How do you know if you're carrying high or low?

SushiNoMore · January 2011

Hi ladies. So, maybe this is a dumb question, but I always see posts about women carrying high or carrying low. Supposedly, it's an OWT to predict gender. My question is: How do you know the difference?

I'm having a boy, and most of my kicks / movements have been relatively low (below the belly button). Is that because I'm carrying low, or is that because I'm still too early to be feeling movements high?

If it helps, there's a belly picture in my blog (link below - I don't have pictures available here at work).

Thanks!

rachelhahn23 · January 2011

I think people say that based on how your bump "looks", which is all on body structure, uterine structure, etc.

However, I feel Liam very low, like in my pelvic area, no kicks above belly button either. I think he hangs out there and likes it there lol.

Also, based on how far along you are, your uterus gets higher. At this point our uterus's should be like 2 inches above belly button I think so you shouldn't feel them too high unless maybe you are hunched over and your uterus gets closer to your ribs?

mclaugh79 · January 2011

I believe in the book What to Expect they show pictures of different looking bumps, one carrying low, another mid range and one considered high. My friend who was carrying high was able to wear here pre pregnancy jeans (low riders) most of the pregnancy because the bump was higher and her hips and pelvic area didn't grow as much. She also dealt with compromised breathing because baby was pressing up against her diaphragm.

On the other hand, I know that I am carrying low, because just looking at my belly it bulges more at the belly button and below, and I definitely can't even pretend to wear my low rider jeans even though my butt and thighs haven't grown much at all.

Lastly, OWT are what they are. I am having a girl and she is hanging out in my pelvic area and kicking me in the bladder continuously.

karakel · January 2011

It usually the refers to the way your bump looks not where the baby is. And of course everyone has a difference definition of high/low. With DS I carried low, most of my bump was below my belly button. With this pregnancy I am carrying much higher with most of my bump being about my belly button. That being said I feel this LO all over the place (high in my ribs and low kicking my hip bones).

slprice79 · January 2011

I read somewhere (dont remember where) that taller, slender women tend to carry high and shorter women tend to carry low unless it is not your first. It said that after your first you tend to carry lower because everythings already stretched. From what I recall anyways. FWIW, I looked at your picture in your blog and I would say you kinda appear to be carrying in the middle, not really high yet not really low either. I know that doesnt help at all Stick out tongue

juliekisman · January 2011

I'm carrying low. Pretty much everything below my belly, LO keeps his kicks relatively close to my bladder:) I just keep figuring in my head it's because i'm tall with an extremely long torso...a lot of space, but who knows;)

BLM10 · January 2011

It can mean where your belly seems largest or where the baby actually lies. My BFF is having a girl and carrying high. She's shorter than me and if we faced eachother, her bump would basically sit on top of mine! She has had constant kicks and jabs to the ribs. I'm having a boy and carrying low. It hurts to sit, is impossible to cross my legs, and all the kicks I feel are to the crotch.