Folklore
Does Heartburn Mean You Are Having a Girl?
Posted 15 Oct 2026
Heartburn is one of the classic old wives’ tales linked to baby girls. It is lovely to wonder, yet it remains pure entertainment rather than a reliable sign.
Many mums-to-be notice heartburn creeping in as the bump grows and instantly wonder what it might mean for the baby’s sex. One of the most repeated stories is that fierce heartburn points to a girl.
The idea has been passed around for generations, often with a knowing smile at antenatal groups. Like most fetal-sex folklore, it offers a bit of fun while you wait for the next scan or the big reveal.
In reality, heartburn is extremely common in pregnancy. Hormones relax the valve at the top of the stomach and the growing baby takes up more room, so acid can travel upwards more easily. None of this is linked to whether you are carrying a boy or a girl.
So enjoy the old tale if it makes the weeks feel lighter, but treat it as entertainment only. Your midwife or doctor remains the best place for genuine pregnancy questions, and the ultrasound or birth will give you the real answer in good time.
Until then, a glass of milk, smaller meals and an extra pillow can ease the burn while you keep guessing for pure pleasure.
