The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge—a.k.a Prince William and Kate Middleton—are "expecting a baby in July," according to a royal announcement and the news has folks wondering if the wording means the end of the rumor that she's carrying twins. We think it means this: That royal baby will be a girl.
Ever since Kate was hospitalized following severe morning sickness, rumors have been swirling that she is pregnant with twins. That's because severe morning sickness (hyperemesis gravidarumis) is more common in women carrying multiple babies, according to the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. It's thought that spiking hormone levels are to blame.
But here's the thing: The condition is also more common in moms-to-be who are carrying a baby girl. And there seems to be some truth to the wives' tale that girl moms get sicker. Several studies have found women with morning sickness are more likely to deliver a baby girl, according to The New York Times. One study out of the University of Washington even found that moms-to-be who were so sick they had to be hospitalized (hello, Duchess!) had an 80 percent higher chance of delivering a girl than other moms.
As the mom of two daughters, I can tell you I not only had pretty hard-core morning sickness, I had afternoon and evening sickness, too. For, like, months. My sister, the mother of two boys? Not a second spent bent over the toilet or a trash can.
Good thing someone thought ahead and changed British law so that royal daughters now have the same rights as sons when it comes to ascending to the throne. We say: Bring on the pink!
A version of this story originally appeared on iVillage.