Hair Growth in Pregnancy: Does It Predict Gender?
The old wives' tale says that faster, thicker hair growth means you are having a boy, while thinner or unchanged hair points to a girl. It is a fun one to wonder about, but the short answer is no: how your hair behaves in pregnancy is down to your hormones, not your baby's sex. Here is where the myth comes from, what is really going on with your hair, and the reliable ways to actually find out whether you are having a boy or a girl.
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The Theory
The belief is simple: thicker, faster-growing, glossier hair is said to mean a boy, while thinner, slower-growing, or unchanged hair is said to mean a girl. Some versions extend this to body hair too, suggesting that more body or leg hair signals a boy. Like most gender myths, it offers a tidy "either/or" answer — which is exactly why it can seem accurate after the event.The Reality
There is no scientific basis for using hair growth to predict your baby's sex. The changes you notice are caused by pregnancy hormones, particularly oestrogen, which affect everyone in pregnancy regardless of whether they are carrying a boy or a girl.Normally, individual hairs are always at different stages of a cycle, and some are constantly shed. In pregnancy, higher oestrogen levels extend the growing phase, so fewer hairs fall out than usual. The result is that many people find their hair feels thicker, fuller, and faster-growing during pregnancy — whatever their baby's sex. (Many also notice more shedding in the months after birth, as hair cycles return to normal. This is normal and temporary.)
Because the myth only offers two outcomes, it will appear "right" for roughly half of pregnancies purely by chance — around 50%, the same as a coin toss. A guess being correct sometimes is not the same as a method that works.
How to Actually Find Out
If you would like to know your baby's sex reliably, there are proper options:- The mid-pregnancy ultrasound (around 18–21 weeks on the NHS) can often show the sex, although it depends on baby's position and is not the scan's main purpose
- NIPT (non-invasive prenatal testing), a blood test usually available from around 10 weeks, can indicate the sex; it is offered privately and sometimes within NHS screening pathways
- Diagnostic tests such as amniocentesis can confirm sex, but these are only done for medical reasons, not curiosity
Enjoy the old wives' tales for fun, but treat them as entertainment rather than information.
FAQ
### Does hair growth predict baby gender?No. Pregnancy hormones, mainly oestrogen, make hair feel thicker in many people regardless of whether they are having a boy or a girl. This old wives' tale has no scientific basis and is right only about half the time, by chance.
Why does my hair seem thicker in pregnancy?
Higher oestrogen levels extend the hair's growing phase, so you shed fewer hairs than usual and your hair can feel fuller. This happens in pregnancies with boys and girls alike, and often reverses with some extra shedding in the months after birth.
What is the most reliable way to find out my baby's sex?
The most reliable options are a mid-pregnancy ultrasound (around 18–21 weeks), or a blood test such as NIPT from around 10 weeks. Diagnostic tests can confirm sex but are only carried out for medical reasons.
For any questions about your scans or tests, speak to your midwife or GP for advice specific to your pregnancy.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice.
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