Myths on telling what gender your baby will be

It's interesting:
"And for those of you who don't know, this special day in the lives of Dave and Sarah also happens to be Chinese New Year! Or, as they call it in China."

Most women begin guessing their baby's gender the moment they find out they're pregnant. While the only surefire way to predict a baby's sex is through amniocentesis or ultrasound, there are a number of myths and old wives' tales to give mom's a head start. These myths don't have any scientific backing -- but at least they have a 50 percent chance of being right.

1. Mother's Condition and Behaviors

   • A mother's cravings, stomach shape and even her face are said to predict what gender a baby will be. For example, if a mother's pregnant belly hangs low, one myth predicts it's a boy- if it's high, the baby's a girl. Or if you carry the baby in the front of your tummy, it's a boy- a wide stomach predicts it's a girl. Another myth says if a mother craves sweets during her pregnancy, she's having a girl- sour and salty food cravings lean toward a boy. Finally, if a mother's face is round and full, she's having a girl. In actuality, these myths aren't based on any solid research.

   Baby's Heart Rate

   • There was a time when health professionals believed a baby's heart rate could predict gender. Most unborn babies' heart rates beat between 120 and 160 times each minute. According to legend, a faster heart rate, above 140 beats per minute, means the mother is having a girl. If the heart rate is slower, about 130 or below, she's having a boy. This theory has been debunked by professionals, as a baby's heart rate can vary from check-up to check-up.

   Drano Test

   • The pipe cleaning liquid Drano is said to help predict gender in one myth. For this test, expecting mothers should collect 2 to 3 ounces of urine first thing in the morning. Pour 2 tablespoons of Crystal Drano into the glass with the urine. If the mixture turns to a brownish color within 10 seconds, this myth predicts you're having a boy. If nothing happens within 10 to 15 seconds, you're said to be carrying a girl. While it sounds scientific, there is nothing in a woman's urine that will interact with Drano to predict gender.

   The Ring Test

   • This myth is said to predict your baby's gender by the movement of a necklace. Start with a necklace that has a heavy charm -- although some variations of the myth call for old jewelry or even your wedding ring strung on a strand of the father's hair. Whatever the object, hang it over the mother's belly. If the ring or charm moves in circles, the baby is a girl. If it moves back and forth, you're having a boy. Like many myths, there isn't any scientific backing.

   Chinese Gender Calendar

   • The Chinese Gender calendar, which was found in an ancient royal tomb outside Beijing, is said to be more than 90 percent accurate in predicting your baby's gender. All a mother needs to do is enter her age at conception and the month the baby was conceived into the chart. A graph will then tell you the baby's gender. On The Bump websites, expectant mothers can access the chart for free.

Source: www.ehow.com

Tags: baby gender, your baby, baby will, predict gender, what gender, baby girl, baby heart rate