You’re pregnant and can’t help but notice your lips are dry and chapped lately. You keep licking them, but it just makes it worse. Someone told you this could be a sign of whether you’re having a boy or a girl. You start googling like crazy, trying to figure out if dry lips can actually determine your baby’s gender.
Before you drive yourself crazy analyzing every little skin change, let’s talk facts. There’s an old wives’ tale that says dry lips mean you’re having a boy, while soft lips mean you’re carrying a girl. But is there any truth to this? Does flaky skin really reveal what you’re having?
The Origins of The Gender Prediction Myth
The idea that dry lips during pregnancy can reveal your baby’s gender has been around for ages. This old wives’ tale claims that if a pregnant woman experiences dry, chapped lips, she’s having a boy. Supposedly, male babies take calcium and moisture from their mother’s body, leaving her lips dried out.
Now, there’s obviously no scientific evidence to back this up. But I do think every superstition has a bit of truth to it, or else they wouldn’t stick around for so long.
Normally, hormone changes in pregnancy can cause dry skin and lips regardless of gender. But some moms still swear their dry lips correctly called a boy. This myth has lasted so long probably because of confirmation bias – if the “prediction” is right, people remember it, and if it is wrong, they forget.
Others say the dry lips superstition came from back when they didn’t have ultrasounds to check gender. Now, we can find out with over 95% accuracy. But for some, the old wives’ tales add a little fun and mystery while waiting to meet the baby.
Other Common Pregnancy Myths And Wives’ Tales
Pregnancy seems to invite all sorts of myths and superstitions. Along with lip dryness during pregnancy indicating a baby’s gender, there are plenty of other old wives’ tales expectant mothers may encounter.
Craving Sweets Means A Girl
Craving salty or sour foods means a boy. There is no scientific evidence that the foods a pregnant woman craves have anything to do with the baby’s sex. Cravings are usually due to hormonal changes and nutrient needs during pregnancy.
Heartburn Means A Hairy Baby
There’s no link between the two. Heartburn is very common during pregnancy due to hormone changes relaxing the esophageal sphincter, allowing stomach acid to flow back up. Baby’s hair growth has nothing to do with it.
Morning Sickness Means A Healthy Baby
Some studies have found a tiny connection between feeling sick in the mornings and a lower chance of miscarriage. But if you aren’t feeling nauseous, that doesn’t automatically mean there’s an issue. Tons of women have totally healthy pregnancies without experiencing any morning sickness.
The Shape of Your Bump Reveals The Gender
Carrying high or low, round or pointy – the shape and position of your baby bump do not determine whether you’re having a boy or girl. How you carry depends on your body type, muscle tone, and the baby’s position. It has no bearing on the baby’s sex.
Pregnancy Glow Is Caused By Hormones
You often hear that pregnant women have a “glow” due to hormonal changes during pregnancy. In truth, the supposed glow is more likely caused by increased blood flow to the skin and a buildup of excess oil on the face due to hormonal changes. Yes, hormones do play some role, but they are not the main cause of the pregnancy glow many women experience.
Final Words
While chapped lips might feel like your new normal during pregnancy, don’t take their dryness as a sign of whether you’ve got a boy or girl in there. Sure, it’s fun to look for clues about your baby’s sex, but dried-out lips aren’t going to spoil the surprise.
Instead, focus on soothing your lips with some natural balms and staying hydrated. When I was expecting my first, honey on my lips helped a lot – both with hydration and satisfying my sugar cravings! Don’t stress about the little things, you’ll find out the gender soon enough.
