1 or 2...pink or blue.... and other Old Wive's Tales

OK so about 3 weeks before I found out I was pregnant, I had a dream that I was having twins and when I delivered, they discovered 3 more babies up in there, lol. Now I know that is very unlikely thanks to modern technology. And quite frankly, if I had 5 babies at once I would need to be put in an institution. The chance of me having twins is also highly unlikely because it doesn't run in my family or J's. HOWEVER.....

Shortly after I found out I was pregnant, I learned that my 9-year-old sister, S, was telling all her friends at school that I am having twins. I hadn't mentioned the word "twins" to anyone so I thought it was odd that she would be saying that. When I mentioned it to J, he said that he had a dream that we had twins a few nights prior.
I was intrigued, but was pretty sure it was all coincidental.

Like every mommy-to-be, I'm anxious to find out the sex of the baby. I want to be able to plan the nursery and register for baby goodies, lol. So I look up old wives tales online for fun and out of curiosity. Below are a few I found from http://www.hisboyscanswim.com/658/list-of-51-pregnancy-old-wives-tales-your-babys-sex-revealed

Old Wives Tale #1:  Heartburn 

If a pregnant woman experiences heartburn throughout the 9 months of pregnancy, she’ll have a baby born with a full head of hair. 

-----eh..maybe a little, but I'm not far along enough for hair yet.

Old Wives Tale #2: Umbilical Cord

If a pregnant woman lifts her hands above her head or does stretches above her hand, she will choke the baby because the umbilical cord will be wrapped around the baby.    The truth of this pregnancy wives tale is that the umbilical cord can wrap around the baby if the baby moves a lot while in the uterus, but it does not happen if you move a lot or stretch above your head.  The baby gets tangled in the umbilical cord in about 1/3 of all births, so it’s not so uncommon.

Old Wives Tale #3:  Cravings Curse

This old wives tale is fun to hang over Tarzan’s head.  Basically if anyone denies a pregnant woman whatever she is craving, they will get a sty in his/her eye.  Personally, I think all men should read this and always give into whatever us pregnant women want!  For their own benefit, of course.

-----This one just made me laugh, lol.

Old Wives Tale #4:  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. 

------We haven't heard the heartbeat yet, but hopefully we will on Monday! I'll be sure to keep this in mind.

Old Wives Tale #5:  Ugly Baby

This wives tale is weird.  If a pregnant woman sees something ugly, she will have an ugly baby.  Um, ok.

--- do not look at ugly things, got it!

Old Wives Tale #6:  Coffee

If a baby is born with light-brown birthmarks, it is said that the mom drank too much coffee or had unfulfilled cravings while she was pregnant. 

------- well I have only had one cup of coffee thus far so I don't think I have anything to worry about there.

Old Wives Tale #7:  Sex

This old wives tale is actually not a myth.  Sex is healthy for most pregnant women and is also good in getting the cervix ready for labor.  If you are nearing or have past your due date, your OB might recommend that you start playing around in the bed.

---- I have heard this before. Past your due date? Just have sex doggy style.

Old Wives Tale #8:  Baths

Anyone who thinks that pregnant women should refrain from taking baths is crazy.  Baths are a-ok and even helpful when it comes to relaxing and easing some back pain.  The only thing that my OB said was to be careful that I didn’t sit in too hot of water.  She said that anything over 100 degrees was too hot and to be careful that my skin didn’t turn red.

This old wives tale began because it was thought that water would seep in to the baby and bring bacteria.  It’s been determined that water does not enter the vag. during a bath.   

-------This whole "no hot showers/baths" thing is REALLY difficult for me. Hot water is relaxing, red skin is just a side-effect, lol.

Old Wives Tale #9:  Wearing a Lei

This Hawaiian superstition relates to the lei causing the umbilical cord to wrap around the baby.  Of course, it’s crazy and makes no sense why you could not wear a lei. 

----- hahaha really?

Old Wives Tale #10:  Boiling Water

Many people use to believe that boiling water was needed to be nearby the pregnant woman during labor.  There is not a real reason as to why boiling water played a role in childbirth.  Some believe the water was just a task to get the dad-to-be away from the labor, while others believed that it was used to sterilize the tools needed to perform the delivery.  No matter what the reason was, this is definitely just an old wives tale with no truth or importance to it. 

-------interesting.

Old Wives Tale #11:  Full Moon

A full moon was believed to cause a woman to go into labor and give birth. 

---- Yep, heard this one before.

Old Wives Tale #12:  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.  

------it's to early to tell quite yet. I can't even see a bump to be honest. I do remember my mom carrying low with S though, so I'm not sure how much faith I put in this one.

Old Wives Tale #13:  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. 

-------did this with my engagement ring. It did both without stopping, which is supposed to mean TWINS.

  Old Wives Tale #14:  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 can't get any rounder. It's naturally a perfect circle. Guess I can't use this one.

Old Wives Tale #15:  Key Test

This test involves a key.  If you pick up a key at the top (the roundest part), you are going to have a boy.  If you pick up the key at the bottom (smallest part), you are going to have a girl.  If you happen to grab the key in the middle, congrats, it’s twins!  

------ I wanted to try this but was unsure if I could do it without bias. Then my key started to slide off my bed and in a quick instant I just grabbed it.....in the middle TWINS.

Old Wives Tale #16:  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! 

------- 20+2012=2032. Even. GIRL.

Old Wives Tale #17:  Drano Test

The drano test combines a tablespoon of Drano and urine together.  If the mixture turns green, it’s a girl.  If it turns blue, it’s a boy. 

-------I haven't done this. I've read that it can be dangerous.

 Old Wives Tale #18:  Acne

If you have acne while pregnant, it’s a girl.  It’s thought that acne during pregnancy is caused by the extra hormones. 

-------- GIRL. My face has turned into a pizza. I had really good skin before too.

Old Wives Tale #19:  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. 

------- well, I started off craving oranges and orange juice like there was no tomorrow. Now I crave both fruit and pretzels. Sooooo maybe fraternal TWINS??? I don't know for sure yet.

Old Wives Tale #20:  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. 

------- I haven't eaten enough Italian to find out.

Old Wives Tale #21:  Ultrasound

I’m not sure that this falls under ‘old wives tales’, but, as with anything, ultrasounds may not be accurate all of the time.  In fact, one of my friends was told that she was having a boy.  A penis on the ultrasound.  Months later, it was determined that her little boy was actually a little girl.  I would have thought little girls could have turned out to be boys, but not the other way.  I guess there’s always room for error though. 

------too early for now. I cannot wait though!!! Also, they told my parents I was a boy. They were WAY off!!

Old Wives Tale #22:  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. 

----- If I'm doing this right, GIRL.

Old Wives Tale #23:  Previous Kids

This tale only applies if you have had previous kids.  If you have and that child’s first word was momma, you will have a girl.  If your first child’s first word was dadda, you’ll have a boy.  

-----no other babies pour moi.

Old Wives Tale #24:  Wooden Spoon, Scissors, and Pink Bows

Apparently if you put a wooden spoon and a pair of scissors under your bed and a pink bow under your pillow, you’ll have yourself a little baby girl.  I think this sounds like one of the craziest myths I’ve ever heard.  Anyone try it?

------interesting. Not planning to try it though.

Old Wives Tale #25:  History of Parent’s Kids

You can find out the sex by going off of your parent’s kids and the order.  If you are the first born, you will have what your mother had but starting with her second child.  If you are the middle child, you will have what she had, but starting with the third child.  If you are the last child, you will have what your mother had in the exact order.  I think this tale only works when the parent’s had three kids. 

------My parents had three girls so no matter how you put it....GIRL.

Old Wives Tale #26:  Time of Conception

The person that is most aggressive in bed at the time of conception is the opposite of what the baby will be.   

-------- I'm not sure of the night of conception so this one doesn't really help.

Old Wives Tale #27:  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 aren't attractive to begin with. Plus, it's too early to tell.

Old Wives Tale #28:  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! 

-------- Freud much? I have been SO extremely moody. GIRL.

Old Wives Tale #29:  Bread

If you eat the ends of bread, it’s a boy.  If you eat the middle of the loaf, it’s a girl. 

-------I mostly skip the ends unless it's just toast for spaghetti. GIRL?

 

Old Wives Tale #30:  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. 

------- GIRL.

Old Wives Tale #31:  Mom’s Beauty

Basically you are having a girl if your beauty disappears during pregnancy.  It is said that the girl “steals” the mother’s beauty.  If you think that pregnancy has never made you look more beautiful, you might just be having a little boy. 

----- I certainly don't feel beautiful.

 

Old Wives Tale #32:  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've had dreams in the past of having little boys. But as far as during the pregnancy, the only dream I've had was the one previosly mentioned. No sex was noted.

Old Wives Tale #33:  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 think it's too early. I haven't broken or spilled anything yet so GIRL?

Old Wives Tale #34:  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. 

------need to find a toddler boy...... ( why did that sound so pedophilic??)

Old Wives Tale #35:  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.

------ I prefer my back or stomach ACTUALLY, but since neither of those are recommended I have been flip-flopping from right to left.

Old Wives Tale #36:  Hands

When the pregnant woman is asked to show her hands, it’s a boy if she keeps her palms down and a girl if she shows her palms up. 

-----I haven't been asked to show my hands...

Old Wives Tale #37:  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. 

----- J hasn't gained anything yet. BOY.

Old Wives Tale #38:  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.

------ I can't tell a difference yet. They are growing though.

Old Wives Tale #39:  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. 

------ I haven't done this yet....may have to try it soon.

Old Wives Tale #40:  What Do You Think?

71% of the time, the mom-to-be knows what she is having. 

---- I'm not 100% sure, but I think it may be a GIRL.

 Old Wives Tale #41:  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. 

-------Well I have yet to actually get sick and it's week 10. I have been EXTREMELY nauseated though. J's sister just had a boy and she spent quite a few mornings hugging the toilet, so I don't know if I put too much faith in this one.

Old Wives Tale #42:  Areolae

If your areolae (the part around your nips) have darkened, it’s a boy.   

------I can't really tell. I guess I didn't pay enough attention to them before hand.

Old Wives Tale #43:  Protein

When a pregnant woman craves meat and cheese, count on a boy.  

------cheese? No. Bacon? YES!!!!! BOY?

Old Wives Tale #44:  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.  

------They aren't any colder than usual. According to J, my feet are natural ice boxes.

Old Wives Tale #45:  Hair on Legs

If the hair on your legs has been growing at record speeds, you might be having a boy.

-------It's not. Or at least not that I can tell. This reminds me I really should shave my legs, lol. GIRL.

  Old Wives Tale #46:  Hands are Dry

If your hands are constantly dry, it’s a boy.   

--------My hands are constantly clammy, but they always have been. GIRL.

Old Wives Tale #47:  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. 

------Depends on the time of day, lol.

Old Wives Tale #48:  Nose

Do you feel like your nose is growing and getting wider?  If so, you might be having a boy.    

------No. and I hope it stays that way, I like my nose. GIRL.

Old Wives Tale #49:  Headaches

If you are having headaches, you might be carrying a boy. 

-----yep. BOY.

Old Wives Tale #50:  Drinking Water

Drinking water is really important when pregnant.  An old wives tale was that if the mom-to-be wasn’t drinking enough water daily, the amniotic fluid would be really dirty for the baby.  Drinking tons of water will help you stay hydrated, but has no correlation with how clean or dirty the amniotic sac is. 

-------Drink water, check!

Old Wives Tale #51:  Baby Names

It is said that when you can only think of specific names for a boy or a girl, you will have that particularly baby.

-----We have names for both so....