When can you find out the gender of the baby?
There are different methods by which the sex of the baby can be determined during the different periods of pregnancy – from the earliest 9 weeks of gestation to the latest on the day of birth.
Usually, the sex of the baby is understood during an ultrasound examination, which is carried out between 18 and 22 weeks of pregnancy. This is the most common method. However, there are other methods that can be used. But while all of them are reliable, not all of them are right for everyone. Some of them carry significant risks. The purpose of most of these tests is to look for other information, and gender detection is a secondary benefit.
When and how can you find out the gender of the baby?
Here are some possible ways to find out the gender of the baby:
Ultrasound examination
Ultrasound examination is a non-invasive and most commonly used method for determining the sex of the baby during pregnancy.
An ultrasound done at 13-14 weeks of gestation usually as part of the nuchal translucency screening can reveal the baby’s gender depending on its position and the clarity of the ultrasound image. In the absence of good visibility, you will have to wait until 18 – 22 weeks of gestation.
Fetal morphology is an ultrasound examination of the fetus that is performed between 18 and 22 weeks of pregnancy. During this examination, various measurements are made, the weight of the fetus is assessed, the placenta is examined, a thorough examination of all the organs of the fetus is made, and the sex of the baby is determined.
Non-invasive prenatal test (NIPT)
The non-invasive prenatal test ( NIPT ) is a blood test that is performed after 9 weeks of pregnancy. It analyzes small fragments of fetal DNA circulating in the mother’s blood. It was developed to screen for chromosomal abnormalities such as Down syndrome, but it can also determine a baby’s gender with over 99% accuracy. This method makes it possible to find out the sex of the baby as early as possible.
The non-invasive prenatal test is expensive and the result is usually available after a week, as the blood sample is sent for testing abroad. This test is needed in women who are at high risk of having a baby with a chromosomal abnormality – have already had a baby with a chromosomal abnormality or are over 35 years old at the time of birth.
Amniocentesis
Amniocentesis is an invasive procedure in which a small amount of amniotic fluid is extracted through the pregnant woman’s abdominal wall using a needle and under ultrasound control. It is usually performed between 16 and 18 weeks of gestation.
This test is mainly done to diagnose genetic abnormalities, but it can also determine the sex of the baby. Due to the invasive nature and possible risk of complications, amniocentesis is performed only when medically necessary.
