Have you heard of these old wives tales about pregnancy?
Whether you are trying to get pregnant or are already are pregnant, chances are you have heard an old wives tale about pregnancy at least once or twice in your journey so far. Although they are fun and entertaining, do these old wives tales hold any truth? Today we are going to explore some of the most famous old wives tales about pregnancy that have withstood the test of time. From old wives tales about how to get pregnant to old wives tales about the gender of your baby, we have covered it all. Let’s get started!
1. Keep Your Legs Upright After Sex
One of the most popular old wives tales about pregnancy happens way before you have even gotten pregnant. This popular old wives tale about pregnancy has to do with your position after the deed has been done. Many couples have fallen victim to the thought that there is a specific way to position yourself in order to get pregnant.
One of the most common ways according to legend to getting pregnant is elevating your legs after you have tried for a baby. The thought behind this old wives tale about pregnancy is to help get the sperm to go where needs to go. The key? Keeping your legs elevated will encourage gravity to do all the work. While this old wives tale may sound a little logical yet strange, there may be some truth to it. By retaining your legs upright, you are enabling sperm to stay inside longer, thus hopefully producing a baby.
2. Honey and Cinnamon
Another old pregnancy wives tale that has withstood the test of time is in regards to getting pregnant is this next one. This old wives tale has to do with honey and cinnamon. The thought behind this old wives tale is that honey and cinnamon can enhance your fertility. While this old wives tale dates back several centuries, there does seem to be a smidge of truth to it. Some fertility experts can agree that cinnamon mixed with honey can actually help with blood flow to the organs of reproduction. And as we all know, the best way and time to get pregnant is when your reproductive organs are at their prime.
3. The Best Time to Get Pregnant is When You Are in the Mood
Another old wives tale about pregnancy – or rather getting pregnant, has to deal with being in the right mood. Legend has it, if you are in the right mood then you are more likely to get pregnant. Unsurprisingly, this old wives tale actually does have some truth to it. When you are in the mood, you are less likely to be stressed. And when you are less stressed, you are more likely to get pregnant. Stress is notorious for disrupting your body’s natural rhythm. So, of course, it naturally makes sense that when you are in the mood, your body is doing exactly what it needs to be doing.
4. Carrying High or Low
One of the most classic old wives tales about pregnancy that has been passed down through every generation is the position you are carrying your baby. Depending on who you talk to, the wives tale might change a bit. However, the consensus is that if you are carrying low, then you are most likely to have a boy. The opposite is true that if you are carrying high. Carry high, and you are most likely pregnant with a girl.
5. The Shape of Your Belly
Another popular old wives tale about pregnancy is in regards to the shape of your baby bump. Many expectant mothers or moms who are looking to dish out some (sometimes unsolicited) advice, swear by this wives tale. As the anecdote goes, the shape of your bump can hold the secret. The consensus is if you are carrying all your baby weight in the front and center of your belly, then it’s a boy. You might even hear a comment or two regarding your belly resembling that of a basketball stuffed under your shirt. The opposite notion goes for a girl. If your baby weight seems to be spread out all over the place, then chances are you’re having a girl.
6. Salty or Sweet?
It is no surprise that pregnancy cravings are certainly a very real thing. (Thanks to all your hormones!) This next pregnancy wives tale may not be as much as a sure thing. One of the most common old wives tales about pregnancy is whether or not you are craving salty or sweet food. As the old wives tale goes, if you have a knack for sweets like chocolate and dessert, then chances are you are having a boy. On the other hand, if salty foods are what settles your cravings, then the tradition has it that you will be expecting a boy
7. Your Baby’s Heart Rate
The moment that you hear your little baby’s heartbeat is such a profound and extraordinary one. For some people who live and die by old wives tales, (we are hoping not many) they might be listening for something totally different. Some believers of old wives tales about pregnancy might want to hear the heart rate for other reasons. As the tradition goes, if the fetal heart rate is over 140 bpm then you will be having a girl. If you find your baby’s heart rate is under that range then a boy is in your near future.
Unfortunately, while this old wives tale about pregnancy has made its mark on our society, it does not have much credibility to it. Any feel heart rate between 120 bpm and 160 bpm is a healthy baby and does not determine the sex of your baby.
8. Morning Sickness
You will get your fair share of old wives tales about pregnancy as soon as your friends and family find out that you are experiencing morning sickness. As tradition has it the worse your morning sickness is, the greater the likelihood that you are going to be having a girl. If morning sickness with little one is something that you breeze through, then a boy is in your midst.
Regardless of how you feel about this old wives tale, keep your morning sickness in mind. In severe cases such as hyperemesis gravidarum, there may need to be external interventions to help you deal with morning sickness. While it may be fun to speculate about, you should always take your morning sickness seriously. For the health of both you and your baby.
9. What Type of Sleeper Are You?
One of the funniest old wives tales about pregnancy has to deal with your sleeping position. The prevailing notion is that if you prefer sleeping on your left side, then you are probably going to have a baby boy. However, if you are sleeping on your right side, then get ready for a cute little girl.
While this old wives tale about pregnancy may be fun to play with, one thing is for certain. There really is not much truth or really any scientific way to test this. One thing we do know though that is pretty scientific is this. As you progress through your pregnancy, be sure to sleep on your left side as much as possible. A major artery in your body will help pump blood and promote better circulation when you sleep on your left side. Along with this, when you sleep on your left side, your body does not have to fight gravity to get into a good rhythm of helping your blood circulate and get where it needs to go.
10. Bring on the Heartburn
Another one of the most popular old wives tales about pregnancy has to deal with how much hair or your baby will have on their head. If you experience yourself finding a lot of heartburn develop throughout your pregnancy, then you are likely to have a girl. The opposite is true if you are hoping to give birth to a little boy,
While science has yet to find a link between heartburn and the sex of your baby, there has been some breakthrough in terms of heartburn and hair on your babies head. The thought process among researchers is that an increase of hormones may have an impact in effect on the hair growth of an unborn child. So as far as this wives tale goes, we can go as far as giving it just a bit of credit.
Final Thoughts
When you are trying to get pregnant, or if you are already pregnant, you will no doubt get your fair share of advice. Some of it will be solicited, while many of it will not be. Part of the advice you get will likely include an old wives tale or two. While for the most part, these old wives tales are nothing more than passed down stories, one thing remains certain. There is no harm in entertaining some of these old wives tales about pregnancy. Especially if you are looking for a laugh or two.
Related Article: 21 funny symptoms during pregnancy that reveal you are having a baby boy
