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Ask A Midwife

Q. I am approximately 4 weeks pregnant and curious about everything. I was wondering how much experience you have had with the gender predicting "ring test." Do you think it is accurate and if so, how does it work? I am really eager to learn about his because my mom says it is never wrong. Thanks for you time.

A. Congratulations! The ring test is not at all scientific, of course, nor does it have its basis in even natural physiology. It is, however, an awfully lot of fun to do and hope and wonder what sex baby you may have. It isn't dangerous per se, so if you find it fun, go ahead and do it, but do not rely on it as anything more than fun. Nobody can say that it is "never wrong" as there are way too many babies born whose mothers are never tested, so really, it is just anecdotal theory. I've heard the Chinese birth chart is never wrong, yet according to it, my son should be a girl. I do know many people whose ring tests were truly indicative of the sex baby they had, but again, it's all in fun, and there is no real basis for its accuracy.

For additional fun ways to guess at gender, try:

Boy or Girl:Interactive Gender Prediction Test

Vickii Gervais is a Certified Professional Midwife who has attended over 600 births.