Yes, some studies suggest that mothers pregnant with girls may produce slightly more estrogen.
While most past studies didn't find significant differences in estrogen levels based on the baby's sex, some research, including a recent study, indicates mothers carrying girls tend to have somewhat higher estrogen levels. This variation is highlighted in the information:
Most previous studies observed no differences in maternal estrogens by child sex (19, 25, 39), but in some, mothers of girls had somewhat higher estrogens (19, 39). In our data mothers of girls had significantly higher estrogens than mothers of boys.
This shows that while the norm has been to find no difference, some studies do show higher estrogen in pregnancies with female babies. It’s important to note that this is not always the case, and hormonal changes during pregnancy are complex and can be affected by multiple factors.
Here's a table summarizing the general findings on estrogen levels in pregnancy based on the sex of the baby:
| Study Type | Estrogen Levels |
|---|---|
| Most Previous Studies | No significant difference observed |
| Some Previous Studies & Recent Data | Mothers of girls tend to have higher estrogens |
Implications
- Hormonal Fluctuations: Estrogen levels naturally increase during pregnancy to support the developing baby and pregnancy maintenance.
- Research Variability: Conflicting results from different studies could be due to factors like methodology, participant variability, and the timing of hormone measurements.
- Not a Definitive Marker: Increased estrogen levels during a pregnancy are not a reliable way to predict the sex of the baby.
Therefore, while it's generally accepted that pregnancy involves increased estrogen levels, the notion of mothers of girls producing more estrogen is supported by some studies, although this remains an active area of research.
