Baby Heart Rate: Gender Predictor or Old Wives' Tale?

For generations, expectant parents have listened eagerly to those tiny heartbeats, wondering if they hold the secret to their baby’s gender.

Like nub theory and skull theory, it’s one of those methods that feels unquestionably rooted in scientific fact.

But is there truth to the tale, or is it just another charming pregnancy myth?

Does science back the baby heart rate gender predictor? So far, studies say no.

Let’s get to the heart of the matter.

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How to determine gender of baby by heart rate

So, you’ve heard the old wives’ tale: over 140 beats per minute (bpm) means a girl, and under 140 bpm signals a boy.

The theory that a baby’s heart rate can predict its sex as early as the first trimester has been whispered in prenatal clinic hallways and family gatherings alike.

And typically, this involves comparing the baby’s heart rate per minute during prenatal checkups.

It’s a tempting clue, isn’t it? That the rhythm of that tiny heart can reveal so much.

But is this method just a playful guess, or is there an echo of truth to it?

How accurate is heart rate to determine baby gender?

Here’s a heartwarming fact: around week five of pregnancy, your baby’s heart begins its rhythmic journey, starting at a leisurely 110 bpm.

As the weeks roll on, this little heart picks up the pace, racing towards a peak of 140 to 170 bpm by week nine.

But spoiler alert: medical science tells us that there’s no reliable correlation between a baby’s heart rate and its sex.

Studies show that the heart rate of male and female fetuses is quite similar in the first trimester, and any variations are not significant enough to be a gender indicator

This heart-thumping excitement is the same for both boys and girls.

So, while we all love a good story, science tells us that these beats per minute are more about growing healthy and strong than revealing your baby’s future wardrobe.

Really, it’s about as accurate a sign as pregnancy cravings or a gender ring test.

What gender is my baby heart rate?

Want to test the theory anyway? Go for it!

Just maybe don’t lean too heavily on the results for that gender reveal.

Gender disappointment can happen to anyone for any reason—best to manage any expectations and keep any manifesting energy squarely on you and your baby’s health.

Here’s what you need to know to give the baby heart rate gender predictor a try:

Which heart rate is faster: girl or boy?

The myth goes: girls are sprinters, boys are joggers.

In reality, the heart rates of both genders can range widely and overlap significantly.

While it’s a fun guessing game, science doesn’t back up the claim that one gender consistently has a faster heartbeat than the other.

Is 160 bpm a boy or a girl?

160 beats per minute—a number that sparks debate in many prenatal appointments.

According to lore, low bpm in pregnancy means a boy, so this could indicate a girl.

However, in the light of science, for a 160 heart rate, baby gender can go either way.

Can a baby boy have a heart rate of 160?

Absolutely! A baby boy can have a heart rate of 160 bpm, just as a baby girl can.

Heart rates in fetuses can range anywhere from 110 to 160 bpm and change with different stages of pregnancy, activity levels, and other health factors.

In fact, one study found it’s not until after at least 28 weeks, that baby’s sex could influence fetal heart rate.

But by that stage, your anatomy scan would have revealed all.

Is a 150 heartbeat a boy or girl?

A 140 fetal heart rate or higher is still in girl territory (so the theory goes).

And a low bpm for a boy is considered anything below that: think a 138 fetal heart rate.

But there’s a range here too, anything below 100 in the first 6 to 8 weeks of gestation—especially below 90 bpm—increases the chance of pregnancy loss.

It may also be a case of a rare disorder called fetal bradycardia, which can be caused by certain medications, maternal autoimmune disease, or fetal distress.

The disorder shows up in a few different types but is typically temporary.

Heart rate 180 at 9 weeks: boy or girl?

On the other side of the spectrum is a quick-fast thumping beat to rival Whiplash.

So far, the theory would suggest it’s a sure sign you’re having a girl but medical science would say “not quite my tempo”.

It’s because a normal fetal heart rate stays between 120 to 160 bpm. Anything higher, say above 180, could be a sign of fetal tachycardia.

Again, the causes can vary from high thyroid levels or fetal infection to distress to stimulants or fever during pregnancy.

Only 5% of fetuses with fetal tachycardia go onto have congenital heart disease.

Once their rapid heartbeat is assessed on ultrasound, your healthcare provider will work closely with you to decide the best treatment plan that tackles the root cause.

Yes, there are treatment options.

What does a baby’s heartbeat sound like: boy or girl?

Some say that a sound like galloping horses means a girl, while a heartbeat like a moving train signals a boy

The truth is the heartbeats of both sexes are actually more similar than they are different and equally mesmerizing.

For most Peaut moms that rapid, rhythmic gallop, like tiny horses racing, formed their fetal heart rate soundtrack—no matter their baby’s sex.

But don’t rule out moving trains just yet.

While the idea that baby heart rate can predict gender is a charming part of pregnancy folklore, it remains just that—an old wives’ tale.

In the end, whether it’s 140, 150, or 160 bpm, the heart rate is a sign of your baby’s health and vitality, not a gender reveal.

So, let’s enjoy the heartbeats for what they truly are—the rhythm of a new life beginning, regardless of whether it’s a boy or a girl.