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Heartburn in PregnancySouthern Folklore About Hairy Babies

A Southern old wives’ tale and pregnancy superstition: if a mother has heartburn during pregnancy, her baby will be born with a lot of hair.

#SouthernFolklore  

Origin

This superstition has long been passed down in the South and Appalachia. Women would swap stories, comparing their heartburn and their babies’ hair to see if the saying held true. While modern science has mostly dismissed it, one small study found a loose correlation - but for Southerners, it was already a staple of pregnancy folklore.

Notes

You’ll still hear: "All that heartburn means she’s having a hairy baby." It’s usually said with a grin, part teasing and part tradition. This old wives’ tale remains one of the most common pregnancy predictions in Southern families.

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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