How Accurate is Ultrasound to Tell Baby’s Gender
Curious about predicting your little one’s gender through ultrasound? Well, here’s the scoop!
Ultrasounds are pretty spot-on, becoming more accurate as the weeks roll by. While early predictions might feel like playing the guessing game at a baby shower, the accuracy amps up as you progress. By the 18th to 20th week, it’s often the real deal, with ultrasounds boasting about 95 to 99% accuracy in identifying your baby’s gender.
While it’s tempting to play detective with those black-and-white snapshots, decoding the gender might need an expert’s touch. Ultrasound images can be a bit like abstract art, and without a trained eye, you might end up with more questions than answers. The accuracy of gender prediction relies heavily on the skill of the sonographer and the clarity of the image. So, while the temptation to play gender detective is real, it’s wise to let the pros do their thing!
But if you’re too excited to wait for the doctor’s confirmation on your child’s sex, here’s how to tell your baby’s gender from an ultrasound picture.
How to Tell Baby Gender From Ultrasound Picture
If you’re curious to give it a try, here are the most popular ways mums claim you can tell a baby’s gender from an early sonogram:
- Placenta on the right side of the uterus (also called the Ramzi theory) = boy
- Placenta on the left side of uterus = girl
- Private parts nub pointing up less than 30 per cent = girl
- Private parts nub point up more than 30 per cent = boy
- Square skull and jaw = boy
- Round skull = girl
What Do They Look For in a Girl During Ultrasound?
When you’re pregnant, you often get to see your little one on an ultrasound. It’s a magical experience! It also helps on how to tell baby gender from ultrasound pictures. But what do they look for in an ultrasound to tell that the baby is a girl?
The first thing they look for is what’s called “nuchal translucency.” This measures the fluid around the baby’s neck and spine. If there’s more fluid than normal, it can indicate abnormalities in the baby’s spinal cord or brain. If this happens, they’ll test further to find out what’s wrong with your sweet little one!
Next, they’ll check out your baby’s limbs, feet and hands. They’ll want to know if all of these parts look symmetrical—if one limb looks smaller or if one hand has fewer fingers than another, for example. This can be an indicator of Down Syndrome or other genetic disorders. If everything looks symmetrical and healthy, though? You’re good!
They’ll check out your baby’s face—specifically their nose and mouth. They’ll want to see if everything is symmetrical here, too—no extra nostrils (or worse), no missing ones!
Then they’ll check her pelvic bones and reproductive organs to see if she has ovaries, fallopian tubes, and a uterus. They’ll also be looking for signs of female genitalia: labia majora (the outer lips), labia minora (inner lips), the clitoris (which will often be hidden from view), and vaginal opening.
Image Source: iStock
What Do They Look For in a Boy During Ultrasound?
They’re not just looking at the size of his genitals (although that’s an important factor). They’re also looking at his facial structure, his body shape, and even the way he moves. So, how to tell from an ultrasound picture if you’re expecting a baby boy?
The size of his genitals is important because it helps determine how much space he’ll have to grow there.
You should also pay attention to how his mouth and eyes line up: they should be roughly symmetrical. This tells us that his brain development has gone well so far and will continue to do so. If one eye is larger than the other or doesn’t line up at all, this could indicate problems with development later on down the road.
What Determines the Gender of a Baby
The chromosomes determine the gender of a baby in the sperm and egg.
During the early stages of life, an embryo has all the necessary parts for both male and female reproductive systems. However, it is only at the moment of conception that these parts are not just present but also active.
The father’s sperm determines whether or not a baby is male or female. If his sperm contains an X and Y chromosome, the baby will be a boy; if his sperm contains two X chromosomes, it will be a girl.
To create a male baby, both parents must contribute an X chromosome; if one parent contributes an X chromosome and the other contributes a Y, there will be no Y chromosome in either sperm or egg cells.
How to Know Baby Gender Without Ultrasound
Now you have an idea of how to tell baby gender from an ultrasound picture. We all know that ultrasounds are the best way to determine your baby’s gender, but what if you don’t have access to it at the moment? What if you cannot get one for financial reasons, lack of insurance, or just plain old inconvenience?
In those cases, you may want to check these methods that are believed to be ways to determine whether you’re having a boy or a girl. But do remember that there is no clear evidence that these are absolute ways and are not always accurate.
The Chinese Gender Calendar
The Chinese Gender Calendar is based on the idea that each year corresponds with a yin or yang characteristic—yin being female and yang being male. The year of your child’s birth should be written down on an index card and placed in a small bag with various items representing their gender: pink for girls and blue for boys.
The Hormone Test
The hormone test uses a blood sample from your arm to determine whether your body produces higher-than-normal amounts of either male or female hormones. If you’re pregnant with a boy, your body will produce high male hormones (such as testosterone).
If you’re pregnant with a girl, it will produce higher levels of female hormones (like estrogen). By testing the amount of these hormones in your bloodstream, doctors can determine whether or not you’re having a boy or girl.
Sex Position Determining the Gender of Baby
There are a lot of myths related to determining a baby’s sex. One of them is the couple’s sex position during intercourse when they conceived the baby.
According to science, no evidence shows how you lay during intercourse affects your baby’s gender. That said, there are still some people who believe that this is true.
Sex position does not determine the gender of your child. It does not matter what position you choose for sex, whether you’re on top or bottom, your baby’s gender will be determined by its chromosomes and not by how you make love to your partner.
Checking baby image through an ipad | Image Source: iStock
Is It Legal to Check Gender of Baby in Singapore
The short answer: Yes, it is legal to find out the gender of your baby in Singapore.
If you’re in Singapore and want to find out if your baby is a boy or a girl, you can go to a medical professional who will be able to tell you by using an ultrasound. Ultrasounds are usually done between 18 to 20 weeks of gestation and are safe for both mother and child.
However, some countries prohibit checking gender during pregnancy because they believe it may lead to sex-selective abortion or illegal fetal gender testing. Other countries allow it with certain restrictions on what information can be shared with parents.
In Singapore, there are no laws against having an ultrasound or knowing the sex of your baby before birth.
In conclusion, deciphering your baby’s gender through ultrasound adds an extra layer of excitement to the anticipation of parenthood. While these sonograms offer a glimpse into the mystery of your little one’s identity, it’s essential to approach the process with a mix of curiosity and realism.
Remember, the joy lies not just in the revelation of pink or blue but in the incredible journey of bringing a new life into the world. So, embrace the wonder of the ultrasound experience, and get ready for the beautiful surprises parenthood has in store!
Updated by Pheona Ilagan
CafeMom, Very Well Family, Live Science
Here at theAsianparent Singapore, it’s important for us to give information that is correct, significant, and timely. But this doesn’t serve as an alternative for medical advice or medical treatment. theAsianparent Singapore is not responsible for those that would choose to drink medicines based on information from our website. If you have any doubts, we recommend consulting your doctor for clearer information.
