What is the difference between boy pregnancies and girl pregnancies?
Research has found that carrying a boy could increase the risk of developing preeclampsia compared to carrying a girl.
The news publication Forskning interviewed obstetrician Jacob Alexander Lykke, who confirmed there is a difference between boy and girl pregnancies:
“There is a big difference between carrying a boy and carrying a girl when you are pregnant.”
“There are studies done that show that more male fetuses are miscarried, more boys are born prematurely.”
“And that there is also an increased risk of preeclampsia when you are pregnant with a boy.”
In a study from 2010, researchers found that carrying a boy was linked to an increased risk of developing preeclampsia.
As per Forskning, Karin Källén, one of the study’s lead researchers, said:
“We investigated various birth-related complications for both boys and girls, and in all of them, the boys had a small, but still significantly higher risk of complications.”
Pre-eclampsia is a complication of pregnancy, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Some signs include high blood pressure and signs of organ damage.
If left untreated, preeclampsia can lead to serious and even fatal complications for both the pregnant person and the baby.
The study also found that male newborns had an increased odds ratio for infection and preterm premature rupture of membranes.
Abruptio placenta and polyhydramnios were found to have higher risks when carrying a boy compared to carrying a girl.
However, Jacob Alexander Lykke urges parents not to worry if they are carrying a boy
“Even if research shows that there is an increased risk of complications, it is important to remember that the overall risk is still very small.”
“Luckily, medical science is very advanced these days when it comes to being able to diagnose and treat things like preeclampsia and prematurely born babies.”
