In North America, superstitions say that if a pregnant woman is told that she looks bad or tired during her pregnancy, she’ll have a girl, because the female fetus is “stealing her beauty.” Another popular gender myth, is that if a woman dangles her wedding ring over her belly on a string and it swings back and forth, it’ll be a boy. If it moves in a circle, she’ll have a girl.
Polish superstition says that if a pregnant woman walks under a ladder her baby will be very tiny.
Superstitious pregnant women in China are advised to keep a knife under the bed to protect their unborn babies from evil spirits, are warned that rubbing the tummy too much will produce a spoiled child, and to ensure that the child is an eloquent speaker, are advised to rub chicken tongue on the baby’s lips.
Superstitions in Turkey say that if a Turkish woman steals something while she’s pregnant, the baby will be born with a birthmark in the shape of the object taken. Pregnant Turkish women are warned not to stare at monkeys, bears or other animals, or their child will end up looking like one!
Native Americans have superstitions that warn pregnant women not eat berries, for they are thought to cause birthmarks, or salmon because it causes weak ankles, and seagulls because they cause crybabies.
There is a Ugandan superstition that says if a pregnant woman sees an eclipse, her baby will have a harelip, also known as a cleft palate. The facial disfigurement occurs in approximately 1 in 500, to 1 in 700 births worldwide.
There is a Jewish superstition that says a pregnant woman should avoid funerals and burials, because souls may linger around cemeteries and could be hazardous for the expectant mother.
Malaysian pregnant women are warned not to sit at the top of a staircase, because a superstition says that blocking passage is sure to prolong the baby’s delivery, and are advised not to kill animals, or their child will take on the features of the beast that they slay.
Hawaiians have a superstition that warns soon-to-be mothers not to wear a lei (traditional Hawaiian necklace of flowers) around their neck, or their baby will be strangled by the umbilical cord.
In Jamaica, there is a superstition that claims that when a baby is born, the umbilical cord must not fall on the floor, and it must be buried in the ground within three days of the birth. The mother must then plant a tree on the spot, known as the baby’s tree, or “navel-string” tree, believed to bring good luck to the family.
Here’s a few more superstitions of unknown origins:
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, it’s twins!
To determine the sex of the fetus, combine a tablespoon of Drano and a few drops of the mother’s urine. If the mixture turns green, she’ll have a girl. If it turns blue, she’ll have a boy.
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, it’s a boy.
If a “V” or “branches” appear when you pull down the skin under your left eye, you’re having a girl.
If you put a wooden spoon and a pair of scissors under your bed, and a pink bow under your pillow, you’ll have a girl.
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 happier if you are having a boy, because there’s a little penis inside you.
If the pregnant woman is graceful throughout her pregnancy, she’s having a girl. If she becomes clumsy, she’s having a boy.
If a baby or toddler boy expresses interest in a pregnant woman, she is having a girl. If he shows no interest, she’s having a boy.
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.
If you have a smooth pregnancy with no morning sickness, it’s a boy. If you are sick, or feel really nauseous during your pregnancy, count on a girl.
If your feet are colder now you are pregnant, you’re having a boy. If your feet stay the same as before pregnancy and during, you’re having a little girl.
If the hair on your legs has been growing at record speeds, you might be having a boy.
If your hands are constantly dry, it’s a boy.
If your urine is bright yellow, you’ll have a boy. If your urine is a dull yellow, it’ll be a girl.
If you feel like your nose is growing and getting wider, you’re having a boy.
If you are having headaches, you’re carrying a boy.
