Can my baby’s movements predict the sex?

Medically reviewed by Clare Herbert, Senior midwife and team leader

There are all sorts of old wives’ tales about whether you can predict your baby's sex. You‘ve probably heard people say that if your baby isn’t very active in the womb (uterus), then you’re likely to be having a girl. Or that if you feel your baby moving around earlier, then you’re probably having a boy.

Many things can affect how active your baby is and how much movement you feel. These include whether you’re overweight, how busy and active you are, whether you’re standing up or lying down and even when you last ate.

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If this is your second pregnancy, then your baby's movements may feel quite different from your first. You may notice flutterings earlier than you did in your first pregnancy. It’s tempting to think this means that your new baby must be the opposite sex to your firstborn!

In truth, there is no evidence that this is the case. Your baby's movements are simply not a reliable way to work out whether you’re having a boy or a girl.

If you want to find out the sex of your baby, you may be able to do so during your 20 week ultrasound scan. If your baby is lying in an awkward position it may be difficult for the sonographer to tell. In most cases you can get a good idea and you may even get a picture!

If you can’t resist playing the guessing game, why not try our fun gender prediction quiz!

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Sources

BabyCenter's editorial team is committed to providing the most helpful and trustworthy pregnancy and parenting information in the world. When creating and updating content, we rely on credible sources: respected health organisations, professional groups of doctors and other experts, and published studies in peer-reviewed journals. We believe you should always know the source of the information you're seeing. Learn more about our editorial and medical review policies.

Almli CR, Ball RH, Wheeler ME. 2001. Human fetal and neonatal movement patterns: Gender differences and fetal-to-neonatal continuity. Dev Psychobiol 38(4):252-73

Hijazi ZR, East CE. 2009. Factors affecting maternal perception of fetal movement. Obstet Gynecol Surv 64(7):489-97

NHS. 2015. Can I find out the sex of my baby? NHS Choices. www.nhs.ukOpens a new window [Accessed March 2015]

Robles de Medina PG, Visser GH, Huizink AC, et al. 2003. Fetal behaviour does not differ between boys and girls. Early Hum Dev 73:17–26

de Vries JI, Visser GH, Prechtl HF. 1988. The emergence of fetal behaviour. III. Individual differences and consistencies. Early Hum Dev 16(1):85-103

Danielle Townsend

Danielle Townsend is a content and communications specialist. She was an editor at BabyCenter for over a decade.

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