Pregnancy is an incredible and unique experience for every mom-to-be. You may already know how exciting it can be to find out your baby’s gender during pregnancy.
Ultrasound or genetic testing can reveal the sex of your child with great accuracy. But what if there are physical or behavioral symptoms that may indicate you’re having a baby boy?
Though it may vary with each pregnancy, certain telltale symptoms can suggest you’re expecting a baby boy. Remember, these signs do not guarantee the gender of your baby. You can only make an educated guess based on the symptoms you experience.
Eight Physical Symptoms That May Indicate You’re Having a Baby Boy
1. Carrying Low
A very popular old wives’ tale is that the way your body carries the baby indicates its sex. When carrying a baby boy, your bump will appear lower, as the baby is thought to sit lower in your abdomen. On the other hand, a high position of the baby bump suggests you are carrying a girl. In other words, the baby’s sex is thought to be determined by its positioning.
Experts, however, say that how your baby sits in the uterus and how you carry it depends on factors like the shape of your uterus, the strength of your abdominal muscles, and whether it’s your first pregnancy. This symptom is only an indicator of how you carry the baby, and it may have no relation to the baby’s sex.
Still, many women have attested that carrying low was an early indication of their baby boy’s sex.
Related: 7 Things You Need to Know About Your Baby’s Weight
2. Increased Appetite and Cravings for Protein
Another symptom women report when carrying a baby boy is an increased appetite, especially for protein-rich foods. If you are craving meats, dairy products, or other protein-heavy items like eggs, fish, and nuts, you might be expecting a boy.
Researchers suggest that when carrying a baby boy, your body needs more protein to support the development of the baby. While cravings can vary, an increased craving for protein is one of the more common symptoms reported by those carrying a male child.
3. More Skin Breakouts and Acne
Women carrying baby boys often report increased acne and skin breakouts. Experts believe this is due to the higher levels of testosterone produced by a baby boy, which leads to increased oil production in the skin, clogging pores, and causing acne.
If you experience more blemishes or greasy skin during pregnancy, it may indicate you’re carrying a boy. However, pregnancy hormones can affect the skin of women carrying either a boy or a girl. Many mothers who have carried boys, though, say they experienced acne more often than before.
Related: 15 Fun Ways to Exercise with Baby, Post-Pregnancy
4. Baby’s Heartbeat Rate
A popular myth surrounding pregnancy is that the rate of the baby’s heartbeat can predict their sex. According to this myth, if the baby’s heartbeat is over 140 beats per minute, it’s a girl, while a baby boy’s heart rate is typically under 140 bpm.
Studies have shown that there is no real correlation between fetal heart rate and gender. Still, many expecting parents calculate the baby’s heart rate to predict the sex. If your baby’s heart rate has consistently been on the lower side, it could be a sign you’re having a baby boy.
Related: Positive Pregnancy Test but No Symptoms: 7 Reasons
5. Your Baby Bump Is Rounder
Another symptom that may indicate you’re carrying a baby boy is the shape and appearance of your bump. When carrying a baby boy, your bump tends to be rounder, especially at the front of your stomach.
Your bump may stick out more in front, giving your belly a more compact, spherical look. In contrast, some people believe that a wider bump suggests you’re carrying a girl. While your bump shape does not conclusively determine the baby’s sex, many mothers who have carried boys before describe their bumps as being rounder or more pointed.
6. Increased Energy Levels
Pregnancy often leaves women feeling fatigued due to the physiological changes and emotional ups and downs during the process. However, some women carrying baby boys report feeling more energized than usual.
This could be due to the higher testosterone levels produced by a male baby. While not all women experience increased energy, if you’ve felt more energetic than usual during your pregnancy, it could suggest you’re carrying a boy. That said, many women carrying both boys and girls report fatigue, so this is not a universal indicator.
Related:15 Foods to Avoid During Pregnancy
7. Changes in Your Hair and Nails
Pregnancy often brings a natural glow to the skin, but this is particularly noticeable when carrying a boy. Many women report that their hair and nails become thicker, shinier, stronger, and grow faster than usual. This is due to hormonal changes that increase blood circulation to hair follicles, stimulating hair growth and affecting nails.
On the other hand, women carrying girls often report thinner hair during pregnancy. However, this is not a definitive indicator of having a girl. If you notice changes in your hair and nails—especially stronger, faster-growing hair—it could be a sign you’re carrying a boy.
Related:7 Tips to Lose Weight During Pregnancy
8. Mood Swings and Emotional Reactions
Pregnancy can bring extreme emotional highs and lows, and women often experience mood swings due to hormonal changes. Interestingly, some women carrying baby boys report more intense mood swings than those carrying girls.
This could be linked to higher testosterone levels in male babies, which might affect the mother’s emotional state. If you’ve been feeling particularly emotional or irritable, there’s a chance you’re carrying a boy. However, mood swings are not unique to pregnancies involving male babies; many women carrying girls also experience these fluctuations.
Conclusion
Although none of the symptoms above can predict the sex of your baby with 100% certainty, they are fun indicators that might help you make an educated guess.
Many of these signs are related to pregnancy in general and are not exclusive to one gender. Every pregnancy is unique, and some women may experience most of these signs, while others might have the opposite experience.
The only way to accurately determine your baby’s sex is through ultrasound or genetic testing. Regardless of whether you’re having a boy or a girl, pregnancy is a beautiful and exciting journey. Enjoy each moment, and celebrate the upcoming arrival of your little one—whether it’s a boy or a girl!
Enjoy the journey, and always celebrate it!
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