Pregnancy has a prevalent array of old wives’ tales and urban myths surrounding its sum and substance. One such topic of this popular hearsay is that of gender. Bringing a human being into the world is about more than the simple question of boy or girl. Yet, there is no harm in expectant parents playing the guessing game along the way.

Hunches, dreams, and fortunetelling are not considered foolproof methods of gender prediction. But does a baby’s heart rate accurately predict their gender? Let’s separate scientific fact from common fiction in this post about pregnancy prognostication.

The Theory of Heartbeat Gender Prediction

The fetal heart noticeably begins to start beating around week six of pregnancy. At this time, you can see and measure the steady flicker on a traditional ultrasound. A baby’s heartbeat is measurable through beats per minute—otherwise known as bpm. This measurement increases daily until it peaks at around week nine of pregnancy. From then on, fetal heart rate ranges between 100 and 160 bpm for boys and girls alike.

The heartbeat gender prediction theory speculates that if a baby’s average heart rate is below 140 bpm during an ultrasound, it’s a boy. Conversely, if the fetal heart rate is above 140 bpm, it’s a girl. With a 50-50 chance, the odds of this speculation are reasonable. Accuracy is a different story.

The Science Behind Fetal Heart Rate

Does a baby’s heart rate predict their gender? All things considered, it does not. Fetal heart rate is relatively variable, changing from day to day or beat to beat. This theory seems slightly more medical in nature compared to others, but don’t be misguided into thinking it’s 100 percent accurate. No existing scientific evidence reveals or directly supports the correlation between gender and a heart rate measured by a baby heartbeat stethoscope.

That said, a fetal stethoscope does offer a non-invasive monitoring method for healthcare professionals and parents. You can use this early prediction tactic for lighthearted fun during routine prenatal ultrasounds and health assessments. For expecting parents who want to learn the sex of the baby before birth, numerous reliable testing methods are otherwise available.

Medical Tests That Can Reveal a Baby’s Sex

Fetal heart rate and other so-called prediction methods may not be able to reveal a baby’s sex. Fortunately, our modern era has advanced medical science and proven testing options that are able to accomplish this task. Those who would like to find out the gender of their baby can turn to these safe and accurate methods: a mid-pregnancy ultrasound, prenatal cell-free DNA screening or NIPT, or a specific prenatal genetic test. Discuss with your obstetrician, midwife, or care team to help make the decision that works best for your family.

Cascade Health Care has a huge array of medical supplies and equipment. If you have questions about any of our health care products, contact us for more information.