Pregnant Belly Types: Carrying High vs Low | SneakPeek®️ (2023)

As your baby grows, your belly grows too. Factors that contribute to the size and shape of your belly during pregnancy are your muscle structure, the baby's position, and more. Whether or not gender plays a role in pregnancy is a common question. While not as accurate as agender prediction test, many people tend to believe in the correlation of gender with the shape of the belly.

So does your baby's gender also contribute to the shape of your belly? Or is this another widespread gender myth likepregnancy cravings and genderare related, simply due to a craving for sweet or salty foods, or even for a glass ofcame during pregnancy? or thatmix urine and baking sodaWill this give you an idea if you are having a boy or a girl?

Discover the science (and pseudoscience) behind different pregnant belly shapes and genders below.

What they say about the shape of the belly

Let's address the three most common claims about pregnancy:

  1. Gender determines whether you carry high or low weight during pregnancy.
  2. Sex contributes to the big size of your belly.
  3. Gender determines the general shape of the belly (wide or pointed).

Are they truths or myths? If they are myths, is there a basis of truth behind them?

Statement 1: Load high vs. load under

A persistent claim is that carrying weight on the upper part of the stomach means a girl; carrying the weight down means a child.

How does this hold up in court? The bottom line is that researchers still haven't found a causal link between sex and the position of the baby's weight on a woman's body.

what science says

Tall or short build is most likely due to physical characteristics such as the skeletal and muscular structure of the mother's body. According toDra. Kirtly Jones:

There is no fact to [this myth]. What is a fact is that the first pregnancy, before the abdominal wall stretches, tends to be visually taller. As the abdominal wall stretches with each new pregnancy, the uterus appears to be pushed down, but the sex of the baby in the womb does not determine this.

Before pregnancy, no two women's abdomens are exactly alike. Once pregnant, every muscle and fiber, right down to the strength of the individual abdominal muscles and the elasticity of the abdominal wall, play a role in the shape of the baby's belly.

Likewise, your abdomen will not be the same from the first to the second pregnancy (if you have more than one) and therefore the shape will not be the same from the first to the second or third.

It is difficult to say where this myth came from. While it is a common topic of conversation among pregnancy circles, the origin is often overlooked.

Claim 2: Belly size during pregnancy

This statement says that if you have a boy, your belly will be bigger; if it's a girl, your belly will get smaller. Basically, if you were to compare two pregnant women of the same height and weight, their belly size would match the sex of the baby.

This has not been supported by any scientific research.

what science says

If the sex of the baby could be seen with the naked eye, then sex should play a role in birth weight. However, according to the WHO growth charts published by the CDC:

  • femalesat the 50th percentile weighs 7 lb 2 oz and is approximately 49.1 cm long
  • malesat the 50th percentile weighs 7 lb 6 oz and is approximately 49.9 cm long

Since boys and girls only differ by 4 ounces and 0.8 cm, this does not take into account the noticeably different belly sizes of pregnant women.

Claim 3: Pointed versus wide pregnancy belly shape

This states that the physical shape of the pregnant belly can be used to determine the sex of the baby. If the pregnancy bulge is large, it's a girl; if the belly is narrow and pointed, it's a boy. Unfortunately, again, no matter how you phrase it, the answer to "does belly shape determine gender?" will not

what science says

So why do some women have wide bellies and others have narrow, pointy bellies? While science doesn't support gender theory, it does have an explanation. Three explanations, actually:

  1. Diastasis of rectus abdominis– As the uterus and uterine wall expand outward, the baby’s belly comes into view. The pressure of the growing baby pushing out may be enough to push the abdominal muscles to the side, creating a pocket for the baby's belly to push out a little. In moderate cases, this can also cause back pain, constipation and leakage of urine. And after giving birth, the muscles can return to normal. If not, physical therapy and surgery are known to help tone the muscles. InWebMD

    Pregnancy puts so much stress on a woman's body that sometimes the front muscles cannot keep their shape. "Diastasis" means separation. "Recti" refers to the abdominal muscles called "rectus abdominis". When the abdominal muscles are separated in this way, the uterus, intestines and other organs have only a thin band of connective tissue in front to hold them in place as the baby grows.

    If diastasis recti occurs, the shape of the pregnancy belly becomes narrow and pointed; still, this has nothing to do with gender.

  2. baby positioning- The baby can grow on its stomach, with the right side up, feet up or down, spine towards the mother's spine or spine towards the stomach. Because of this, there are many different forms of baby bump that occur in women. For example, if the baby's spine is facing the stomach, this is known to make the belly bulge even more. On the other hand, if the baby's spine is parallel to the mother's spine, there will be less pressure pushing the baby's bulge out.

    Another position that contributes to the increase in the belly of the pregnant woman is the transverse position. This means that the baby is placed horizontally in the mother's womb. Instead of having the head up or down, the baby lies on its side, making the baby's belly wider. Your doctor should be able to identify if the baby is in a cross position. It is normal for the baby to be positioned side to side around 26 weeks, however, at 35 weeks it is normal for babies to be head down in the mother's womb. Parents should not be concerned about a transverse position unless the baby has not turned to a head-down position in time for labor, in which case the mother will likely need a caesarean section.

  3. mother's height– The common pregnancy myth that the shape of the belly affects the sex of the baby is false. The shape of a pointed or wide belly is related to the mother's height and body type. A taller pregnant woman is more likely to have a wider and less protruding belly. Due to the greater space between the upper abdomen and the pubic bone, the baby's weight is more evenly distributed in the midsection and creates a wider pregnancy belly. The longer torso also allows a taller woman to be seen later than a shorter woman. Often a short woman will show a "basketball bulge" because she has less vertical room for her baby to grow. This makes short women have a more pointed belly shape.

The real cause of pregnant belly shapes

Even if every well-meaning loved one examines their belly, the bottom line is that the different shapes of the pregnant belly do not correlate with the sex of the fetus. The real factors behind your belly shape are:

  1. Your muscle structure, including the elasticity of your abdominal wall.
  2. Whether or not diastasis recti occurs.
  3. The fetal position of the growing baby.

How to determine your baby's gender

There are numerous genrespregnancy mythsthat you can try if you want to spend a fun afternoon. However, scientifically speaking, there are only a few true methods for women to find out the sex of their baby. Moving from newest to oldest:

  • Ultrasound at 18-22 weeks
  • Physician Ordered Non-Invasive Prenatal Test (NIPT) at 12 weeks
  • Early gender DNA test in 6 weeks

Redefining the norm of gender discovery

With the advent of new technologies reshaping our world in so many ways, finding out your baby's gender has never been more accessible than it is today. The SneakPeek Early Gender DNA Test relies on a small sample of blood from the mother to access this information. What the test specifically looks for is the presence of Y chromosomes. Given that females have X-X chromosomes and males have X-Y chromosomes, the only reason Y chromosomes would appear on theblood test sexis whether the mother is pregnant with a boy.

As the required sample size is very small, the test can be performed in the comfort of your home. And to make things easier, you can receive your results within days of purchasing the Gender Prediction Test Kit.

While the shape of your belly may not help determine the sex of your baby, this simple home test is a reliable way to predict sex and can be performed as early as 6 weeks pregnant with 99.9% accuracy.

Sources:

Utah Health University. What pregnancy myths are really true?https://healthcare.utah.edu/the-scope/shows.php?shows=0_qtd1io6q

Huffington Post. Carrying high or low: crazy pregnancy myths.https://www.huffingtonpost.com.au/2016/04/02/baby-pregnancy-gender_n_9588058.html

DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION CENTERS. Data table for length-for-age and weight-for-age plots for girls.https://www.cdc.gov/growthcharts/who/girls_length_weight.htm

DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION CENTERS. Data table for children's length-by-age and weight-by-age tables.https://www.cdc.gov/growthcharts/who/boys_length_weight.htm

NIH. The Y chromosome: beyond gender determination.https://www.genome.gov/27557513/the-y-chromosome-beyond-gender-determination

Web MD. Abdominal Separation (Diastasis Recti).https://www.webmd.com/baby/guide/abdominal-separation-diastasis-recti#1

SneakPeek aims to provide the most accurate and up-to-date information to help our readers make informed decisions about their health before, during and after pregnancy. This article was written based on research and/or reliable scientific articles. Credible sources of information for this article are cited and linked.

FAQs

What does it mean when your baby bump is high? ›

An old wive's tale suggests that carrying high means you're expecting a boy. However, studies have shown that this is merely an urban myth. Your placenta has settled high. A high bump is caused by the placenta settling high up in the womb, which brings the baby and the umbilical cord up high, too.

How do I know if I'm carrying high or low? ›

"Carrying high" means the pregnancy bump, or the most protruding part of the belly, rides high on the abdomen. "Carrying low" means the bump is closer to the pelvis. If a woman has tight abdominal muscles, however, the bump will be high.

Does carrying high or low mean anything? ›

high. Carrying high or low has been long associated with guessing a baby's sex. Mothers who carry high are thought to have girls, whereas mothers who carry low are thought to have boys. But according to Kirtly Parker Jones, OB/GYN, there's no truth in that.

What does it mean if you carry your bump low? ›

"Carrying low" means the pregnancy bump, or the most protruding part of the belly, rests low on the abdomen, close to the pelvis. "Carrying high" means the bump rides closer to the breasts. If a woman has loose abdominal muscles, either because of age or a previous pregnancy, the bump will be low.

Do you gain more weight with a boy or girl? ›

Conclusion. Women carrying a male fetus have significantly increased maternal weight gain during pregnancy when compared to women with a female fetus. The increased sex ratio remains when adjusting for each newborn weight group.

What's the difference between a girl bump and boy bump? ›

A classic 'sign' of what sex baby you're having is how you're carrying – in other words, if your bump is all out in front or more spread out around. A spread-out bump that sits high is supposed to indicate that you are carrying a girl, and a lower, more compact bump is said to show you are having a boy.

What determines the shape of a pregnant belly? ›

Beyond that, the size and position of your baby may also affect how your belly looks on the outside. For example, later in pregnancy your baby may engage and move lower into the pelvis, making your bump look low. Your baby's position at any given time may also temporarily change the shape and size of your bump.

What does a low belly pregnancy mean? ›

Carrying low means that the largest part of your abdomen is sitting low and closer to the pelvis. Carrying low is more common when having multiples, if it is your second or third pregnancy, or if you do not have strong abdominal muscles. Some women also experience diastasis recti or abdominal separation.

When does pregnant belly grow the most? ›

Your Pregnant Belly: Third Trimester (Weeks 28 to 40)

By 28 weeks, your uterus—and your bump—has extended well above your belly button, Duke says. And as baby starts to put on more inches and ounces, they'll continue pushing your belly outwards, creating a sensation of fullness or tightness in your tummy.

What gender is greasy hair pregnancy? ›

Another classic old wives' tale states that if you have that wonderful 'pregnancy glow' and luscious locks you're likely having a boy. Whereas if you're experiencing greasy hair and regular breakouts you're carrying a girl. It's said this happens as a baby girl 'steals the mother's beauty'.

What are the signs that you are having a boy? ›

Old Wives' Tales Say You're Having a Boy If...
  • You're carrying low. ...
  • You're only gaining weight around your belly. ...
  • Your partner isn't gaining weight. ...
  • Your skin is clear and glowing. ...
  • Your morning sickness isn't that bad. ...
  • Your urine is a dull yellow. ...
  • Your feet are always cold. ...
  • Your baby's heart rate is low.
Nov 18, 2022

Does carrying low mean early delivery? ›

In all, carrying a baby low at the end of pregnancy doesn't mean labor will be shorter, happen sooner, or be a breeze. It is reassuring that your body is preparing, so be kind to yourself and get plenty of rest ahead of the big day!

What does it mean if baby is low? ›

When people talk about your baby dropping, they're actually referring to a term called lightening. Lightening is one of the major signs that labor is approaching. It happens when the baby's head literally “drops” lower into your pelvis, becoming engaged within your pubic bones.

Do you feel more tired when pregnant with a boy? ›

A recent study suggests that carrying a male or female foetus could lead to different immune responses in pregnant women. Pregnant women carrying girls have a greater chance of experiencing nausea and fatigue, according to the results of a study from the USA's Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center.

Do you feel more hungry when pregnant with a boy? ›

Harvard researchers say that pregnant women carrying boys eat about 10% more than those carrying girls. Their findings appear in the June 7 issue of the British Medical Journal.

Are you more hormonal when pregnant with a boy? ›

One myth suggests that pregnant women who do not experience mood swings are carrying boys, while those who do experience noticeable changes in mood are carrying girls. The truth is that most women will have mood swings during pregnancy, especially during the first and third trimesters.

Which gender is more active in womb? ›

Conclusion: Despite numerous prior studies derived from small samples failing to reveal significant sex differences in fetal activity, the present study demonstrates that males are about 10% more active than females during the latter two-thirds of pregnancy and are even more so following birth.

Which gender moves more during pregnancy? ›

One study, published in 2001 in the journal Human Fetal and Neonatal Movement Patterns, found that boys may move around more in the womb than girls. The average number of leg movements was much higher in the boys compared to the girls at 20, 34 and 37 weeks, that study found.

Who is more active baby boy or girl? ›

There have been many studies that have found boys move around more than girl babies. The biggest difference between the movement of baby boy and girl in one study was that there were more leg movements in boys at all stages throughout pregnancy.

Why are some pregnant bellies pointy? ›

Your Bump Can Reveal: If You Have Diastasis Recti

“The pregnant abdomen will sag somewhat, which to the lay person may look as if the woman is 'carrying low,'” Gaither says. When you lie down flat on your back or get into a plank position, your belly will appear almost pointy.

Can you tell the gender by the shape of the belly? ›

Their findings were published in an issue of Birth . The researchers found that the babies' gender was not related to the shape of the woman's abdomen, the severity of morning sickness, or comparisons with previous pregnancies—all common beliefs used to determine the baby's sex.

What determines your baby bump? ›

Strong abdominal muscles mean a growing uterus is going to stay closer to the core of the body, Kirkham explained, making a bump appear smaller. On the other hand, if core muscles have been stretched out from a previous pregnancy, a second or third pregnancy baby bump may look larger.

Why is my upper stomach bigger than my lower? ›

Why is my upper stomach bigger than my lower stomach? Upper belly fat is usually the result of the accumulation of visceral fat around your abdomen area. Stress, unhealthy lifestyle, and lack of sleep make your upper stomach bigger than your lower stomach.

What week of pregnancy does belly drop? ›

While it's different for every mom-to-be, babies will usually drop around two to four weeks before delivery in a first pregnancy. In subsequent pregnancies, your baby usually doesn't drop until you're in labor.

Which trimester does baby grow the fastest? ›

Second trimester (14 weeks and 0 days to 27 weeks and 6 days): The time of rapid growth and development.

What is the biggest growth week in pregnancy? ›

Week 25: This week, your baby will have a BIG growth spurt and will become over a foot long (13 inches or so) and weigh more than a pound and a half.

Why is my pregnant belly sometimes hard and sometimes soft? ›

If you're in your second or third trimester of pregnancy and you notice that sometimes your pregnant belly gets very hard, feels tight, and even causes mild discomfort, you're probably experiencing Braxton-Hicks contractions.

What happens to a woman's hair during pregnancy? ›

Hair and Nails

Many women have changes in hair texture and growth during pregnancy. Hormones can make your hair grow faster and fall out less. But these hair changes usually aren't permanent. Many women lose some hair in the postpartum period or after they stop breastfeeding.

Can hair be identified gender? ›

In this preliminary study, FISH correctly identified the gender of cells from hair as old as 26 days. The technique is accurate, rapid, sensitive, easily performed, and readily available. As a forensic laboratory technique, FISH shows great promise.

Do you get chin hair when pregnant? ›

Sprouting chin hairs? You can blame hormones again. Unwanted hair growth in places like your face or nipples can happen when you're pregnant—and postpartum. "If your estrogen levels remain elevated after pregnancy, the body utilizes an enzyme to change the estrogen to testosterone," said Dr.

What fruits should pregnant avoid? ›

Fruits to Avoid During Pregnancy Diet
  • Papaya – It tops the list for obvious reasons. ...
  • Pineapple – These are also not recommended to the pregnant women as they contain certain enzymes that alters the texture of cervix which could induce premature contractions. ...
  • Grapes –

Which parent determines a boy? ›

It's all about Dad's genes

A man's X and a woman's X combine to become a girl, and a man's Y combines with a woman's X to become a boy. But if the sperm don't have equal Xs and Ys, or if other genetic factors are at play, it can affect the sex ratio.

Why can't I sleep on my right side while pregnant? ›

Many physicians advise pregnant women to sleep on their left side. Previous studies have linked back and right-side sleeping with a higher risk of stillbirth, reduced fetal growth, low birth weight, and preeclampsia, a life-threatening high blood pressure disorder that affects the mother.

Why does my baby carry so low? ›

Carrying Low

Some expectant moms are built to carry low. In a second or third pregnancy and the muscles and ligaments that support the growing womb are a stretched and weakened, and can't hold up the growing womb as well as before.

What are signs that you will deliver early? ›

If you're having preterm labor, getting help quickly is the best thing to do.
  • Change in your vaginal discharge (watery, mucus or bloody) or more vaginal discharge than usual.
  • Pressure in your pelvis or lower belly, like your baby is pushing down.
  • Constant low, dull backache.
  • Belly cramps with or without diarrhea.

Can you tell if baby is low? ›

A woman's pregnancy bump may look like it is sitting lower when the baby drops. As the baby drops into the pelvis, the pressure in this area may increase. This may cause a woman to feel like she is waddling when she walks. When the baby drops, some women may experience flashes of pelvic pain.

What is high bump vs low bump? ›

An old wive's tale suggests that carrying high means you're expecting a boy. However, studies have shown that this is merely an urban myth. Your placenta has settled high. A high bump is caused by the placenta settling high up in the womb, which brings the baby and the umbilical cord up high, too.

Why do I feel my baby moving in my pubic area? ›

Movement and Kicking in the Pubic Area

You may be surprised to find that you can feel your baby kicking your cervix and even your bowels. But don't worry, fetal movements in the pubic area are normal and very common, if not annoying.

What is a low chance of baby having Down syndrome? ›

The cut off is 1 in 150. This means that if your screening test results show a risk of between 1 in 2 to 1 in 150 that the baby has Down's syndrome, this is classified as a higher risk result. If the results show a risk of 1 in 151 or more, this is classified as a lower risk result.

What are signs of a baby boy? ›

Old Wives' Tales Say You're Having a Boy If...
  • You're carrying low. ...
  • You're only gaining weight around your belly. ...
  • Your partner isn't gaining weight. ...
  • Your skin is clear and glowing. ...
  • Your morning sickness isn't that bad. ...
  • Your urine is a dull yellow. ...
  • Your feet are always cold. ...
  • Your baby's heart rate is low.
Nov 18, 2022

How do you know if its a girl or boy? ›

You can typically find out the sex of your baby via ultrasound. This will be performed between 18 and 20 weeks. The ultrasonographer will look at your baby's image on the screen and examine the genitals for different markers that suggest boy or girl. This is part of a larger anatomy scan.

Does a high fundal height mean a big baby? ›

A larger than expected fundal height could be a sign of fetal macrosomia. Excessive amniotic fluid (polyhydramnios). Having too much amniotic fluid — the fluid that surrounds and protects a baby during pregnancy — might be a sign that your baby is larger than average.

Which is the best month for baby birth? ›

Ever wondered why so many babies in the world are born around August and September? A study published in the journal, Human Reproduction has now found out that the chances of ahieving favourable results are higher around the late fall and early winter months.

Can a baby gender change? ›

Can the Gender of Baby Change During Pregnancy? Sex determination of a baby happens during fertilization, and it can't change during your pregnancy.

What is blooming in pregnancy? ›

looking healthy and attractive. This is often used about pregnant women, sometimes in a slightly humorous way. Synonyms and related words. Pregnant and be pregnant.

Who kicks more boy or girl? ›

One study, published in 2001 in the journal Human Fetal and Neonatal Movement Patterns, found that boys may move around more in the womb than girls. The average number of leg movements was much higher in the boys compared to the girls at 20, 34 and 37 weeks, that study found.

Does father or mother determine size of baby? ›

While the father's height and weight are important, it appears that the mother's weight at birth plays a key role in the final weight of the baby. Women who are overweight are more likely to give birth to a larger than the average baby.

Why is my fundal height so high? ›

If your fundal height is larger than expected, it may be because: You have too much amniotic fluid. You're having more than one baby. Your baby is larger than expected.

Does fundal height predict due date? ›

Does fundal height predict the due date? Healthcare providers don't use fundal height to measure your due date. Fundal height is used to track how big or small the fetus is compared to its gestational age.

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