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Carrying High vs. LowSouthern Pregnancy Folklore

A Southern old wives’ tale and pregnancy superstition: if an expectant mother carries the baby high, it’s said to be a girl; if she carries low, it’s said to be a boy.

#SouthernFolklore  

Origin

This superstition has been passed down in the South and Appalachia for generations. Women compared how a mother "carried" her baby long before medical scans existed. Versions of this belief appear in many cultures, but Southerners made it part of their rich body of pregnancy folklore, alongside other gender predictions like the wedding ring test or cravings for sweet versus salty foods.

Notes

Even today, you’ll hear folks say: "She’s carrying high, must be a girl." For some families, it’s playful guessing, while for others it was once taken seriously. This old wives’ tale has been repeated so often it’s nearly as common as asking about baby names.

Kin Words, Stories and More

Dislaimer

All folklore shared here is part of Southern tradition and storytelling. It's not medical, legal, or practical advice - just the way our grandparents told it. Believe it or not, that's up to you.Learn more on the Folklore hub page.

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Created by The Hillbilly Dude, this site is a growing field guide to culture, speech, memory, and meaning - rooted in Appalachia but reaching across the world. Every slang word, saying, accent and story is gathered from first-hand experience and trusted sources. The goal: preserve authentic voices and share them with writers, learners, and culture lovers everywhere - with a little humor thrown in here and there. Read more...
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