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the fetal heart rate old wives tale goes. . .

It is said that the gender of your baby can be predicted by the fetal heart rate (how fast your baby’s heart is beating. If the heart rate is higher than 140 bpm then it is a girl, if its lower than 140 bpm then it’s a boy.

This is one of the more commonly told old wives tales and one of the easiest to try for yourself to determine the gender of your baby. You will be told your baby’s heart rate at your sonograpgh ultrasound scan (or if not just ask). Is this figure higher or lower than 140 bpm?

So is fetal heart rate and gender linked?

baby gender test results

This tale was believed to be true. Sadly though, it’s one myth that has been researched and tested on several occasions to disprove any gender prediction accuracy. The 2006 study by Wright State University, Dayton, confirmed no significant differences in fetal heart rate and gender between male and female.

Scientists have discovered that baby girls do have a faster heartbeat, but only upon birth, not during pregnancy.

You may even hear stories from other mums of how their baby’s heart rate fluctuated between one scan to another. Even at times during the same scan. Midwives and medical professionals do sometimes talk of this myth in your consultations, but it seems to have been disproven. You will have to decide if you trust it or not! Decorating the nursery in a specific color based on this information alone probably isn’t recommended.

As a means of gender prediction it seems fetal heart rate and gender is of no assistance. 

While it has been tested and proven that this tale isn’t very accurate, you can buy a home fetal heart rate monitor. It may not indicate the gender of your baby, but you will have the added comfort of being able to listen to your baby’s heartbeat. Make sure you learn how to use these properly. Listening to the fetal heart rate is is very comforting.

See our top rated old wives tales for gender reveal here.