Dublin study confirms old wives' tale

A study carried out in Dublin's National Maternity Hospital has confirmed the old wives' tale that boys cause more problems than girls during childbirth.

The research found that women carrying male babies experienced longer labour periods, more foetal distress and were more likely to require assistance during delivery.

Maeve Eogan, who led the study, said the results confirm a midwives' myth, but should not cause worry about expectant mothers. "There's no need for women who are pregnant and know they are carrying a boy to be concerned, because certainly female infants are not immune to these complications," she said.