Sex Selection

Almost every couple expecting their baby tries to predict its gender. Baby gender prediction is merely a way to satisfy the curiosity in the parents' mind. The need to get the prediction done is purely based on the parent's desire to check the sex of their unborn baby. It is not an unethical process like sex selection. Now a days there are various techniques and methods available for predicting the gender of the unborn child.

These methods are generally based on scientific and non scientific principles. The most popular scientific technique is ultra sound test. Ultra sound is not merely done for predicting the baby's gender as it is a part of the routine check up. It takes 16 weeks to predict the gender through an ultra sound test.

Then there are other diagnostic tests such as amniocentesis and chorionic villus sampling. Amniocentesis is done to detect any complications and it is done through extracting amniotic fluids from around the baby to test for complications. It is done around the 16th or the 18th week.

Chorionic villus sampling involves the testing of tissues extracted from outside the sac where the fetus develops. It is basically done to find any birth defects. It reveals the baby's gender as a side result.

Then there are other non scientific methods such as Chinese gender chart, heart beat based prediction method, needle or wedding ring prediction method and the Drano gender prediction test.

Since gender prediction has been going for many years, it also gave birth to certain myths which are in circulations for many years now. Some of the popular myths are:

* The first myth is related to the heartbeat of a pregnant woman. It is believed that if the heartbeat of an expectant mother is less than 140 beats per minute then she will have a boy and a heart beat exceeding 140 beats per minute will result in her giving birth to a girl.

* The second myth states that if the shape of the belly states that the woman is carrying the baby high then it is a girl and if it is low then it is a boy.

* The third myth is related to the morning sickness that goes like this. If the woman experiences severe morning sickness then it is a girl. If not, it is a boy.

* Another myth is that if the baby is active then it is a boy. If not it is a girl. This is because boys are believed to be more active in comparison to the girl. The craving for salt tells that the woman will have a boy whereas the craving for sweets will signal the arrival of a baby girl.

Although these methods and myth do not produce 100 percent result, they are still in practice for predicting a baby's gender.