Thursday, July 28, 2011

Old Wives' Tales

I have compiled a list of Old Wives' Tales about predicting the gender of the baby before it's born. I am very superstitious, so I took all of these to heart when I read them. Let's see how right it is, shall we?

Old Wives Tale #1:  Heart Rate
If the baby’s heart rate is above 140 bpm, it is said that the baby will be a girl.  If it is under 140 bpm, then it will be a boy.  
The first time we heard the baby's heart, it was beaten 138 bpm. One point for a boy.
Old Wives Tale #2:  Shape of Belly
If you are carrying high with a big, round belly, you are having a girl.  If you are carrying low with a smaller belly that sticks straight out, it’s a boy.  
If you were to see me from the back, you would never know that I'm pregnant. For a while, when you saw me from the front, you still wouldn't know. It's not until I turn to the side that you see this basketball under my skin. I believe this one goes to the boys.
Old Wives Tale #3:  Ring Test
Using a string, hang your wedding ring over your pregnant belly.  You are having a girl if the ring swings back and forth  and it’s a boy if it swings in a circle.   
It was a very small back and forth swing. Girls score one.
Old Wives Tale #4:  Shape of Mom’s Face
When your face gets fuller and rounder when pregnant, it means you’re going to have a girl.  If your face is long and narrow, it’s a boy.  
My face hasn't changed yet. It's still the same :) 
Old Wives Tale #5:  Mayan Tale
The Mayan tale adds the mothers age at conception and the year of conception.  If the result is a even number then mom is having a girl.  If the result is an odd number then a boy is on the way!  
2011 (year) + 24 (age of conception) = 2035 ODD # 
Old Wives Tale #6:  Acne
If you have acne while pregnant, it’s a girl.  It’s thought that acne during pregnancy is caused by the extra hormones.  
Definitely have more breakouts then usual. The joys of having a girl, I suppose.
Old Wives Tale #7:  Cravings
People believe that if you are craving salty foods while pregnant, you can count on having a boy.  If you crave sweets, fruit, and orange juice, you are having a little girl.  
I always crave sweet stuff, but when I was early in my pregnancy, I was craving french fries. Now, I crave chocolate…. This one is a tie for both.
Old Wives Tale #8:  Smell of Garlic
If a pregnant woman eats a clove of garlic and the smell does not come out of her pores, it’s a girl.  If the smell seeps out of her pores, it’s a boy.   
Depends on who you're asking. My dad can smell garlic from a mile away, but my husband doesn't mind. This one can go either way, I think. 
Old Wives Tale #9:  Skin under Left Eye
The eye test is when a “V” or “branches” appear when you pull down the skin under your left eye.  If you see a “V” or “branches” in the white part, you’re having a girl. 
I definitely have branches. One more for the girls.
Old Wives Tale #10:  Legs
If your legs get really big, you’re having a boy.  If your legs stay in shape and lean, it’s a girl.  
My legs are big anyway (thanks to Felts side of the family), but they are no bigger than normal.
Old Wives Tale #11:  Moodiness and a Little Pecker
If you are really moody, you are having a girl since you have another extra girl hormones in you.  Your pregnancy will make you smile and be more happy if you are having a boy because there’s a little penis inside you.  
Not sure how true this is, but it sure does make me laugh! Hehe!! I get an occasional moody spell, but I was expecting my mood swings to be way out of the ballpark. I'm giving this to the boys since I don't cry and scream at my husband everyday.
Old Wives Tale #12:  Bread
If you eat the ends of bread, it’s a boy.  If you eat the middle of the load, it’s a girl.   
I eat the whole thing!! 
Old Wives Tale #13:  Chinese Gender Chart
The Chinese Gender Chart claims to have an accuracy rate of over 90%.  It is based on how old the mother is at conception and the month that she conceived.  
According to the chart, I will be giving birth to a little boy (even if I'm 3 weeks early or 2 weeks late).
Old Wives Tale #14:  Dream of Sex of Baby
If you have dreams that you are having a boy, you will have a girl.  If you dream about having a girl, it will be a boy.  Dreams show the opposite of what you are having.  
I had numerous dreams of having a boy.
Old Wives Tale #15:  Clumsy vs. Graceful
If the pregnant woman is graceful throughout her pregnancy, she’s having a girl.  If she becomes clumsy, she’s having a boy.  
I'm always graceful ;)
Old Wives Tale #16:  Toddlers
If a toddler boy expresses interest in a pregnant woman, she is having a girl.  If he doesn’t show interest, she’s having a boy.  
Little boys love me right now.
Old Wives Tale #17:  Side You Most Rest On
If a pregnant woman prefers to lay on her left side, she’s having a boy.  If she prefers resting on her right side, she’s having a girl.  
Doctors say to rest on your left side while you're pregnant, but I always prefer my right side. 

Old Wives Tale #18:  Dad’s Weight Gain
If the dad-to-be gains weight while you are pregnant, it’s a girl.  If he doesn’t gain weight, you’re having a boy.  
Of course Scott thinks he's gaining weight, but he isn't. 
Old Wives Tale #19:  Breast Test
If a pregnant woman’s left breast is larger than the right breast, she’s having a girl.  If the right breast is larger, it’s a boy. 
This one is a little ridiculous. Everyone knows that whatever side you're more dominant is the side that'll be smaller (pregnant or not). It's only because of more muscle. Personally, I can't tell, though. 
Old Wives Tale #20:  Necklace Over Hand
Have someone hold a necklace over your hand.  If the necklace swings back and forth, it’s a boy.  If it moves in a circle, it’s a girl.  
We did this a long time ago with all the Felts women sitting around the table at Grandma's house. Mine said boy, girl, boy. I recently did this again, and it said girl and boy. This one is a tie.
Old Wives Tale #21:  What Do You Think?
71% of the time, the mom-to-be knows what she is having.
I was 90% boy, even though I was secretly hoping for a girl...
Old Wives Tale #22:  Morning Sickness
If you had a smooth pregnancy with no morning sickness, it’s a boy.  If you were sick or felt really nauseous during your pregnancy, count on a girl.  
I never threw up and was nauseous a handful of times. 
Old Wives Tale #23:  Areolae
If your areolae (the part around your nips) have darkened, it’s a boy.  
They have darkened a little bit, but not much. 
Old Wives Tale #24:  Protein
When a pregnant woman craves meat and cheese, count on a boy.  
Oh my… I was mostly a vegetarian before I started growing a little one inside me. This baby CRAVED big meaty hamburgers in the first few months. Now, not so much. Yet, when I started getting headaches, my midwife suggested protein supplements. 
Old Wives Tale #25:  Feet
Are your feet colder now that you are pregnant?  If so, you just might be having a boy.  If your feet have stayed the same before pregnancy and during, you’re having a little girl.  
Same as usual, and maybe a little warmer.
Old Wives Tale #26:  Hair on Legs
If the hair on your legs has been growing at record speeds, you might be having a boy.  
The hair on my legs are always racing against each other, it seems. This hasn't changed. I still get 5 o'clock shadow on my legs.
Old Wives Tale #27:  Hands are Dry
If your hands are constantly dry, it’s a boy.    
Nope, not dry… 
Old Wives Tale #28:  Urine
What color is your pee?  If it is bright yellow, you will have a little boy.  If your urine is a dull yellow, plan on a girl.  
It's definitely yellow! I'd say it's more dull than bright, though.
Old Wives Tale #29:  Nose
Do you feel like your nose is growing and getting wider?  If so, you might be having a boy.    
No bigger than usual.
Old Wives Tale #30:  Headaches
If you are having headaches, you might be carrying a boy.  
I had headaches on top of headaches from week 10-14. Although, I had protein in my urine which meant that I wasn't getting enough of the stuff. Protein powder in my milk and a little coca-cola a few hours later got rid of them. This one is a tie.
And the score….
Girl: 40% Boy: 40% Both: 20%
Ultrasound result: GIRL!
I love looking at old wives' tales even though they might not hold too much truth. I'm interested in how this summed up with everyone else!

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