Ring Gender Test: How Does It Work And Is It Accurate?

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Sex prediction folklores have been there since generations, as we did not always have a nifty technology. One such sex prediction test is the ring-on-a-string game. MomJunction tells you how to play this game. However, let us tell you that this has no scientific backing and may not be accurate.

How To Do The Ring Gender Test?

You may try the wedding ring test at your baby shower or in private with your family.

• Tie your wedding ring to a piece of thread.
• Hold the thread over your belly as you lie on the bed.
• You may also ask your partner to dangle it over your belly.
• Allow the string to move without any external interference.

There are also a few alternative ways to do the ring on a string test. Those variations include:

• Use a strand of hair in place of thread.
• Use a needle in place of a wedding ring.
• Hold the ring over the wrist instead of the belly.
• Place the threaded ring in your palm for some time, and then raise the string so that it swings over the palm.
• Hold the string in front of the belly while you are standing.

You may also use an engagement ring or promise ring instead of a wedding ring.

Interpreting the results

Here is how to interpret the result of this pregnancy test.

• If the ring moves in a circle, you are said to be carrying a girl.
• If it moves to and fro, you are said to be having a boy.

How Accurate Is The Ring Test For Sex Prediction?

If you are looking for scientifically proven sex predictors, the ring test is not one of them. It is part of folklore, and how it works is not known.

Practically speaking, this test might be influenced by the subconscious working of your mind and ideomotor movements. The ideomotor movements are subtle muscle movements that occur without any conscious effort. Dr. William B. Carpenter introduced the phrase “ideomotor action,” which means muscle movements responding to outside influences (1).

Are There Any Studies On Ring Test For Sex Prediction?

A study performed by Johns Hopkins of Bloomberg School of Public Health in 1999 found that amongst the 104 women who used any of the sex prediction methods such as the ring gender test, only 55% guessed it right, suggesting that using these methods is similar to taking a wild guess (2).

Ring On A String: The Safe Sex Prediction Test

Safety is of utmost importance during pregnancy. Eagerness to know the sex of the baby can sometimes lead to unwise decisions. However, the string test is safe and simple, although its accuracy cannot be guaranteed.

A better option is an ultrasound scan that is usually performed around 18th to 22nd week, as a part of regular prenatal check-ups, could help determine the baby’s sex (3). However, your doctor will not tell you about the sex of your baby if prenatal sex determination is illegal in your country.

Disclaimer: Sex-prediction methods are only for fun and do not replace medical examinations. MomJunction believes in gender equality; we do not support or encourage sex determination nor entertain any queries on finding the sex of the baby.

Did you try to predict the sex of your baby? Did any of the tests work? Let us know in the comments section below.

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