Conference moira::parenting_v3

    When I was carry my first child the heart beat was 180 to 190 so the
    doctor said it looks like your going to have a girl, I did not have a
    girl but instead a beautiful boy. When my sister was carrying her
    second child the heart beat was around 130 and the doctor said your
    going to have a boy and she did.
    
    So who knows what it means when the fetal heartbeat is fast or slow.
    
    carla
    

    Well, I'll get in on this one.  My ultrasound showed that
    I was having a boy and during one prenatal visit, the OB (not
    my regular OB) listened to the heartbeat and said "sounds like
    a girl to me!"  Boy, did he get ME nervous and wondering if
    he was right or not.  He was wrong.
    
    Nurses and doctors told my sister in law that the heartbeat
    of her baby sounded like a boy...her DAUGHTER is 3 now.
    
    So, I guess the heartbeat isn't always an accurate way
    of guessing...
    
    Linda

    It's always worked for us. First one...in 140's and a boy. Second one
    was in 170's and a girl. Third one in 130's and a boy. This one is
    running 150 so far...so what's that???
    
    For what it's worth, I am told that up to about 20 weeks or so (give or
    take a couple) the heart beat of most all babies is on the high side,
    and this method of prediction is most accurate at the end of the
    pregnancy....for what it's worth!
    
    --dave--

    ...same as my cat's (she's a girl too)!
    
    Leslie

    I have a boy and a girl.  They both are 140's.  However,
    both times my doctors' predictions are right.  I also have two
    different doctors. 
    
    Wendy
    

    
    my first one was 160-170, he is a boy, second one 140s, he is a boy
    also!
    

    
    heartbeat 165-175 during all non-stress tests.  we were "afraid" it 
    was a girl because of the high heart rate (we didn't have a girl's 
    name picked out, not that we didn't want one!).  result=boy!
    
    cj/

    When do they start counting the heart rate?  I had my second dr's appt
    on Wednesday - I heard the heartbeat for the first time!  Will they
    start counting at my next appt?
    
    I am 13 weeks.
    
    Sonia

Kat, about 135 as I recall, and so active the dr. had trouble getting a 
      reading, predicted to be a boy.

Steven, about 180, predicted to be a girl.

David, about 180 also, neither dr. nor I were sure but we both inclined 
      toward girl 

--bonnie

    My Dr. wouldn't tell me what the heartbeat was -- he said it didn't
    mean anything.  I've been listening to it for 3 months now.
    
    I think he thought I was a little silly when I asked (all my friends
    want to know so that they can make predictions!)

    My son Alexander's was around 170, The doctor's and nurses didn't
    really try and perdict the sex because they said that they arn't always
    right with the heart beat because sometimes the boys have a fast one
    and the girls have a slow one.
    
    Liz

    RE:  .8
    
    Sonia,
    
    I'm not sure when they begin counting the heartbeat.  The only reason I 
    knew it that I has an ultrasound at 11 weeks and the heartbeat rate
    showed on the screen.  To tell you the truth, I probably would not have
    thought about it, but when my sister-in-law knew her's was 179 from an 
    ultrasound also, she asked me to check, because she was curious to see
    if mine would be similar.  
    
    We are kind of hoping for a girl, so I got really excited when the
    heart rate was fast, but judging from the other responses, I guess it
    really is an "old wives tale".   Actually we will be thrilled whether 
    it is a boy or girl, as long as the baby is healthy.
    
    Thanks for all the responses.
    Janet

    re:.10
    
    My doctor was the same way...  When I was pregnant, the baby's
    heartbeat was consistently 125, but then *she* was consistently
    sleeping every time the doctor checked.  Heart rate in anyone
    changes with activity level.
    
    - K

    My sister's third child had a very fast heartbeat in the womb.
    (She already had 2 girls).  Her doctor said, "This sounds like a
    little girl to me!"  It was a boy.  They can't tell just from
    the heartbeat. 

    They start counting the heart rate as soon as they can hear it beating,
    which is usually at 10-12 weeks earliest (and then only if baby is
    cooperatively placed within the womb). If it beats, they count, but
    they may not tell you unless you ask.
    
    --dave--

    I'll never forget the ultrasound I had when they told me the sex
    of the baby.  The ultrasound tech said, "It's a boy" and I said, 
    "What do you mean, the baby had a heart rate of 180 and I thought 
    that meant it was a girl" and she said, "You can't always go by
    the heart rate".
    
    My SON will be 6 months old on Sunday.
    
    Lori B. 

RE: >>   They start counting the heart rate as soon as they can hear it beating,
    >>which is usually at 10-12 weeks earliest (and then only if baby is
    >>cooperatively placed within the womb). 

With both of my pregnancies, we had no trouble hearing the heartbeat at 9 wks.

I've never been told the heartbeat of the babies, and I never asked.  I always
thought the gender-predictions based on heartbeat was a wives tale, and based
on the reponses to this note, I'm still inclined to believe that.

� �ori �

P.S. But I *DID* hear if you carry the baby all in front, it will be a boy,
but if you tend to "spread out" (hips, buttocks, thighs, etc.) it will be a
girl.  Another wives tale, no doubt.

    My babies heart beat was 160-170 the entire pregnancy and my doctor
    said you're having a girl - and she was right!!

    140/150 was the average reading while I was expecting my son,
    Daniel.

    I never gave it much thought, as we didn't want to know if it was a boy
    or a girl. Then, a friend of mine, who is a secretary for a ob/gyn told
    me the slower heartbeat (around 130/160) was supposed to be a boy.

    My next appointment, I heard the doctor mumble, "hum, 140". From then
    on, I asked every time we heard the heartbeat.

    Since I orignally began this topic, I thought I would update all of
    you.  As I stated, in the 11th week the fetal heartbeat was 180 which
    according to the "old wives tale" indicates a girl.  Then durig the 
    ultrasound with my amnio the heartbeat was 150, so I figured must be
    a boy.  Well, my amnio results are in and IT'S A GIRL, so I guess I
    have to rule that there is not much truth to the "old wives tale".
    The nurse did say however that usually during the beginning weeks, 
    most fetal heartbeats are very high and they slow down as the pregnancy
    progresses.
    
    Janet

    Just wanted to add my own two cents worth seeing as all my friends are
    just now having their babies and as mine are mid teens I can
    concentrate on things as they happen to others. The last five
    pregnancies that I have been really close to have been as follows;
    three girls, all had high heart rates, 2 boys, one was low, one was
    high. So it isn't always accurate. I think it depends on how active the
    baby is during labor as that is when we took notice of the heart rates. 
    We never paid any attention to it until then.  one thing you can be
    sure of.....you will have one or the other!!!!!!
    
    Trudy 

    When I was pregnant I used to get so annoyed with the people who used
    to pester me, "Do you know what you're having?"  I replied, "I'm not
    having a kitten or a puppy, that's for sure.  It's a human baby." 
    "Yes, but do you KNOW the sex?"  "No, we chose not to be told."
    
    "Well, what do you WANT?"  I honestly answered, "The only prejudice I
    have is that I want a child who'se very bright, and healthy of course. 
    Beyond that I don't much care either way."
    
    I noticed that if she's not dressed in feminine clothes, the FIRST
    question strangers ask is her sex.  To me, what's important is that she
    has big, bright, shiny eyes, is very active and curious, has a ready
    smile and a delightful laugh.  I care very much that her hands are
    always busy creeping on the floor, grasping and turning a toy, or
    exploring people's faces.  None of these characteristics are
    gender-based.  And that's what's important to me.
    
    Laura

    To .22:
    
    Thanks, Laura, for reminding us all of just how "special" all babies
    are -- just being themselves!!
    
    Dale

    
    You said when she's not dressed up all feminine, the first question
    they ask is her sex, its probably because they just want to know wether
    to say HE or SHE "is so cute", etc...  thats all I would take it as.
    
    I know I have been guilty of asking the sex for this reason only.
    
    Boy or girl, they are all precious.
    
    Chris
    

    
    re: .24
    
    I prefer to ask "How old is your baby?"  or "What is your baby's name?"
    before commenting on how cute he/she is.   Helps to figure out what
    pronoun to use in the rest of the conversation without stepping on
    toes.
    
    Carol

    re: .24
    
    What it is, they say "How _cute_ she is!" or "Isn't she _pretty_!"
    but "He looks so _bright and curious_!" or "He looks so _strong_!"
    
    And then they say, "How can you let dress such a cute little girl
    in boy's clothes?" 
    
    Or, "Aren't you afraid somebody will think he's a girl with those
    curls?  Maybe you should get him something with trains on it."
    
    I did get a few "Isn't he sweet" with David, but the only people
    who remarked on Kat's intelligent appearance were under the
    impression she was a boy.
    
    I understand other people have not had this experience, but this
    was what happened with my three.
    
    --bonnie