As every expectant mother knows, when it comes to pregnancy and childbirth EVERYONE has an opinion about her unborn child and the birth process she is about to undergo. Throughout generations many myths have been passed down–some absurd, some valid; most long lived, and many, surprisingly, clung to by even the most technologically astute mothers and fathers-to-be.
We present here a folkloric look at the birthing process, starting with "how to determine your baby's gender using old wive's tales," and we invite new mothers and fathers (or those to be) to share the "advice" they received regarding the pregnancy and birth of their babies.
Determining Your Baby's Gender Using Old Wive's Tales
If you are carrying the extra weight out front, it's a boy.
If the hair on your legs is growing faster during pregnancy, it's a boy.
Girls are carried high. Boys are carried low.
Sleeping in a bed with your pillow to the north indicates that you are having a boy.
If your feet are colder than they were before pregnancy, you are having a boy.
If the dad-to-be is gaining weight right along with the mom-to-be, you are having a boy.
If you had morning sickness early in pregnancy, you are expecting a girl.
If you are looking particularly good during pregnancy, it must be a boy, because girls steal their mother's looks.
If your chest development has been quite dramatic during pregnancy, you should expect a girl.
Hold a needle on a thread over your belly. If it moves in circles, you are having a boy. If the needle moves back and forth, you are having a girl.
If your urine is a bright neon yellow, you will have a boy.
If you are craving sweets, you will have a girl.
If your nose has been spreading, you are having a boy.
If you have no desire for orange juice, it's a boy.
If someone asks to see your hand, and you show them your palm, you are having a girl; if you show them the back of your hand, you are having a boy.
If you pick up a mug by the handle, you are carrying a boy. If instead you pick up the mug by its body, you are carrying a girl.
Looking for a Doula in the Cleveland, Ohio area?
Mary Bader is a DONA certified doula and postpartum doula with years of experience assisting long and short labors, natural births, high-risk pregnancies, and VBAC births. For more information, contact at (216) 470-9094.
