   Heartburn in PregnancySouthern Folklore About Hairy BabiesA Southern old wives’ tale and pregnancy superstition: if a mother has heartburn during pregnancy, her baby will be born with a lot of hair. Hillbilly Dude Says...  With my young'uns, I heard plenty of people sayin' 'you’ve got heartburn every night, that baby’s gonna come out with a head full of hair.' This one comes up often. Hillbilly Dude Says... With my young'uns, I heard plenty of people sayin' 'you’ve got heartburn every night, that baby’s gonna come out with a head full of hair.' This one comes up often. OriginThis 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. NotesYou’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. DislaimerWhat you're reading here is old Southern folklore and storytelling - not medical advice, and not meant to guide health, or pregnancy decisions (especially pregnancy decisions!). These tales are part of how folks once made sense of the world, passed down from grandparents and midwives. If you have any medical questions or concerns, talk with a qualified healthcare professional. Learn more on the Folklore hub page. | ...
About 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... |