In which week is baby’s gender developed? How many weeks pregnant can you be to find out the gender? How accurate is the Chinese baby gender calendar? How does a gender ultrasound work? Learn more about baby gender prediction ways here.
It’s one of the most often asked questions by excited parents. Knowing about their baby’s sex lets them manage their expectations (especially if they’re biased towards a particular gender) and also helps them with their preparations (choosing clothes, accessories, etc.)
You can now find out your baby’s sex at various times of pregnancy, from the first trimester through the day of delivery. Here’s what expecting parents should know.
Baby Gender Prediction
Sex vs. Gender
First and foremost, the distinction between sex and gender must be made. The sex of a baby is decided by its reproductive organs, chromosomes, hormones, and so on. Gender, on the other hand, is not fixed.
“Everyone’s gender is unique to them and can be independent of their chromosomal complement,” says Reproductive Medicine Associates of Connecticut’s medical director, Mark P. Leondires, MD. He explains:
“For example, someone who is born with the chromosome complement 46XY may identify as male, non-binary or female.”
A prenatal sex test can predict a baby’s sex but not its gender.
While sex is biological, gender is the social role that a person eventually identifies with. Some people grow up to reject gender entirely, while others identify as nonbinary or as a gender other than the one assigned to them by healthcare providers at birth.
Parents should consider that sex does not necessarily predict a child’s gender. Furthermore, neither sex nor gender identification discloses anything about the child’s future personality or interests.
With that said, although “gender” is the commonly used term for predicting whether your baby will be a boy or a girl, it’s important to clarify that from this point in the article, when we refer to “gender,” we are actually discussing your baby’s biological sex.
In Which Week is the Baby’s Gender Developed
The development of a baby’s gender occurs at conception. The father’s sperm carries either an X or a Y chromosome, which determines the baby’s sex. From the moment of fertilization, the baby’s gender is set. However, it may not be detectable on ultrasound until later in the pregnancy.
When to Know Baby’s Gender
How many weeks pregnant can you be to find out the gender?
Most healthcare providers recommend waiting until at least 18 to 20 weeks into pregnancy for the baby gender prediction ultrasound. It’s more accurate at this stage because the baby’s genitalia are more developed and visible. However, it can sometimes be determined earlier or through genetic testing if desired.
The optimal time to find out your baby’s gender can vary based on the method you choose. Ultrasound is typically used to determine gender between 18 and 20 weeks of pregnancy, while non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) can provide gender information as early as 10 weeks.
Image from iStock
How to Tell Baby’s Gender
If you are interested in finding out how soon can you know about your baby’s sex, experts are saying that some tests can provide accurate results from the 10th week of gestation.
Furthermore, no prenatal sex testing is completely reliable. Human error, odd chromosomes, flaws in testing, and scientific knowledge all contribute to the chance of a surprise at birth.
When it comes to determining the gender of your child, there is no single test that is used for everyone. So, if you wish to know the sex ahead of time, your doctor can utilise various tests at various stages of your pregnancy.
What are the different baby gender prediction ways?
There are numerous methods for predicting a baby’s gender, ranging from old wives’ tales and myths to modern techniques like genetic testing. Common methods include ultrasound scans, genetic tests, and the Chinese Gender Calculator Chart. However, none of these methods are foolproof, and the most reliable way to determine a baby’s gender is through prenatal genetic testing.
However, while all of these tests are reliable, they are not all appropriate for everyone. Some of them are really dangerous. Finding out the sex is a secondary benefit for the majority of the tests listed, as the test is looking for other information.
From the earliest options, the following are possible ways to learn your baby’s sex.
1. Ultrasound
This, by far, can give you the most accurate baby gender prediction.
An ultrasound is a normal prenatal test in which you lie on a table and have your stomach scanned. This test uses sound waves to create an image of your baby and is frequently used to monitor your baby’s development and health.
Because ultrasound provides an image of your baby, it can also disclose the gender of your baby. Most doctors arrange an ultrasound between 18 and 21 weeks, but the sex can be established by ultrasound as early as 14 weeks.
Image from iStock
Although a baby’s penis or vulva begins to form as early as 6 weeks, boy and girl newborns look quite identical on ultrasound until around 14 weeks, and they can still be difficult to distinguish for several weeks after that.
How accurate is a gender ultrasound?
If the baby is in a posture that allows the genitals to be seen, an ultrasound technician will most likely be able to identify the sex by 18 weeks. Otherwise, if you get another ultrasound later in your pregnancy, you may be able to find out.
However, it is not always 100 per cent accurate. Your baby may be in an uncomfortable posture, making it difficult to see the genitals clearly. If the technician is unable to locate a penis, they will assume that you are having a girl, and vice versa. However, mistakes do occur.
2. Non-invasive Prenatal Test
Noninvasive prenatal testing (NIPT), a blood test that can detect Down syndrome and a few other chromosomal disorders, can reveal your baby’s sex beginning at 10 weeks of pregnancy. The findings take a week or two to get back. It also looks for male sex chromosome fragments in your blood, which can be used to identify whether you’re carrying a boy or a girl.
This test is meant for women who are at a higher risk of having a child with chromosomal problems, but it is frequently available to women who are at a lower risk as well. Discuss if the test is appropriate for you with your provider.
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3. Amniocentesis
If you choose NIPT and get a positive result, your doctor would most likely prescribe an amniocentesis (or “amnio”) test to follow up on the results.
Amniocentesis is a technique used to diagnose and detect developmental problems in a fetus. A small amount of amniotic fluid is collected by your doctor, which contains cells that signal problems. Down syndrome, spina bifida, and other genetic disorders are examined in the cells.
If an ultrasound reveals an anomaly, if you are beyond the age of 35 at the time of delivery, or if you have a family history of chromosome disorders, your healthcare professional may recommend an amniocentesis. This test is available between 15 and 18 weeks of pregnancy and takes about 30 minutes.
Your doctor will use an ultrasound to verify your baby’s position in the womb before inserting a small needle into your abdomen to remove the amniotic fluid. Cramping, bruising, and spotting are all risks. There is also the possibility of miscarriage.
An amniocentesis not only detects birth defects and other anomalies in your kid, but it also determines the gender of your child. The results of this test will be available in two weeks. So, if you don’t want to know, let your doctor know before the test so he doesn’t spill the beans.
4. Chorionic Villus Sampling
CVS, like amniocentesis, is only performed if your prenatal tests are positive. One genetic test used to determine Down syndrome is chronic villus sampling (CVS). This test takes a sample of chorionic villus, which is a form of placental tissue. It displays your baby’s genetic information.
This test is available as early as the 10th or 12th week of pregnancy. It can also indicate your baby’s sex because it contains gene information about him or her. The results of this test will be available in two weeks.
If you are above the age of 35 or have a family history of chromosome abnormalities, your doctor may recommend CVS. This is an accurate test for determining the gender of the baby, but it does have certain hazards.
Some women have cramping, bleeding, or amniotic fluid leakage, and there is also a risk of miscarriage and preterm labor.
5. In Vitro Fertilization with Sex Selection
Artificial insemination or in vitro fertilization. | Image from iStock
If you’re considering in vitro fertilization (IVF), you can choose the gender of your baby. IVF helps with fertility by uniting a mature egg with sperm outside of the body. This produces an embryo, which is then implanted in the womb.
If you like, you can have the sex of separate embryos determined and then only transfer the embryos of your selected sex.
If having a kid of a specific gender is important to you, this could be an option.
Sex selection in conjunction with IVF is approximately 99 per cent correct. However, there is a chance of multiple births with IVF if more than one embryo is transferred to the uterus.
6. Chinese Baby Gender Calculator
The Chinese baby gender calculator, also known as the Chinese Gender Chart, is an ancient method for predicting a baby’s gender based on the mother’s age at conception and the month of conception. According to this chart, you can determine whether you’re having a boy or a girl.
How accurate is the Chinese baby gender calendar?
The Chinese Gender Chart is a fun and culturally significant tool, but its accuracy is debatable. It’s believed to have about a 50% success rate, which is similar to the odds of guessing randomly. It’s essential to remember that it’s a tradition rather than a scientifically verified method.
While it’s a fun and culturally interesting tool, its accuracy is not scientifically proven, and its results should be taken with a grain of salt.
Learning your baby’s sex can be thrilling and useful in preparing for his or her birth. Some couples, on the other hand, like the anticipation and learn the gender of their kid only in the delivery room — and that’s absolutely fine.
In the fascinating journey of pregnancy, baby gender prediction is a source of excitement and anticipation for many parents-to-be. Whether you’re eager to know if it’s a boy or a girl, remember that these methods, while intriguing, may not always be foolproof.
For the most reliable results and the well-being of both you and your baby, it’s crucial to consult your healthcare provider throughout your pregnancy journey, addressing any health-related concerns. The joy of welcoming a new life into the world is a remarkable experience, regardless of gender.
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