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Original poster

Sounds mad but it’s true, honest! If you have 3 kids…

429 replies

Nunaluna · 07/05/2025 20:00

Same dad, no miscarriages to ‘break the chain’, if the first 2 are opposite sex, the third will be whatever number 2 was - so BGG, or GBB. Not BGB, or GBG.

It sounds crazy but it’s something I noticed ages ago - every time somebody announces they’re having a third, and they have one of each, I know it will be the same as the second child.

Prove me wrong, Mumsnetters!

OP posts:
Waterweight · 08/05/2025 04:24

Not to rub it in but I was the third child & a girl (2 older brothers)

Overhaul54 · 08/05/2025 03:49

Nunaluna · 07/05/2025 20:12

It’s just something I’ve noticed - every time somebody with a boy and a girl announces they’re expecting number 3 I think ‘oh yeah that’ll be a boy/girl’ depending on what number 2 was, and sure enough I always seem to be right!

How would you or even the mum know about miscarriages to “break the chain”? Many happen too early to even notice.

I haven’t noticed it either. Not true for the three families I nannied for.

AnnoyedAsAllHeck · 08/05/2025 03:26

Sorry but my BFF had GBG. Sorry to burst your bubble. 🙂

echt · 08/05/2025 02:49

Nunaluna · 07/05/2025 22:48

Yes, I know, but she’s explaining why my perception is that there are more of this combination even though there aren’t.

There seem to be a lot of posters irked by a very benign, harmless, silly thread.

Show quote history

That could be because you're saying something is true when it's just anecdata.

kkloo · 08/05/2025 02:31

I've thought about this loads of times but the other way around....every 3 kid family I know is BGB or GBG, I always know what the 3rd will be.

Boreded · 08/05/2025 02:20

Nunaluna · 07/05/2025 20:22

This post proves it (kinda) - the 2 same sex siblings are always in a row, with BGB or GBG being the rarest combination.

Show quote history

You need to look into probability 🫣

you have:
BBB, BBG, BGB, BGG, GBB, GBG, GGB, GGG as the full 8 options.

2 options are non-consecutive sexes
6 options have consecutive sexes

so obviously you are going to get a 25:75 split in favour of consecutive sexes. (This is in reference to quoted post)

BUT to your first post, it is a 50:50 chance of baby 2 and 3 being the same sex…obviously 🫣

Mothership4two · 08/05/2025 02:13

In my very small sample of friends and family it tends to be the opposite: BGB or GBG. Two of my closest friends each had BGB. I have one of each amongst my cousins: BGB and BGG.

TheSilentMajority · 08/05/2025 02:09

DUsername · 07/05/2025 20:07

Not true for me, I have girl boy girl.

we also have this - 3 years 3 kids gbg

Strawberrymoonx · 08/05/2025 01:56

I have had Boy, Boy, 5 week miscarriage then a Girl. All same dad

4kids3pets · 08/05/2025 01:47

Nope bbgg my siblings gbgb

DiaryofaProvincialLady · 08/05/2025 01:19

Nunaluna · 07/05/2025 20:00

Same dad, no miscarriages to ‘break the chain’, if the first 2 are opposite sex, the third will be whatever number 2 was - so BGG, or GBB. Not BGB, or GBG.

It sounds crazy but it’s something I noticed ages ago - every time somebody announces they’re having a third, and they have one of each, I know it will be the same as the second child.

Prove me wrong, Mumsnetters!

Kate Middleton
The Queen

Flidina · 08/05/2025 01:09

I've never noticed this pattern anywhere, I have 6 kids , BGBGBG

BombayBicycleclub · 08/05/2025 01:02

The man’s sperm determines the sex so it literally is 50/50

Peacepleaselouise · 08/05/2025 00:53

I have four friends with 3 kids and they are GBB, BGB, BGB, BBG so no pattern there.

Shitmonger · 08/05/2025 00:52

Sorry, I’m afraid that both of my currently pregnant friends are BGB!

zizza · 08/05/2025 00:46

BGB for me too

Jaq27 · 08/05/2025 00:31

My mum had GGG. My middle sister had GBGBG. I didn’t have three so I’ll never know …

Mama2many73 · 08/05/2025 00:18

I'm one of 4. All same dad, no miscarriages. And we are gbgg.

My aunty had 4 ggbg
my friend is one of 4 ggbb
However DB does fit, 3 kids bgg.

JHound · 08/05/2025 00:13

Not true.

My friend is the eldest of three:

GBG

twilightermummy · 08/05/2025 00:13

My 3 are BGB and my parents had GBG. Your theory is shite I'm afraid 😂

Tangled123 · 08/05/2025 00:11

I was going to say this theory is wrong based on my BIL and his fiancé, who have GBGG (and GG on the way), but then I thought of everyone else I know who has a big ish family:

A work colleague has BBB.
I had a teacher who has BBBBB
My parents neighbours have BBBGGG
My dad’s family was GBBG,
my husband’s family is also GBBG,
I’m not sure about my mum’s side as it’s too big, but out of her sisters who have more than 3, it went:

GGGBB
BGGBG
GBBB.

now I’m a convert.

TrixieFatell · 07/05/2025 23:42

Nope. Same dad, no miscarriages. The two eldest are the same gender, the third a different gender

prelovedusername · 07/05/2025 23:40

GBB. Do I win?

Stressed2025 · 07/05/2025 23:38

Absolute rubbish. GBG here

Rosecoffeecup · 07/05/2025 23:28

I reckon I know just as many GBGs as I do BGG