23 Signs You’re Having a Girl
The only 100% accurate way to know if you are having a girl is through genetic testing or a professional ultrasound scan around 16 to 20 weeks. However, that hasn’t stopped centuries of moms, grandmothers, and friends from predicting baby gender based on everything from how high you carry your bump to whether you are craving cupcakes or potato chips.
While most of these are just fun myths, there are actually a few symptoms-like severe morning sickness-that science suggests might actually point to a baby girl. In this guide, we are going to walk through 23 different signs to see if pink is in your future. If you want to skip the guessing game and know for sure, our private 3D ultrasound clinic can give you the answer with precision and clarity.
Key Takeaways
- The Science is Slim: Most “signs” are myths, but studies do show a link between severe morning sickness (Hyperemesis Gravidarum) and carrying girls.
- The “Beauty Thief”: Folklore says girls “steal your beauty,” leading to oily skin and dull hair, while boys make you glow.
- Carrying High: This is the most popular myth, but bump shape is actually determined by your muscle tone and body shape, not the baby’s gender.
- The Real Proof: The only definitive non-invasive way to know is a gender determination ultrasound or a blood DNA test.
The "Scientific" Signs You’re Having a Girl
Let’s start with the heavy hitters. While most lists are full of folklore, researchers have actually looked into a few of these. If you are looking for scientific signs you’re having a girl, these three are your best bet.
1. You Have Severe Morning Sickness
This is one of the few signs backed by medical data. Studies have found that women suffering from Hyperemesis Gravidarum (a very severe form of morning sickness) are slightly more likely to be carrying a girl.
- The Theory: It is believed that carrying a female fetus increases the levels of the hormone hCG in your body more than a male fetus does. High hCG levels are directly linked to nausea and vomiting. So, if you are spending the first trimester hugging the toilet bowl, it might be a girl.
2. You Are Under Serious Stress
This one is surprising. A study from 2012 found a correlation between the levels of the stress hormone cortisol and the gender birth ratio.
- The Theory: The study suggested that women with very high levels of cortisol at the time of conception were statistically more likely to have a girl. Another study following an earthquake in Greece showed a spike in female births afterward. It seems that in times of high stress, the body may be more resilient in carrying female fetuses.
3. You Are Forgetful (“Mommy Brain”)
While “pregnancy brain” hits almost everyone, some research suggests it might be worse for those carrying girls. When researchers tested memory performance in pregnant women, those carrying daughters performed consistently lower on listening and memory tests than those carrying sons.
Physical Signs: What Your Body Says
These are the signs you can see in the mirror. While doctors will tell you these are mostly due to hormones and body shape, they are the most popular “old wives’ tales” for a reason.
4. You Are Carrying High
This is the classic grandmother prediction. If your baby bump looks like a basketball tucked up high under your ribs, tradition says it’s a girl. If the bump is low and droopy, it’s a boy.
- The Reality: Muscle tone and the position of the baby usually dictate this. First-time moms often carry higher because their abdominal muscles are tighter.
5. You Are Gaining Weight Around the Middle
Are you noticing that your “love handles” are filling out? The myth goes that if you gain weight all over-especially in your hips, rear, and waist-you are preparing for a girl. If the weight is “all belly” (like you swallowed a watermelon), it’s a boy.
6. Your Skin is Oily and Breaking Out
Have you heard the saying, “Little girls steal their mother’s beauty”? It is a bit mean, but it is a very common belief! If you are suddenly dealing with pregnancy acne, oily skin, or random breakouts you haven’t seen since high school, folklore says a girl is on the way.
7. Your Hair Looks Dull and Limp
Going along with the “beauty thief” theory, if your hair looks flat, thin, or greasy, it’s a sign of a girl. Conversely, expecting moms with thick, glossy, shiny “Pantene commercial” hair are supposedly carrying boys.
8. One Breast is Larger Than the Other
Your breasts change a lot during pregnancy as they prep for nursing. A very specific old wives’ tale claims that if your left breast feels larger than your right, you are having a girl. If the right one is bigger, it’s a boy.
9. The “Linea Nigra” Stops at the Belly Button
The Linea Nigra is that dark vertical line that appears on many pregnant bellies. The legend says:
- If the line runs from your pubic bone and stops at your belly button: It’s a Girl.
- If the line goes all the way up past your belly button to your ribs: It’s a Boy.
10. Your Urine is Dull Yellow
Next time you go to the bathroom (which is probably every 20 minutes!), take a look.
- Neon/Bright Yellow: Boy.
- Dull/Cloudy Yellow: Girl.
- Note: This is usually just a sign of how much water you are drinking!
11. Your Feet Are Warm
Do you need extra socks? Tradition says that if your feet are freezing cold, you’re having a boy. If your feet are toasty warm (or just normal), you’re having a girl.
Behavioral Signs: Cravings and Moods
12. You Crave Sweets
Are you dreaming of donuts, chocolate, and fruit? The “sugar and spice” rhyme isn’t just for nursery rhymes. Cravings for sweets are overwhelmingly associated with baby girls. If you are craving salty or savory things (pickles, chips, cheese), it’s said to be a boy.
13. Extreme Mood Swings
We all know hormones make you emotional, but if you feel like you are on an extreme rollercoaster-sobbing one minute and furious the next-people will often say, “Oh, it must be a girl.” The logic is that you have “double the female hormones” in your system.
14. You Sleep on Your Right Side
This is a subtle one. When you naturally curl up in bed, which side do you choose?
- Right Side: Girl.
- Left Side: Boy.
15. You Are Less Clumsy
Some people believe that carrying a girl makes you more graceful, while the extra testosterone of a boy makes you clumsy and prone to bumping into things. (Although, let’s be honest, balancing a giant belly makes everyone a little clumsy!)
Fun "Tests" and Folklore Predictions
If you want to have some fun at your baby shower or with your partner, try these popular gender prediction games. Just remember to take the results with a grain of salt!
16. The Ring Test
This is the most famous DIY gender test.
- How to do it: Tie your wedding ring to a piece of thread or a strand of your hair. Lie down and have someone hold the dangling ring over your belly.
- The Result: If the ring swings in a circle, it’s a girl. If it swings back and forth like a pendulum, it’s a boy.
17. The Garlic Test
If you are brave enough to eat a raw clove of garlic, you can try this one.
- The Result: If the smell seeps out of your pores and you smell like garlic shortly after eating it, it’s a boy. If you eat it and don’t smell, it’s a girl.
18. The Baking Soda Test
This is a bit like a high school science experiment.
- How to do it: Put a tablespoon of baking soda in a cup. Add some of your urine to it.
- The Result: If it fizzes like a soda, it’s a boy. If nothing happens (it stays flat), it’s a girl.
19. The Chinese Gender Calendar
This ancient chart claims to predict gender based on your age at conception and the month you conceived. You can find these charts all over the internet. Many moms swear by them, though statisticians say it’s about 50/50 accuracy.
20. The Mayan Gender Prediction
The Mayans had a different math method. They looked at the mother’s age at conception and the year of conception.
- The Result: If both numbers are even, or both are odd, it’s a girl. If one is even and one is odd, it’s a boy.
21. Baby’s Heart Rate is Fast
Next time you are at a prenatal checkup, ask the doctor what the heart rate is.
- The Myth: If it is faster than 140 beats per minute, it’s a girl. If it is slower (under 140), it’s a boy.
- The Science: Studies have shown there is no significant difference in heart rates between boys and girls in the uterus, but it remains one of the most popular beliefs.
22. The “Dad Weight” Theory
Is your partner gaining weight alongside you? This is often called “sympathy weight.”
- The Result: If Dad puts on weight, the old wives’ tale says it’s a girl. If he stays the same weight, it’s a boy.
23. The Toddler Test
If you already have a child, how do they react to your belly?
- The Myth: If a toddler boy shows interest in your belly, it’s a girl. If he ignores it, it’s a boy. (And vice versa for toddler girls).
The Only Surefire Way to Know
While checking your hairline and swinging a ring over your tummy is fun, it isn’t exactly accurate. If you really want to know if you should buy the pink paint or the blue paint, you need to look inside.
Ultrasound Scans
The most common and reliable method is an ultrasound. While the standard hospital anatomy scan happens at 20 weeks, you don’t have to wait that long. At A Date With Baby, we offer baby gender ultrasound packages starting as early as 16 weeks. Our experienced sonographers can identify the genitalia clearly, often showing you the “hamburger sign” (three lines indicating a girl) or the “turtle sign” (indicating a boy).
Because we use high-definition technology, we can often determine gender with extremely high accuracy well before your hospital date.
DNA Blood Tests
If you absolutely cannot wait until week 16, science has an even faster answer. Early DNA gender reveal tests (like the NIPT or specific gender blood tests) can detect male chromosomes in your blood as early as 6 to 7 weeks into pregnancy. Since you are female (XX), if the test finds Y chromosomes, you know it’s a boy. If it finds no Y chromosomes, it’s a girl.
The “Skull Theory” (Nub Theory)
If you have an early ultrasound picture (around 12 weeks), some experts look at the shape of the baby’s skull or the angle of the “nub” (the early genital tubercle).
- Girl: The nub is flat or points downward (less than 30 degrees).
- Boy: The nub points upward (more than 30 degrees). While not 100%, many sonographers can give a very educated guess based on this method during an early 3D ultrasound.
Final words
Whether you are craving sweets, battling acne, or dealing with serious morning sickness, hunting for signs you’re having a girl is a fun way to pass the time while you wait to meet your little one. While myths like the ring test or the garlic test are entertaining, remember that they are just that-myths.
The only “sign” that truly matters is the one you see on the screen or get in your lab results. Until then, enjoy the excitement of the mystery!
Are you ready to stop guessing and start planning?
A Date With Baby
- Toronto: 20 De Boers Dr Suite 220, Toronto, ON M3J 0H1, Canada
- Phone: 416-631-0440
