Hispanic Traditional Gender Reveal Games
Are you having a girl or a boy?
Before science could give parents a glimpse at their baby during pregnancy — thank you, ultrasounds and fetal DNA sequencing! — people had to look elsewhere for answers to their most pressing questions about their unborn child. Of course, one of pregnancy’s biggest questions has always been: Am I having a boy or a girl?
For generations, cultures around the world have passed down different traditions that attempt to answer this question. Many of these are still around today. Sure, we may have more reliable ways to predict a baby’s gender, but that doesn’t make these Hispanic traditions any less fun!
The Shape Of Your Baby Bump
A lot of cultures believe that the shape of your belly during pregnancy can give you a hint about your baby’s sex. According to Hispanic tradition, carrying your baby out in front (making your belly look more pointed) means that you’re having a little boy. If your stomach is more round, and your weight is spread around the middle, signs point to a girl!
The Pendulum Test
You can do the pendulum test with a needle hanging from a string (aka the needle test) or a ring hanging from a chain (the necklace test). Whatever you choose, dangle your makeshift pendulum above your baby bump and watch how it swings. As the legend goes, if the pendulum swings in a circular motion, you’re having a girl. If it swings side to side, it’s signaling that there’s a boy in there!
The Chair Test
In the Dominican Republic, there’s a fun folkloric game for predicting the sex of your baby. All you need is a knife, a fork, a spoon, and three chairs. Intrigued? Here’s how it works. Just close your eyes and have someone place the utensils under the three chairs. Then, pick a chair, sit in it, and let the utensil tell you your baby’s gender! If you choose the chair with the spoon, it’s a girl. The knife signals that it’s a boy, and the fork means you’ll have to keep waiting for your answer.
Your “Pregnancy Glow”
You’ve heard of the pregnancy glow. It’s the clear, radiant skin and lush, thick hair that some (but not all!) women experience during pregnancy. Science tells us that the glow is caused by hormone fluctuations during pregnancy, but tradition suggests your baby’s gender may play a role too. Apparently, if you’re extra “glowy” during your pregnancy, it means you’re having a boy. If you’re feeling more on the “dull” side, especially when it comes to your hair, it’s supposed to mean you’re having a beautiful baby girl.
These games are a fun way to speculate about your child’s future while you’re excitedly waiting to meet them. They’re not meant to be reliable gender predictors, though. If you’re looking for a trustworthy, science-backed way to find out your baby’s gender (without having to wait until your second trimester ultrasound), check out our Juno Birch™ Fetal Gender Test.
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Please note: JunoDx.com and the materials and information it contains are not intended to, and do not constitute medical or other health advice or diagnosis and should not be used as such. You should always consult with a qualified physician or health professional about your specific circumstances.
