Girl or boy?
By around 18-20 weeks an ultrasound scan can identify your baby’s sex, if you want to know. If you don’t want to know, it might be a good idea to tell the sonographer straightaway in case you accidentally get a glimpse!
If your baby is turning away from the sonographer and you can’t get a clear enough picture of its genitals, you may have to wait a bit longer – lots of babies don’t play by the rules. In any case, even the best sonographers can’t guarantee if your baby is a boy or a girl so don’t go crazy decorating the nursery or buying baby clothes until you have your baby in your arms and you have physical proof!
Although there is no evidence that the shape of your bump, or whether you suffered from morning sickness or not, means you’ll have either a boy or a girl, you’re bound to have friends and relatives tell you what they think you’re having! Here is a round up of the most common myths…
You may be carrying a girl if…
- You suffered from morning sickness during the first trimester.
- You're carrying your bump 'all round' and your butt, hips and thighs seem to have put on weight.
- You crave sweeter foods.
- You have pimples and dull, lifeless or greasy hair.
- Your baby's heartbeat is faster than 140 beats per minute.
You may be carrying a boy if…
- Your bump is all out the front, is low and no-one can tell you are pregnant from behind.
- You’ve bloomed all through your pregnancy.
- You didn't suffer from morning sickness.
- You crave salty foods.
- Your baby's heartbeat is lower than 140 beats per minute.
- Your partner wears loose boxer shorts!
Need to know
If you have a high risk factor for sex-linked genetic abnormalities (for example, hemophilia or Duchenne muscular dystrophy, both of which tend to affect boys) you may be offered genetic testing to find out if you are carrying a boy or a girl.
Read can we choose the sex of our baby? for more information on girl and boy babies.
The information in this feature is intended for educational purposes only. If you have any concerns about your health, the health of your child or the health of someone you know, please consult with a doctor or other healthcare professional.
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Last Modified: 05/07/2007
Related Chat 12
with my son i had no symptoms no sickness or anything it was a great pregnancy but this one has been the total opisite tons of sickness ,tiredness its been pretty awfull and just found out its a little girl
I dont want to find out but I love reading the old wives tales and trying to guess, I have been through the morning sickness and everyone said it had to be a girl. But now the bump is mainly on the front and I have not put on any weight.
I am obsessed with eating sweets though, I normal dont have any sugar in my diet - check with midwife and she said it was fine.
Any ideas B or G?
well i had morning sickness with my girl and didnt really out weight on and this time im having a boy and im the size of a whale ive put alot of weight on and ive had no morning sickness this time so its been completely different this time....x
I dont want to find out but I love reading the old wives tales and trying to guess, I have been through the morning sickness and everyone said it had to be a girl. But now the bump is mainly on the front and I have not put on any weight.
I am obsessed with eating sweets though, I normal dont have any sugar in my diet - check with midwife and she said it was fine.
Any ideas B or G?
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