Heart rate - gender theory?

allgood921 · April 2014

I had my second U/S today and found that my baby has grown perfectly, so I am feeling so much better about this pregnancy and a lot less worried! The heartbeat was a strong 166-168 BPM, and we even got to see the umbilical cord at work (thought is was the arm at first til the doctor noticed a tiny pulsing and corrected him self and said that was the umbilical cord, no clue you could see that! Super cool!) Baby's little legs were crossed and we had a little outline of fingers. Just overall super cool to see!! The doctor wasn't my normal doctor, so I was very happy he took the time to go over those tiny details and point them out (Then again he did have an intern with him so that might explain some of it :P)

Here's my question of the day! My friend, who is just a couple of weeks ahead of me in her pregnancy, pointed out that 166-168 BPM was on the high end and that could indicate a girl while lower heart rates could mean a boy. I then googled a little and visited some forums all of which said the same thing. And my best friend who has a girl said her baby had the same mid to high 160 BPM range when she was pregnant with her.

At my 7 week appointment baby had a 136 BPM. So here I have 2 different ranges to go off of, for the theory that is. Does any else know anything on the heart rate theory? Has it tested true for anyone? I just think it'd be fun to guess right now :]

Belle3184 · April 2014

Yah for a great appt. and scan!

I don't think there's anything to the heart rate theory, just an old wive's tale. No science to back it up.

It was true for my daughter, but there was a 50/50 chance.

Third&goal · April 2014

I think in the first tri the heart is still growing and getting stronger. It's not until a bit later that it levels out for the theory.

voplo · April 2014

With my son, his hb was always between 140-145. With this one, started at 178 and now is settled at 132 -140 but we don't know what it is because he/she won't open his/her legs....

[Deleted User] · April 2014

Early in pregnancy this one was around 160, now he's consistently 150-155.

allgood921 · April 2014

voplo said:
With my son, his hb was always between 140-145. With this one, started at 178 and now is settled at 132 -140 but we don't know what it is because he/she won't open his/her legs....

I'm wondering if we're going to have this problem lol! LO's legs were crossed at this appointment was pretty cool to see so early on, but I'm hoping he/she cooperates when we try funding out their sex!

MrsWallick · April 2014

kountingsheep said:
The heart rate fluctuates throughout pregnancy. For this LO, she had a low heartbeat that then reached as high as 180 and now rests at about 140-150. We are having a girl, so it's not really true for us.

Glad you had a great appointment and just focus on that strong heartbeat

This is exactly the same for me as well.

HorseLover11 · April 2014

Were having a girl and she had a high heart rate early on...

Heeb918 · April 2014

I have lots of different Drs and I see a different one almost every week. They continue to ask me if I'm having a boy every time they check the heart beat....but we saw VERY clearly on two different U/Ss that we are having a girl, so I don't think there is much truth to any of it! Glad to hear you had a good scan though!

PatientlyWaiting10 · April 2014

I'm so glad you had an awesome appointment and the doctor took time to explain everything! It really is a miracle to be able to see all the work being done in your body right now!

With our DD her HR was in the 170-180s the entire pregnancy. My sister has three girls also and all of their HRs were in the 140s up until the week of delivery. So for me it was true, but for my sister it most definitely was not. But as some others said, there's a 50/50 chance.

[Deleted User] · April 2014

Congrats on a good scan!

My best friend swears by the heart rate gender prediction. Her daughter had a heart rate in the high 160's, and her son was in the 140's. Even her OB was guessing the gender based on the heart rates and ended up being right both times. My LO's heart rate is in the high 160's as of right now, so of course my BFF is convinced I'm having a girl. Only time will tell!

MrsDL · April 2014

It's a fun wives tale. With my first pregnancy, DS's first reading was 127. It of course increased through the 9th week, but did drop below 140 most of the time for the rest of the pregnancy. This one's first hb was in the 155's on the first scan. Today the doctor only said "mile a minute" but we shall see!

Happy to hear you had a great scan!

Robinischo · April 2014

Congrats on the great scan!!

This LO's hb is usually on the higher end, and he's a boy. (I think he must take after me since mine always runs high

) During my last appt, the nurse said, "you're having a boy? I would've guessed girl from the heart rate." I thought it was odd for a nurse to believe that. Maybe the theory is true more often than not, or maybe some people just notice it more when it matches.

Jenrileysmom · April 2014

At my 10 week scan the HB was 176 and the tech joked that this must be a girl according to the old wives tale. We just found out this week that we are having a boy.

mtaylor404 · April 2014

My LO has always had a heart rate that is quite high (usually around 165), and it is a boy!

allgood921 · April 2014

Too fun! I love all the wives tales and theories, they're pretty fun to guess by. My poor husband cracked me up because when the doctor stepped out he said "I totally think I saw a penis!! Did you see that??" And I said "Yes dear, I saw that, and I'm pretty sure that was just the tip of the tail bone" and then I teased him about the "high heart rate could be a girl" I'm just so incredibly happy to be experiencing all of this right now! Boy or girl, I will be ecstatic!