Almost every woman with a visible baby bump has been asked whether she is having a girl or a boy. The gender of the baby is determined at conception, although differentiation of the sexual organs does not begin until the middle of the sixth week of gestation, according to the NOVA article, “How Is Sex Determined?” Various tests can inform parents of the baby’s gender.
Chorionic Villus Sampling
Chorionic villus sampling is generally performed at the end of the first trimester, as early as 10 weeks but more often between weeks 10 and 12 after your last menstrual period, according to the WebMD article, “Pregnancy and Chorionic Villus Sampling.” The test removes cells from the edge of the placenta and is used to detect various conditions such as:
- Down syndrome
- sickle cell anemia
- cystic fibrosis
- Tay-Sachs disease
- but it can also reveal the baby’s gender
The test may cause miscarriage, vaginal bleeding or fluid leakage and, in rare cases, damage to the baby’s fingers and toes. Obstetricians might recommend the CVS for pregnant women who are over 35, have abnormal genetic testing results or have had a previous baby with birth defects.
Sampling Amniotic Fluid
An amniocentesis samples amniotic fluid using a needle inserted into the uterus through the abdominal wall, generally performed in the 16th week of pregnancy or later. The risk for miscarriage with an amniocentesis is less than the risk from the CVS, according to WebMD. The test is performed for the same reasons your doctor might recommend the CVS or if you have an abnormal ultrasound. The amniocentesis identifies more genetic diseases than the CVS and also reveals the gender of the baby.
Mid-Pregnancy Sonogram
Many obstetricians and midwives recommend a midpregnancy ultrasound around the 18th to 22nd week of pregnancy.
Ramzi's Method
An uncommon option that may predict the baby’s gender early in pregnancy is known as Ramzi’s Method and relies on 2-D sonograms performed at six weeks gestation. The procedure uses the placement of the chorionic villus or placenta to predict the baby’s gender.