By about 18-20 weeks the ultrasound can identify the sex of your baby, if you want to know. If you don’t want to know, it might be a good idea to tell the sonographer straight away 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 it’s genitals, you may have to wait a bit longer – lots of babies don’t play by the rules.

Even the best sonographers can’t guarantee if your baby is a boy or a girl, so don’t go too mad 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 will have either a boy or a girl, you will no doubt be told during your pregnancy what other people think you are having! Here is a round up of the best myths: (but bear in mind that they are myths and some women experience girl 'symptoms' for a boy and vice versa.)

You might be carrying a girl if:

You suffered from morning sickness during the first trimester

You're carrying your bump 'all round' and your bum, hips and thighs seem to have put on weight

You crave sweeter foods

You don't have a blooming pregnancy and have spottier skin and dull lifeless or greasy hair

Your baby's heartbeat is faster than 140 beats per minute.

Your might 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 had a blooming pregnancy

You didn't suffer from morning sickness

You crave salty foods

Your partner wears loose boxer shorts!

Your baby's heartbeat is lower than 140 beats per minute.

Read Can we choose the sex of our baby? for more information on girl and boy babies. Talk to other mums about this topic in our chat forum , or read our features on:

Girl or boy - ask an old wife!  

Baby Gender explained   

Discipline differences for boys and girl

Last Modified: 05/07/2007