IN an earlier column I told of how, one day in the office, a pregnant member of Daily Echo staff was lying on the floor, somewhere between the fax machine and the photographic department.

As her male colleagues typed away as normal, the females had left their desks to inquisitively stand around her.

I don't know what it is about certain landmark occasions that brings out something primordial in us, but it seemed that a group of professional women had suddenly morphed into a temporary coven.

The chief of the witches was holding a needle on a piece of thread over her peer's swollen stomach and several pairs of eyes intently watched its course.

It swung triumphantly from side to side, apparently meaning that the mother was expecting a girl.

The gathering cackled and muttered their approval. "My turn! My turn" exclaimed another expectant member of Daily Echo staff, and that afternoon, three mums-to-be were party to this ritual.

One other editorial staff member had the needle moving in very deliberate circles, indicating that she should paint the nursery blue, while an advertising rep had the needle swing from side to side.

Six months later and three healthy babies have been born. But did the needle accurately predict their gender?

The answer is yes, spot on in all three cases: Two girls and a boy.

Call it coincidence, or dismiss it as an old wives' tale if you will, but other mums have sworn by this method of telling their babies' sex.

And congratulations to Jane, Hilary and Lorraine on their little bundles of joy.

First published: September 23