It’s certainly a lot of fun guessing when you’re expecting … and there’s no shortage of people willing to join in (you’re carrying a boy because you’re carrying high in your belly, says one friend; you’ve got acne because you’re carrying a girl, says your mom).

However, you might be wondering if, aside from CVS and amnio, noninvasive prenatal testing and prenatal diagnostic tests that can tell you your baby’s sex, there is anything else you can do. The response is both yes and no.

In a nutshell, not really. Sure, some studies have shown that certain symptoms are linked to an increased probability of one sex versus the other. But other research has shown mixed results. (And there are plenty of gender prediction old wives’ tales that have no science at all to back them up.)

“These studies are generally small and show associations, as opposed to true cause-and-effect,” says Tarun Jain, M.D., a medical director at Northwestern Fertility and Reproductive Medicine initiates a new window in Oak Brook, Illinois, and a member of the What to Expect Medical Review Board. “And the association demonstrated is relatively small.”

So while you shouldn’t take the following findings to heart — they’re still just for fun, and even the predictions that have been studied often tilt only ever so slightly toward one sex or the other — they may make the game of odds slightly more accurate.

Looking for more ways to guess or learn your baby’s sex? They can be found in the What to Expect app.

6 Signs You Might Be Carrying A Girl

1. You’re Suffering From Hyperemesis Gravidarum

Most moms-to-be experience some form of morning sickness when they’re expecting. But some moms have it much worse, suffering from severe nausea and vomiting (called hyperemesis gravidarum).

Studies have discovered that pregnant women with girls may be more likely to experience nausea and vomiting. These findings were even more strongly linked to women who suffer from severe morning sickness.

What’s to blame? The pregnancy hormone hCG, say researchers, which female fetuses produce more of than males. (Just don’t tell Kate Middleton that because she has hyperemesis gravidarum and has had two sons and a daughter from all three of her pregnancies.)

2. You Are Even More Forgetful

Research suggests that women who give birth to girls consistently under-perform in tests of memory — specifically in areas of listening, computational exercises, and visualization skills — compared to moms carrying boys.

So the next time you can’t remember where you put the car keys, you may be able to blame your pregnancy brain on the baby girl you’re carrying.

3. You Are Extremely Stressed

The more stressed out you were when you conceived, the more likely it is that you’ll have a girl, say researchers. That’s because girls may be less vulnerable to unfavorable conditions in the womb than boys are.

One study, for example, found that moms-to-be who had higher cortisol levels — an indication of stress — were more likely to give birth to daughters.

4. Your Baby Is Breech

Are you at least 32 weeks pregnant, but your baby is still laying head-up, bottom-down? It may be time to think pink! One study of singleton breech births in Hungary found that breech babies are significantly more likely to be girls than boys.

5. You’re Starting To Break Out

You might have heard the saying that acne during pregnancy means you’re carrying a girl — and, in truth, one very (very) small study of 35 women, those findings appear to be confirmed.

In their second and third trimesters, mothers who were expecting daughters were found to have more acne than mothers who were expecting sons. While hormones may be to blame, it’s worth taking the findings with a grain of salt — among the pregnant set in general, regardless of the sex of the baby.

6. You’re Giving Birth Near The Equator

Vacationed in the Bahamas? Took a cruise to the Caribbean? You might have a better chance of having a girl. Research shows that more daughters are born in tropical climates, whereas more boys are born in colder ones.

That said, the researchers pointed out that it’s not clear whether the climate influences gender selection before or after fertilization occurs. Research has also found that more girls are born during periods of high temperatures, possibly because male fetuses are more susceptible to stress, including climate change.

1 Sign You Might Be Carrying A Boy

1. You Ate A High-Calorie Diet At The Time Of Conception

One study found that eating a high-calorie diet at the time of conception and eating regular breakfasts may slightly increase the chance that you’ll be having a boy.

The researchers found that 56% of women with the highest calorie intake around the time of conception had boys, compared to 45% among women with the lowest caloric intake. The evolutionary thinking goes that sons require more resources (i.e., more calories) than daughters do, so a higher-calorie diet would favor a baby-boy-to-be.

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The stage of pregnancy, the onset of symptoms, and severe morning sickness are just a few examples of the varying signs and symptoms of pregnancy. Some people may have severe morning sickness, while others may not experience any physical changes at all. Hormonal changes in the fetus that occur shortly after conception and result in a variety of physical changes are the root cause of pregnancy symptoms. Those experiencing pregnancy symptoms may notice the following symptoms of pregnancy.

1. Missed Period

Missed period is one of the very first symptoms of pregnancy for those who become pregnant. This happens when fertilization between egg and sperm is complete and the body starts producing the hCG hormone (human chorionic gonadotropin), a hormone that is produced in the placenta 8–10 days after conception to allow the fetus to grow. As a result, the body stops producing eggs.

2. Morning Sickness, Nausea, And Vomiting

Morning sickness is one of the first signs and symptoms of pregnancy, usually occurring between 2 and 8 weeks after conception, and is a very common symptom for the majority of pregnant women. Although some people may experience symptoms throughout the day, morning sickness typically manifests as nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, headaches, and dizziness. Morning sickness may resolve by the 12th week of pregnancy, only to reappear in the 32nd week before childbirth. Severe morning sickness (Hyperemesis gravidarum) can cause nausea and severe vomiting, which can lead to dehydration, extreme fatigue, and fainting. Those who experience severe morning sickness should immediately seek medical attention for a thorough evaluation. However, only a small percentage of pregnant women experience no symptoms at all, depending on the physical condition of each person.

3. Changes In The Breasts, Tender Breasts

Tender breasts, swollen breasts, and breast changes are among the very first signs and symptoms of pregnancy, appearing 2 to 3 days after conception. The symptoms will be similar to those experienced before menstruation, marked by a sense of fullness, and tingling in the breasts. The breasts will enlarge, causing the bra to feel tighter. Furthermore, the areola—the pigmented skin encircling the nipple—darkens, the breast skin firms up, and the blood vessels become more visible. Typically, tender breasts, swollen breasts, or breast changes occur after pregnancy. Within three months, symptoms of breast changes will gradually diminish as the body adapts to the heightened hormonal activities associated with pregnancy.

4. Frequent Urination

Frequent urination is one of the early pregnancy symptoms that can be noticed after a period is missed. When pregnant, the body generates additional blood and fluid to sustain the developing fetus, making the kidneys work harder to filter more volumes of blood to excrete waste products into the urine, leading to more frequent urination. The urine might have a darker color, like orange or brown. Additionally, as the fetus grows, the uterus expands in size, putting pressure on the bladder and necessitating more frequent urination, particularly during nighttime hours.

5. Fatigue

A pregnancy symptom that can show up within the first week after conception is fatigue. When pregnant, the body produces a high level of progesterone to sustain the growth of the fetus. The increased hormone, on the other hand, may slow down the metabolic process. Pregnant women may also experience frequent cramps as a result of the increased energy expended by the body during the digestive process. Anemia secondary to iron deficiency and spotting during pregnancy, on the other hand, can result in fatigue and tiredness during pregnancy.

What Are The Early Signs And Symptoms Of Pregnancy?

Early signs and symptoms of pregnancy can be detected within 2–3 weeks of the last ovulation and sexual intercourse without birth control until fertilization between the egg and sperm occurs and the embryo develops. This is the stage at which fertilization between the egg and sperm is complete. During this stage, the body produces high levels of the hormone hCG, causing many changes in the body that can be detected in the urine. Taking a pregnancy test during this period usually yields accurate results.

6. Spotting, Light Vaginal Bleeding

Spotting, or light vaginal bleeding, is a sign and symptom of early pregnancy that can be noticed during the first trimester. After fertilization, the embryo implants into the uterine wall, resulting in spotting or vaginal bleeding during pregnancy without abdominal pain or cramping. However, not all pregnant women experience this spotting or light vaginal bleeding. Those who have persistent bleeding and abdominal cramps may be pregnant unknowingly (ectopic pregnancy), bleeding out blood clots from the baby’s placenta (subchorionic hematoma), or have a miscarriage. In order to evaluate the symptoms, it is essential to seek medical attention.

7. A Headache And Drowsiness

Headache and dizziness are among the early signs and symptoms of pregnancy, caused by hormonal changes in the body as well as increased blood circulation. Headaches and dizziness during pregnancy may appear more or less unequally, depending on each physical condition. Contributing factors may include hormonal changes, stress, insufficient sleep, or caffeine withdrawal. Those experiencing persistent headaches during pregnancy should consult a healthcare professional for a thorough examination.

8. Bloating

Bloating is a common sign and symptom experienced by pregnant individuals, stemming from elevated progesterone hormone, and affecting the function of the body’s digestive system. This alteration results in increased gas in the stomach, leading to bloating and sensations of fullness. Similar to premenstrual symptoms, abdominal fullness, discomfort, and bloating may occur. Additionally, frequent passing of gas may occur.

9. Cramping

Cramping is one of the first signs and symptoms of pregnancy, occurring approximately 1–2 weeks after conception. There will be pain, sharp pain, or cramping in the lower abdomen near the uterus, similar to menstrual cramps (dysmenorrhea). This is caused by the body’s accelerated production of hormones to nourish the developing embryo, as well as the expansion of the uterus in tandem with the baby’s growth. Lower abdominal pain or cramping typically lasts between two and three days before subsiding. However, severe lower abdominal pain or cramping pain on only one side may be caused by an ectopic pregnancy or other complications. It is important to seek medical attention to evaluate the symptoms.

10. Food Aversion, Food Cravings

Food aversion, or food cravings, are signs and symptoms of pregnancy in which a pregnant woman may notice changes in her appetite, such as feeling hungry all the time, as well as unexplained cravings or unwillingness to eat certain foods, such as sour food or sour fruit, or an unexplained desire to eat strange foods or things that are not food, such as soil or paper. Individuals may find themselves liking or disliking foods previously unappealing or favored. In addition, some pregnant women may experience cravings for foods that provide instant energy, such as milk or dairy products, to increase energy and calcium levels in their bodies.

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