When Can You Find Out Your Baby's Sex

 

From the moment you find out you're pregnant, one exciting question can often come up: Is it a boy or a girl? The anticipation of knowing your baby's sex or gender can be thrilling for soon-to-be parents. At Wellington Obstetrics, we understand this excitement, as well as the choices expectant parents may face in finding out what they’re having. 

Discovering your baby's sex or gender has evolved from a delivery room surprise to a planned gender reveal, thanks to advancements in medical imaging and genetic testing. 

Here are some of the ways you might find out your baby’s sex:

Ultrasound

The most common method for gender determination is through an anatomy scan ultrasound, typically performed around the 20-week mark. This scan not only assesses the baby’s development but can also reveal the gender, provided the baby is positioned correctly.

  • What to Expect: The sonographer will check your baby’s physical development and can often, if requested, identify the gender based on the visibility of genitalia.

  • Accuracy: While highly reliable, the accuracy can depend on factors such as the baby's position and the technician's experience.

  • Timing: Performed at 18-22 weeks, with the optimal time at 20 weeks for the clearest view.

Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing (NIPT)

If you are having an NIPT to screen for chromosomal conditions, it also reveals the baby's fetal sex. NIPT is a simple blood test that can be done as early as 11 weeks into the pregnancy. It screens for chromosomal conditions and also reveals the baby’s gender by detecting Y chromosomes, indicative of a male.

  • What to Expect: A blood draw from the mother's arm, analysing DNA from the placenta.

  • Accuracy: Alongside vital genetic information, over 99% effective at detecting gender, 

  • Timing: Results are typically available within a week or two from testing.

While the excitement of discovering your baby's sex may pique interest in Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing (NIPT), it's crucial to understand the fundamental purpose of these tests. The primary purpose of NIPTs is to assess the risk of certain genetic conditions, such as Down syndrome, trisomy 18, and trisomy 13, by analysing small fragments of fetal DNA in the mother’s blood. This advanced screening offers a safe way to gain valuable insights into the baby’s health early in pregnancy without posing risks associated with invasive tests. While NIPTs can also reveal the baby's sex, this is a secondary benefit and not the primary reason for the test. 

To learn more about NIPT, read our previous blog here.

Fun Predictions and Old Wives' Tales

While less scientific, many families enjoy guessing the baby's gender based on old wives' tales or using tools like the Chinese Gender Calendar. These methods offer a fun way to speculate about your baby’s gender and involve family and friends in your pregnancy journey.

Why not try hanging a coin over the expectant mother's belly. This old wives' tale says that you can dangle a coin tied to a string over the pregnant belly and observe its motion— if it swings in a circular motion, the baby is said to be a girl; if it sways back and forth, prepare for a boy.

Keeping it a Surprise

For parents who prefer the anticipation, you can choose to keep the baby's gender a surprise until birth. Simply inform your healthcare provider and ultrasound technician of your preference to keep the gender undisclosed during scans.

Choosing when and how to find out your baby's gender is a personal decision influenced by various factors, including medical, emotional, and cultural considerations. It's important to discuss these options with your healthcare provider, who can guide you based on your health and pregnancy progression.

How we celebrate this exciting time with you

Whether you decide to find out your baby’s gender or keep it a surprise until birth, Wellington Obstetrics supports your journey with expert care and comprehensive services. We celebrate this exciting time with you, providing guidance and support tailored to you.

If you have a NIPT test with Wellington Obstetrics, we will only advise you of the sex of your baby if and when you are ready to receive this information.  We will happily share it in one of the following ways:

  • During the NIPT result phone call with you,

  • In an envelope to be picked up at reception,

  • By emailing results directly to you, or

  • Via your midwife if Wellington Obstetrics is not your LMC.

Engage with Us on Social Media: Join our community on Instagram where we share more tips, stories, and updates on maternal health. Follow us, share your experience ( gender reveal story), and become a part of our supportive community. #WellingtonObstetrics

 
Pregnancy Scans & TestsSarah WrightPregnancy care, pregnancy ultrasound, nipt test