When is the sex of the baby visible?

What does the sex of the child depend on?

The sex of the baby is determined after conception. The baby receives one sex chromosome from mom and another from dad. So who does the gender of the child depend on? The woman has karyotype XX and the man has karyotype XY. This means that always from the mother the child will receive an X chromosome, and it is up to the father to “decide” what sex the child will ultimately be. If the father passes on the X chromosome – the fetus will be a girl, and if Y – a boy. Interestingly, by the 45th. Day of fetal life each fetus is female. It is only at a later time that genes located on the Y chromosome are activated and male hormones appear.

What is the easiest way to identify the sex of a baby?

Accurately determining the sex of the baby depends on the experience of the person performing the test, the type of camera on which the ultrasound is performed, the week of pregnancy and the sex itself. It is easiest to determine the sex of the baby after 12 t.c., when the baby becomes visible in the sagittal plane, which divides the body into two nearly symmetrical halves, left and right. Once the baby is visualized in such a plane, we turn our attention to the genital area and find the bulge, depending on whether it is facing at an acute angle cephalad or caudal. In the first case we find a male fetus, in the second – a female fetus.

See also: Week 27 of pregnancy – what month is it and what does the baby look like on ultrasound?

When can the sex of the baby be seen on ultrasound?

Experienced specialists, when the baby is properly positioned, are able to identify its sex during an ultrasound at 12. week of pregnancy. Most often, however, the gynecologist advises to wait to find out the sex even until the 15. or The 16th week of pregnancy – then it is easier to see the differences in the structure of the reproductive organs. The greatest certainty and confirmation of the accuracy of the previous diagnosis is provided by the so-called. Midterm examination, usually performed between 18. a 22. week of pregnancy. This is when most Parents-to-be begin the intensive gathering of items necessary for the care of the newborn.

Sex of the baby – free fetal DNA test

Recently, non-invasive free fetal DNA testing has become increasingly popular. It is performed after drawing venous blood from a pregnant woman and is mainly used to detect possible chromosomal aberrations in the baby. However, it is possible to also receive information on the sex of the child in the test results. However, this is not a reimbursed method – the test is performed at the will of the Parents and they are the ones who pay for it. The effectiveness of the study is estimated at approx. 99%.

When you can see the sex of your baby – prenatal blood tests

If Parents want to find out the sex of the baby as soon as possible, it is worth performing non-invasive genetic prenatal tests. With these, it manages to identify in about 12. week of pregnancy sex of the baby. Why is it worth performing such a study? Although at this week of pregnancy the sex of the baby has long been determined, the sex organs are still very similar and cannot be accurately identified on ultrasound, so the doctor may make a mistake in identifying the sex.

Amniocentesis in diagnosing the sex of the baby

It is also possible to determine the sex by amniocentesis (amniocentesis). It is an invasive prenatal test, performed under local anesthesia. During the test, the doctor pierces the abdominal shell and the uterine wall with a thin needle, and then takes a sample of amniotic fluid, from which genetic testing is performed. With this method you can know the sex of your baby with 100% certainty, although the purpose of amniocentesis is quite different. The test is usually performed when fetal abnormalities are suspected.

Chorionic villus biopsy

Chorionic villus biopsy is one of three invasive prenatal tests (along with amniocentesis and cordocentesis) and is ordered for women with suspected abnormalities related to fetal development. Pregnant women are referred for a biopsy if a suspicion of a malformation or other serious health disorder in the baby has arisen during non-invasive prenatal testing.

The study is conducted under ultrasound guidance. They can be performed very early in pregnancy – between 9. a 11. week. Using a special needle or catheter, a section of the chorionic villi is taken through the cervical canal. The chorionic villi is a membrane, surrounding the embryo, made of the same tissues as the fetus. The results of the test can reveal the presence of sickle cell anemia or the presence of serious genetic diseases, and in the process determine the sex of the developing baby. Once you receive a positive result, you can start the next preparations for the birth of your child with renewed vigor.

A chorionic villus biopsy, like any other invasive prenatal test, carries some risk of complications, including miscarriage. It is, however, low at approx. 1%. Nevertheless, the test is recommended by doctors only in special cases. So if we want to perform them solely to find out the sex of the baby, it is definitely not a good idea, and the previously mentioned methods are much safer.

Invasive tests to confirm the sex of the baby – karyotype

100% certainty in the diagnosis of the sex of the baby are the results from genetic testing, including the invasive karyotype, obtained from exfoliated fetal cells collected with amniotic fluid. Karyotype testing is possible, for example, after amniocentesis.

To perform a karyotype test, it is necessary to obtain the patient’s cells that have a cell nucleus and establish their culture. For this purpose, peripheral blood is usually drawn (from the ulnar vein), from which blood cells – primarily lymphocytes – are then isolated. Karyotype testing can also be done from marrow or amniotic fluid cells, fibroblasts and any other dividing tissue. However, the karyotype test is primarily recommended not to know the sex of the child, but in case of problems with conceiving a child. The karyotype is also an important test for couples who plan to proceed with in vitro fertilization (IVF).

Mistakes in recognizing the sex of the baby

There are situations when, despite knowing the sex of the baby during pregnancy, it turns out during delivery that the sex is different from what was predicted from the ultrasound. Some of the reasons for confusion in recognizing the sex of the child include. the baby’s position making it difficult to visualize the genitals or the location of the umbilical cord between the baby’s legs. Correctly diagnosing the sex of the baby also depends on the skill of the doctor and the equipment he has in his office. It is best to choose gynecologists who have been certified by FMF (The Fetal Medicine Foundation). It confirms the doctor’s ultrasound skills. It is also worth bearing in mind that a factor that contributes to misdiagnosis of sex on ultrasound is obesity in the pregnant woman.

When you can see the sex of the baby – “The nub theory” method

“The nub theory” involves assessing the sex of a child even before 12. Week of pregnancy based on the angle of the genital cusp in relation to the spinal cord. The dangle theory, also known as the angle of the dangle method, is a non-scientific method of trying to predict sex performed most often between 11. a 14. week of pregnancy. It involves examining the “nodule” (nub), which is part of the developing fetal genitalia.

All fetuses in the early stages of development have a genital nodule that looks similar, regardless of whether it eventually develops into male or female genital organs. The mentioned nodule looks on ultrasound like a small protuberance between the fetus’ legs. In the nodule theory, the angle at which the nodule is located in relation to the spine is the key to predicting sex. It is assumed that:

• A nodule located at an angle of less than 30 degrees to the spine usually indicates female sex,
• A nodule located at an angle greater than 30 degrees usually indicates male sex.

Test for the sex of the baby – does it work?

A baby gender test is a popular way to determine the sex of a toddler. If you can’t wait and want to know the sex of the baby as soon as possible, the test can be helpful. The test for the sex of the baby from urine looks like the pregnancy one. All you need to do is collect a urine sample in a special container, then take a little bit with a pipette and drop it on the test. After a while, the bar will tint to the appropriate color. Usually blue indicates that a boy will be born, and pink indicates that it will be a girl.

How do you know if it’s a boy or a girl? The test detects male hormones present in the urine of the mother-to-be. If they are, the test will indicate a boy, if not, a girl. Do you want to know the sex of your baby as soon as possible? The test is possible as early as 10. A week pregnant! However, it is worth remembering that the home test for the sex of the baby is more for fun and is not a substitute for an ultrasound. Although according to the manufacturers you will know with 90% accuracy whether it is a boy or a girl, the test is not fully reliable, and the manufacturers do not take responsibility for the result.

Is it possible to identify the sex of the baby by homemade means?

Certainly, many people will suggest to a pregnant woman whether a boy or a girl will be born, based on cravings, the shape of her belly and the appearance of her complexion. Apparently, a craving for sweets suggests a girl, and a craving for sour suggests a boy. It is also said that the mother-to-be gives away her beauty to her daughter, which can negatively affect the condition of her skin. As for the shape of the belly, on the other hand – a protruding forward belly is supposed to indicate a son, and a rounded one a girl. However, non-medical ways do not find any confirmation and are worth treating with a pinch of salt. There is also no scientific evidence that a pregnant woman ‘s possible cravings are gender-specific.

Is it possible to plan the sex of the baby?

Some Parents not only wonder what month the sex of the baby is visible on the ultrasound, but also look for mysterious ways to plan the sex of the baby. Some aim with conception on a specific day of the cycle, while others believe that there are sexual positions or special diets that help to conceive a specific sex. What reference does this have in reality? Neither the position during intercourse nor intercourse on specific days of the cycle has a documented relationship with the sex of the child. The chance of begetting a son or daughter is the same and is always 50%.

FAQ

• When is the sex of the baby visible?

The sex of the baby will be visible at around 12 at the earliest. week of pregnancy, but specialists recommend holding off until the 15th. and sometimes even up to 20. One week of pregnancy.

• Can a doctor misdiagnose the sex of a baby?

Sometimes the doctor will incorrectly identify the sex of the baby. This depends primarily on the baby’s position, which may make it difficult to visualize the genitals, or the location of the umbilical cord between the baby’s legs.

• Gender of the baby – when can you see on ultrasound?

An ultrasound will most accurately indicate the sex of the baby at the end of the first trimester of pregnancy.

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