By TMoM member Dani Luft

When I was pregnant with my third child, all I wanted was a healthy, happy baby. But after more than 100 nightly trips to the bathroom, many bouts of heartburn, and millions of smiles as I felt the kicks and jabs, one thing that was nagging me was whether I was having a boy or a girl.

I am a planner. I wanted to pick out the furniture, clothes, and names. I currently had two older girls. Did I need to buy a whole new wardrobe for the little guy or can I take out my girls’ old clothes in the attic and start washing them with the delicious smell of baby detergent? At the time, I felt like I would bond better with the growing fetus when I knew the gender. But not everyone likes to know ahead of time and I respect that choice too. As my cousin says, “There are very few surprises in life and this is one of them!” I couldn’t get behind that, but to me it was just as much a surprise when the ultrasound tech tells you around 20 weeks as it is when the doctor tells you in the delivery room. We are lucky to live now when we have the technology to make that choice.

Wives tales are just for fun and while I knew that, but I couldn’t stop reading about them. It’s like a gossip magazine. Some of the articles may not be true, but it’s still fun to read!

Here were some of my favorites…

~ If you’re carrying low, it’s a boy and high it’s a girl.

~ Do you have acne? Then the girl inside of you is stealing your beauty.

~ Dry hands and cold feet? Oh BOY!

~ If the heart rate is under 140, you’re having a boy and if it’s over then you’re having a girl. (I asked my ultrasound tech about this one and she said that the heart rate is dependent on how active the baby is right before they check the heart rate). That makes sense to me.

~ If you are craving sweets, then it’s a girl! If you’re craving salty and sour, it’s a boy!

~ Have you tried the Chinese predictor charts? Click here for an example of one.

~ If your hubby has been partaking in the cravings and has packed on some extra weight, too, you’re having a girl.

~ If someone places a key in front of you and you grab it by the narrow part, you’re having a girl. If you hold it by the wider part, you’re having a boy.

Some of these told me I was having a boy, and some of these told me I was having a girl. In the end, I was delighted to welcome a healthy baby boy!

I know there are more wives tales out there that I didn’t share. If you have any that were true with you, please post! Do you find out the sex of your baby ahead of time? If so, why? If not, why?

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