

Fact: The gender of your baby doesn’t affect the colour of your urine. The colour of urine rather depends on what you eat, and drink or how much water you have previously (9). Medicines and vitamins that you take in plenty during pregnancy can also affect your urine colour.

10. No Excess Weight Gain all over the Body

Myth: You are bound to gain weight during pregnancy. Myth says if the weight gain is limited around your belly and not that much throughout your overall body then it is a boy.

Fact: Pregnancy weight gain depends on individual body types. Your pre-pregnancy weight, eating habits, and metabolism also decide how much weight you are going to put on during your pregnancy (10).

11. Breast size

Myth: The myth is that in the case of boys, your breasts will grow large and heavy in a disproportionate way from your body. In the case of girls, the breasts will get bigger but in a symmetry with your body.

Fact: Breasts undergo lots of changes throughout pregnancy as your body prepares them to nurture the baby (11). The growth of breasts depends on estrogen, progesterone, and prolactin (12). So their rate of secretion throughout your pregnancy will decide the shape of your breasts.

12. Skin

Myth: Oily skin, pimples, and acne may be a sign of a baby girl’s arrival whereas dry and acne-free skin may indicate a baby boy!

Fact: The sebum production of your skin can surge high due to increased fat and carbohydrate consumption and hormone secretion irrespective of whether you are having a boy or a girl (13). Sebum production is directly linked with acne and pimples by Increasing the oil content in your skin (14).

13. Heartburns

Myth: If heartburn is not a factor in your pregnancy then it is probably a boy. In the case of a baby girl, you may witness intense heartburn.

Fact: Pregnancy hormones direct your digestive system too. Progesterone decides the rate of your digestion and absorption of nutrients (15). Difficulty in digestion can also occur due to a lack of abdominal space in the third trimester.

14. The length of Linea Nigra

Myth: If the linea nigra is starting below your belly button then it can be a boy whereas a boy may be coming if it starts above the belly button.

Fact: Linea Nigra is the dark line that appears in the middle of your baby bump. The melanin production influenced by the pregnancy hormones can influence the stretch of the Linea Nigra (16).

15. Colour of the nipple

Myth: If a color change occurs around your nipple or the areola then you may have a baby boy! If there is no change in colour then it is a girl.

Fact: Hyperpigmentation can occur due to hormonal changes during pregnancy (17). The excess melanin can darken your nipples and areola which has nothing to do with the gender of your baby.

16. Weight gain of your partner

Myth: Myth says if your partner is also gaining some weight along with you then it is a girl. But if your partner’s body weight remains the same then it is a boy.

Fact: The body weight of your partner has nothing to do with the gender of your baby. But if your partner is feeling the symptoms of pregnancy then it is probably a sign of couvade syndrome (18).

Signs You Are Pregnant With a Boy – Myth Busters

• The gender of your baby is decided too early, and any indication of it is hard to trace scientifically.
• The age or time of conception has the least link to the gender of the baby.
• The physical appearance of the expecting mother has no link to the sex of the baby.
• The eating habits of the expecting mother have no relation to the sex of the baby.
• The walking style of the expecting mother can’t indicate the gender of the baby.

These old wives’ stories are fun, right? Every parent loves this guessing game while eagerly waiting for their little munchkin to brighten their lives.

The curiosity and excitement go beyond your control as soon as you get to know that you are pregnant. Everyone from friends and family gives their insight on whether it is going to be a boy or a girl. You can stir the speculation more with these above signs you are pregnant with a boy! The authenticity of these myths is questionable though. But who needs a justification? The real fun is in the guessing so enjoy it.

FAQ’s

1. Is it Legal to Find if I am Pregnant With a Boy?

No, it is not. In India, gender screening is illegal. Both parents and the doctor can face imprisonment.

2. Does Craving for Spicy Foods Mean I Am Carrying a Boy?

This is just a myth. Many people women pregnant with boy babies will crave spice and salt. If you are craving for sweets, then it is a girl.

3. Does it Mean it’s a Boy if my Stomach is Low During Pregnancy?

This is believed by many people. This has no scientific backing. The position of the baby determines the bump position, not the gender.

4. Will my Skin get Dark if I am Pregnant With a Boy?

Many people believe so. There is no research to prove this. This could just be pregnancy melasma.

[Read Also: Signs You Are Pregnant With A Girl!]

References

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   https://www.kimshealth.org/
3. American Pregnancy Organisation, Morning Sickness – https://americanpregnancy.org/healthy-pregnancy/
4. Hill AJ, Cairnduff V, McCance DR. Nutritional and clinical associations of food cravings in pregnancy. J Hum Nutr Diet. 2016 Jun – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5054961/
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6. NCT, Emotions during pregnancy – https://www.nct.org.uk/pregnancy/
7. Hopkins Medicine, Fetal Heart Monitoring – https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/
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   https://ayu.health/blog/the-ultimate-guide-to-understanding-pregnancy-urine-color/#
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11. Hopkins Medicine, Normal Breast Development and Changes –
    https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/
12. Alex, A., Bhandary, E., & McGuire, K. P. (2020). Anatomy and Physiology of the Breast during Pregnancy and Lactation. Advances in experimental medicine and biology – https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32816256/#
13. Picardo M, Ottaviani M, Camera E, Mastrofrancesco A. Sebaceous gland lipids. Dermatoendocrinol. 2009 Mar – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2835893/
14. NIH, Acne – https://www.niams.nih.gov/health-topics/acne#:
15. University of Rochester, Pregnancy: How Your Digestion Changes –
    https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/
16. Cleveland Clinic, Linea Nigra – https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/23488-linea-nigra
17. Massinde A, Ntubika S, Magoma M. Extensive hyperpigmentation during pregnancy: a case report. J Med Case Rep. 2011 Sep – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3183040/
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