When I was pregnant, I was always sure the heartbeat would tell me if my baby was a boy or girl.  Surprisingly, this method actually worked for me!  But there is scientific evidence that proves heartbeat gender prediction wrong.  What other old wives tales are told about how to predict the sex of your baby?  And do these gender prediction methods really work?

• Are you carrying high?  To many, this indicates you are having a girl.  The old folk lore behind this story?  Girls need greater protection, and will therefore remain high and against the mother.  Boys need to be dominant and will therefore stay low and “out.”  Scientifically, women all have different body types.  What might look high to some is actually low on others, making this theory an unproven myth.
• If you have terrible morning sickness, you are going to have a baby girl.  True?  Actually, there is a bit of fact to this theory.  Research was conducted in Sweden on women hospitalized with severe morning sickness.  Out of all the women hospitalized, 56% delivered girls.  Many say the increased estrogen in a mother’s body worsens morning sickness.  So take head if you become very sick to your stomach – you just may be having a girl!
• The Chinese Gender Prediction Chart was discovered in a royal tomb more than 7,000 years ago.  It predicts a baby’s gender through the age of the mother.  Have you tried it?
• Are you growing a lot of hair on your body during your pregnancy?  Some would say you are having a boy and that his testosterone is causing you grow more hair at a faster rate.  Do hairy legs mean you are having a boy?  Doctors believe there isn’t enough testosterone in your baby boy’s body to influence your hair growth.
• How many of you women have peed in Draino?  According to many, if you place about three ounces of morning urine in a glass along with two tablespoons of crystal Draino you can predict your baby’s gender.  After the mixture reacts, look for a color change.  If after ten seconds the blend is dark, you are having a boy.  If it does not change color, you are having a girl.  Do you see the potential danger with this experiment?  Draino can eat away skin, especially as it reacts to the urine.  Better safe than sorry and skip this test!
• Have you had someone hold a ring over your pregnant belly that is suspended by a string?  Supposedly, if the string swings in a circle you are having a girl but if it swings in a line you are having a boy.  If you have this done, remember that the person holding the string is probably influencing which way it will swing!
• If you crave salty and sour, you are having a boy.  Cravings for sweets mean a girl.  True, or no?  Doctors say no.  What is your experience?
• Some say if a pregnant woman’s urine is bright and clear she is having a boy.  If it is darker and dull, she is having a girl.  In actuality, the color of your urine is influenced by your intake in fluids.  If you have dark urine, you need to drink more water!
• And finally, the heartbeat.  How many people have asked what your baby’s heartbeat is?  Legend states you are having a girl if your baby’s heartbeat is below 140 beats per minute.  If your baby’s heartbeat is above this, you are having a baby boy.  Scientific research has proven this theory incorrect; pointing out that a baby’s heartbeat varies from day to day.  But in my case, the heartbeat predicted the sex of all three of my children.

Have you tried any of these gender prediction methods?  Did they work?

Is your only child showing signs of jealousy as your new baby’s arrival approaches?  It is only natural for your little one to show anxiety at sharing you with someone who is currently a stranger.  Your baby shower just may compound this problem as your child watches the baby receive wonderful gifts while he or she gets nothing.

Perhaps a Sibling Shower is in order!  A sibling shower is a great way to help your child become part of the new baby celebration.  The focus is not on gifts, but on celebrating the fact that your child will soon be a big brother or sister.

Plan a special day and time for your child’s Sibling Shower.  Invite a few friends and neighbors, explaining that gifts are not expected at the party.  Be sure they know not to give gifts for the baby as well, since this will defeat the purpose of the gathering.

Plan fun games such as “diapering the baby doll” and “throwing baby pins into a jar.”  Play loads of songs specifically selected by your child, perhaps from your ipod through a speaker.  Let your child blow out candles on a cake that says, “Big Brother!” or “Big Sister!” while the party members sing, “For he/she’s a jolly good sibling!”

Goody bags can include baby bottle pops, baby bottles filled with candy or a jar of slime wrapped with a diaper.  Let your child help with game ideas, the menu and with party favor suggestions.  You can even purchase a “big brother” or “big sister” shirt for your child to wear to the party.  Be creative and have fun!

How have you helped your children to feel better about a new baby’s arrival?