Does heartburn mean you are having a girl?

Many mums-to-be notice heartburn creeping in as the bump grows and wonder whether it hints at a girl. The old tale says that if you suffer with that burning feeling, you are carrying a daughter, while a more comfortable tummy points to a boy.

It is easy to see why the story stuck. Pregnancy hormones relax the valve between stomach and gullet, and the growing baby presses upward, so heartburn becomes common for lots of women whatever the sex of the baby.

No scientific study has ever shown that heartburn predicts whether you will welcome a boy or a girl. Ultrasound and other medical checks remain the only ways to find out for certain, when you choose to know.

Still, these bits of folklore keep the waiting time fun. Share the heartburn theory with friends, compare notes, and enjoy the gentle entertainment while you look after yourself with small, frequent meals and an extra pillow at night.

Whatever your little one turns out to be, the heartburn usually eases once baby arrives. Until then, treat the old wives’ tale as a charming distraction rather than a firm answer.