You’re pregnant, and everyone is asking if you’re having a boy or a girl. But you don’t want to find out the gender until the baby is born. Some old wives’ tales claim dry lips during pregnancy mean you’re having one or the other. Is there any truth to this superstition? And is it a boy or a girl?
The Myth of Dry Lips Predicting Baby’s Gender
Chances are, you’ve heard the old wives’ tale that dry lips during pregnancy mean you’re having a boy. This myth has been passed down through generations, but there’s no real evidence to back it up.
Around week 6 or so of pregnancy, your body’s hormones start going haywire. Estrogen and progesterone levels surge to support your baby’s development, which can lead to changes in your skin and hair. For some women, this manifests as dry, chapped lips. However, baby boys and girls cause the same hormonal changes in moms. Dryness is linked more to your individual body’s reaction than to the baby’s sex.
So, is this a myth? Absolutely. There’s really no logical connection between those two things at all.
Superstitions
According to old wives’ tales, if you experience chapped, dry lips during pregnancy, you’re carrying a baby boy. The theory is that male fetuses draw more moisture away from your body as they develop, leaving you with parched lips.
According to others, this old wives’ tale got started because, back in the day, some pregnant women noticed they had dry lips. And since they didn’t know the sex of the baby yet, they figured it must have something to do with whether it’s a boy or girl. But there’s really no proof that’s true. It’s more likely your lips get dry because of all the hormones and not drinking enough water when you’re expecting. The changes in your body are going to affect you the same no matter if you end up with a son or daughter.
Still, these little myths and superstitions can be fun to ponder as you anxiously await the birth of your little one. And who knows, there’s always a 50% chance the old wives were right!
What Really Causes Dry Lips During Pregnancy
Dry, chapped lips are common during pregnancy, but contrary to folklore, they aren’t a reliable indicator of your baby’s gender. The real culprits are hormonal changes and dehydration.
As your pregnancy progresses, your estrogen levels rise and your body produces more blood. This can cause dehydration, especially if you aren’t drinking enough H2O. Dehydration is a leading cause of dry, cracked lips. Be sure to drink plenty of H2O and other decaffeinated fluids to keep your body hydrated.
Your skin also stretches during pregnancy to accommodate your growing belly. This skin expansion, combined with hormonal changes, can dry out and irritate your lips. Using a humidifier to add moisture to the air may provide some relief.
Slather on lip balm, ointment or salve frequently, especially in dry, heated indoor air. Look for lip products containing hydrating ingredients like shea butter, jojoba oil, beeswax, olive oil, cocoa butter and hyaluronic acid. Avoid products with fragrance, parabens or petroleum jelly which can further dry and irritate lips.
Exfoliate your lips gently to remove dry and dead skin. Make a simple sugar scrub by mixing sugar and coconut oil or olive oil. Gently rub the scrub on your lips and then rinse off. Follow up with a thick lip balm or ointment to seal in moisture.
Final Words
Some people swear that chapped lips can predict your baby’s gender, but the jury’s still out. Either way, keep that lip balm handy during your pregnancy journey. Stay hydrated, nourish your skin, and enjoy watching your body change in amazing ways as you prepare to meet your little one. Each twinge and tingle is part of the process. Before you know it, you’ll be holding that sweet baby in your arms, and it won’t matter one bit whether you have dry lips or not.
