Heartburn, Cravings and Other Old Wives' Tales

Every family seems to have its own collection of pregnancy predictions. Heartburn means lots of hair. A sweet tooth means a girl. A ring on a string will tell you everything. These old wives' tales about pregnancy are part of the fun of expecting, and many parents love hearing them from grandparents and friends.

In this article we gently sort the classics: where they come from, what the evidence says and what is actually behind the symptoms they point to. Enjoy the traditions, and leave the real questions to your provider.

The Heartburn and Hair Tale

This one is a favorite: the more heartburn you have, the more hair your baby will be born with. It is easy to see why it spread. Heartburn is common in pregnancy, and some babies really are born with a full head of hair, so the two sometimes line up.

There is no scientific evidence that heartburn predicts your baby's hair or anything else about your baby. Heartburn during pregnancy is generally linked to the way your body and digestion change as your baby grows. If it bothers you, talk with your OB or midwife before trying any remedy, including over-the-counter ones.

Do Cravings Reveal Boy or Girl?

Sweet cravings for a girl, salty or sour for a boy. It is a charming idea, and cravings themselves are real and very common. But there is no scientific evidence that what you crave predicts your baby's sex.

Cravings and aversions can change from week to week, and they are personal to each pregnancy. If a craving is unusual, or if you are wondering how it fits into a healthy diet, bring it to your provider. We talk more about food beliefs in eating for two: myth or fact.

The Ring Test and Other Party Games

Hang a ring or a needle on a thread over your belly or wrist. If it swings in a circle, it is a girl. If it swings in a line, it is a boy. Some versions even claim to count your future children. The ring test is a staple of baby showers across generations and cultures.

There is no scientific evidence that the ring test predicts anything. The movement comes from tiny, natural motions of the hand holding the thread. As a game, though, it is wonderful: everyone gathers around, laughs and makes a guess.

Other tales follow the same pattern. Some say a glowing complexion means one thing and breakouts mean another, or that the way you pick up a key reveals your baby's sex. They are fun conversation starters, and nothing more.

• Ring or pendulum test: fun, but no scientific evidence.
• Belly shape: no scientific evidence, as we explain in can your belly shape predict boy or girl.
• Heartburn and hair: no scientific evidence.
• Cravings: no scientific evidence they point to a boy or a girl.

Why These Tales Feel So Convincing

Old wives' tales survive because they are sometimes right by chance, and because they come from people who love us. When a prediction works, it becomes a story told for years. When it misses, it is quietly forgotten.

They also fill a very real wish: to know your baby a little better before you meet. That wish is beautiful. The best way to honor it is to enjoy the tales for what they are and look to real sources for real answers. Our pillar guide to pregnancy myths and facts gathers the most common ones in one place.

When a Symptom Is Worth a Call

Tales are harmless, but symptoms are worth taking seriously. If heartburn, nausea, strong aversions or anything else makes you uncomfortable or worried, call your OB or midwife. They can tell you what is typical for your stage and what needs attention.

It can help to keep a simple list of symptoms and questions between visits, with a note on when each one started. That way you can share clear details with your provider, and you are less likely to be swayed by a tale that happens to match what you are feeling that week.

If you like having a sense of what is normal each week, our pregnancy week by week guide is a gentle place to start, with notes on milestones in every trimester.

From Folklore to a Real First Look

When you are ready to swap guesses for a real look, our Gender Reveal session ($79, from 15 to 22 weeks, 2D/3D) offers gender determination or confirmation, the heartbeat, printed pictures and a full video. For an earlier answer, the SneakPeek Gender DNA Test ($150, from 8 weeks) is a quick blood test visit.

Bring the family and the scorecards. Compare all of our ultrasound packages and pick what fits your stage, with no deposit required.