Pregnancy 101: 5 Old Wives’ Tales That Have Some Truth

Bless her heart, but your grandma’s assertion that you’ll have a boy if you hold a nickel in your mouth during conception isn’t based in reality. Many old wives’ tales are total bunk, although some have truth to them. But be warned: most pregnancy lore is related to determining your baby’s gender, and there’s no greater predictor of that than a trusty sonogram. It’s still fun to entertain the occasional old wives’ tale, though, so we found some of the most viable ones. Happy guessing.


Old Wives’ Tale #1: Heartburn Means a Full Head of Hair

This is the rare pregnancy-related old wives’ tale that actually has some medical backing. Researchers at Johns Hopkins studied the link between heartburn and infant hair and found that it really does exist, which they attributed in part to hormones. “For me it was true,” says one mom named Rosa. “And I’m not a believer of old wives’ tales. With my fourth baby, I had serious heartburn. When he came out – full head of hair.”

Most of the women in the Johns Hopkins study who had no heartburn gave birth to babies with little or no hair, which was Rosa’s experience too. “The other three were baldies and I experienced no heartburn during their pregnancies,” she said.


Old Wives’ Tale #2: More Discomfort Means It’s a Girl

Hoping for a girl? You might suffer a little more during your pregnancy if you get your wish. Folklore says that moodiness and extreme fatigue are indicators that you’re having a girl. A study done at the The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center followed 80 pregnant women and found that those carrying girls had heightened inflammation of their immune systems, which contributes to achiness and fatigue.
The culprits are immune markers called cytokines. The study’s authors say that women’s bodies produce more cytokines when they’re carrying female fetuses, which means their immune systems have a harder time fighting off bacteria.


Old Wives’ Tale #3: Your Wedding Ring Can Predict Gender

Okay, it hasn’t been the subject of any serious study, but many modern women still swear by the accuracy of the ring-on-a-string test for predicting gender. To try it out, tie a piece of string around your wedding ring and have your partner or a friend suspend the ring a few inches above your belly. The ring will move in circles if you’re having a girl and sway side-to-side if it’s a boy — or, you know, so legend says.


Old Wives’ Tale #4: Heart Rate is a Predictor of Gender

This one is sort of true, but not in a way that will help you determine your unborn baby’s sex. Rumor has it that boys have lower fetal heart rates (below 130, generally) while girls have higher rates (between 130 and 160). And it’s true that girls’ hearts do tend to beat a little faster, but only once labor begins. Studies show no discernible differences between the heart rates of the two genders during the first trimester.


Old Wives’ Tale #5: Nipple Stimulation Jumpstarts Labor

If your due date has come and gone, you may be desperate to get labor going. The good news: nipple stimulation does actually work. The bad news: it’s going to be really awkward when your mother-in-law is the one telling you to try it. Multiple studies have shown that breast stimulation can be an effective alternative to labor induction. But talk to your OB before you try it, because in some women it makes contractions start quickly and your doctor may advise you hold off until you’re being monitored.



Kathryn Walsh is a freelance writer specializing in parenting and travel topics. Her work has appeared on mom.me, TheBump.com, and USAToday.com.