He or She, What Will It Be: Old Wivesʹ Tales and Foetal Sex Prediction

Abstract

Aim: A myriad of myths surround pregnancy, especially regarding the prediction of the sex of the infant. Some of these myths and old wives' tales are, to this day, widespread among expectant parents. The objective of this study was to examine whether common pregnancy-related statements regarding foetal sex prediction vary between mothers of female and male infants. Methods: The questionnaire-based study was conducted from September 2017 to September 2018 at a well-baby nursery. Participants were mothers of infants (n = 350) admitted to the well-baby nursery with a singleton pregnancy and at > 36 weeks of gestation at birth. Results: We investigated a number of statements regarding foetal sex prediction. With the exception of one statement, there were no other differences between mothers of male and female infants. Pregnancy with a male foetus is associated with glossier hair during pregnancy. Women with female newborns reported glossier hair during pregnancy in 39.1% of cases, while women with male newborns reported the same in 45.0% of cases (P = 0.04). Conclusion: Old wives' tales regarding sex prediction of the infant during pregnancy remain myths for a reason, with the possible exception of one statement regarding glossier hair and pregnancy with a male foetus.

Keywords

• folklore
• parents
• pregnancy
• maternal nausea