Everything An Expectant Parent Needs To Know About Baby Gender Tests
Everything An Expectant Parent Needs To Know About Baby Gender Tests
Diving into the ins and outs of baby gender tests and how expecting parents can find out the gender of their baby before they are born.
Keyword(s): baby gender tests
Each year, over 3 million babies are born in the US! An estimated 58% of expecting parents opt to find out their baby's gender before the baby is born.
When it's your first pregnancy, you may have questions about how baby gender tests work and which ones are accurate. There are tons of so-called "methods" floating around the internet, but only some of them guarantee accuracy!
If you're looking for a definitive guide to baby gender tests, you've come to the right place.
Read on to find out which baby gender tests really work and which ones are no more reliable than flipping a coin.
The Most Accurate Baby Gender Tests
Chances are, if you're curious about your unborn baby's gender, you're looking for accuracy! In order to get an accurate read, you'll need the assistance of medical professionals or medical equipment. Otherwise, your test is more of a guess than a scientific prediction!
Let's look at your options for accurate baby gender assessment.
Ultrasounds
The most common and accurate way to find out your baby's gender is to get an ultrasound at 13 weeks or later. As long as the baby is properly positioned at the time of the ultrasound, your technician will be able to get a clear read of your baby's gender!
In fact, you can even get special packages that include 2D gender photography or more advanced video footage of your baby to bring to the gender reveal. The farther along you are, the more you'll be able to tell not only the baby's gender but what he or she will look like upon arrival!
Amniocentesis
Amniocentesis is perhaps the most accurate baby gender test you can get--but the odds of getting one are incredibly low. Why?
This test is far more invasive than ultrasound procedures and comes with a few risks that your doctor will not take lightly. It's worth mentioning because we get questions about this procedure often but we don't recommend pursuing this particular baby gender test.
Genetic Blood Tests
Strangely enough, the genetic blood test works--but you've got a more accurate read if you discover you're having a boy than if you're having a girl.
The genetic blood test involves testing a sample of Mom's blood in search of any Y chromosomes. If a Y chromosome is present, you're having a boy! If there is no Y chromosome present, that could mean two things: either you're having a girl or there was no Y chromosome present in that particular sample.
This is a test you can get as early as 7 weeks which is why some parents find it appealing. However, it's still a good idea to go forward with the ultrasound down the road, just to make sure the results are accurate!
Less Accurate Baby Gender Tests
What about tests that are accurate often but not always? This is where drugstore baby gender prediction kits come into play.
Baby Gender Prediction Kits
You can find these prediction kits online or at the drugstore. They're inexpensive and claim to produce accurate results as early as 10 weeks, which sounds appealing.
The problem is that there's not a lot of evidence backing up these kits. The objective is to mix the mother's urine with the solution provided in the kit to see how the two interact. However, doctors have noted that there's no sign that the baby is affecting the mother's urine in a way that would lend to these tests' accuracy.
Why do we say it's less accurate than not accurate at all? Many moms have used them only to discover that they were correct. However, with a 50/50 shot, to begin with, it could just be luck!
Tricks That Won't Hurt--But Aren't Accurate
We hear about all sorts of tricks that have been around for generations and supposedly uncover a baby's gender before birth. The ones we'll talk about here are not harmful in any way and can still be a great deal of fun! We just wouldn't recommend putting too much stock in the results.
The Wedding Ring Pendulum
As long as you're not hanging your hat on the results, this can be a fun one to play at home with your partner or at an early baby shower!
Take your wedding ring and place it on a string. Then, holding onto the string, drop the ring so that it hovers over the bump and watch the way that it moves. The idea is that if it swings in a circle, it's a girl; if it swings back and forth, it's a boy.
The Placement and Shape of the Bump
You may know about this one already because chances are, a friend, relative, or coworker has already told you all about it! People love to examine the placement and shape of a baby bump to tell Mom what to expect.
The idea is that if your bump is situated higher on your body, you're having a girl. If it's lower, you're having a boy.
What if your bump is right in the middle? Don't worry, there's an old wives' tale for that one, too!
Rather than looking at placement, people may look at the shape. The story goes that a round, ball-like bump indicates that you're carrying a boy, while a wider-set bump reveals that you're carrying a girl.
Find Out the Gender with Flair
Are you looking for baby gender tests that provide both accuracy and a fantastic presentation? You're in luck!
At Sneak-a-Peek Baby, we offer photography and video packages for Las Vegas couples who are ready to get an in-depth look at their baby. Visit our scheduling page to find out more and set your own appointment!