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Q&A: How Soon Can You Find Out Baby's Sex?
How soon can I find out my baby's sex? I know you can sometimes tell by using ultrasound, but are there any other reliable methods that are used?
AnswerThis is one of the most common questions I receive from parents-to-be. Most patients undergo an ultrasound at around 18-20 weeks (about four and a half to five months). Normally, at this stage of pregnancy we can determine the baby's sex, but not always. The position of the baby during the ultrasound is the most important aspect in our ability to tell the baby's sex, and there's no way to influence that. For obvious reasons, it's usually easier to see if the baby is a boy.
One reliable method is using amniocentesis to check the baby's chromosomes. This test is usually performed on a mother who is 35 years or older, for the purpose of identifying possible genetic problems. It involves inserting a needle into the uterus to remove a small amount of amniotic fluid. We usually do this test at around 16 weeks, so in this instance, the mother can find out the baby's sex a little sooner. This test isn't without risk, however, and isn't generally performed simply to determine the baby's sex.
Another test that can look at the baby's chromosomes is called CVS (chorionic villus sampling), which is performed during the first trimester to look for problems with the baby's chromosomes. However, this test is infrequently used.
I'm often asked if you can tell the baby's sex by the heart rate -- on the myth that one sex is faster than another -- but that is just an old wives' tale. Some people claim they can tell the baby's sex by the way you're carrying, but, again, there is no scientific proof that this is true. Still others use a "pendulum test" in which an object is suspended over the pregnant belly and the baby's sex is predicted depending on which way the pendulum swings. Again, there is no documented proof that this test works.
Don't get frustrated if the doctor can't tell what the baby's sex is on ultrasound. You'll know soon enough. In the meantime, just buy green or yellow clothes and accessories!
The information on this Web site is designed for educational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for informed medical advice or care. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat any health problems or illnesses without consulting your pediatrician or family doctor. Please consult a doctor with any questions or concerns you might have regarding your or your child's condition.
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its not impossible in an ultrasound u can see as soon as 12 or 13 weeks depends how they are positioned and i got my ultrasound and its a boy and im 13 weeks but they said just to make sure theyll tell me on valentines day :)
1/4/2012 11:14:54 AM Report Abusemy u/s is due next week, @ which i will be nineteen weeks preg, i praying and hoping for a boy.
11/28/2011 12:06:11 PM Report AbuseIt is impossible to find out before 18-20 weeks unless you have an ultrasound, amniocentesis or CVS. Don't waste time bying some kit in the pharmacy. We are expecting our fist child. I am 12.5 weeks pregnant and we a hoping for a girl. My next ultrasound will be at 20 weeks.
7/21/2011 08:44:52 AM Report AbuseI very seriously doubt that you found out what you were having at 5 and 10 weeks. That's just unreal.
6/26/2011 11:49:40 PM Report AbuseI am in my 17th week and I'm hoping for a boy but no luck on knowing Gender yet.. But he/she looks like a little teddy bear (:
11/2/2010 11:15:08 AM Report AbuseI am 27 years old and after one miscarriage and 5 years of semi- trying, we are having a baby. I am 17 weeks and next week my doctor told me we would do an ultrasound to see if we can determine the baby's sex. I am so excited. We both want a girl, but a healthy baby is the most important thing. Girl or boy we are excited!
10/9/2010 05:35:35 PM Report AbuseI have an ultra sound in 3 days and I will be 19weeks and this is my first baby and We want too find out the sex of the baby but have heard that there are allot of places that will not tell you the sex of the baby. Can anyone tell me if this is true or if there are places that actually will not tell you or charge you too find out?
8/28/2010 06:58:06 PM Report AbuseI am 19 weeks today and will find out in 2 more weeks the baby's sex. It doesn't matter. I pray for a healthy baby. We tried for 5 years and I thank God everyday to be carrying this precious miracle!
7/17/2010 04:29:25 PM Report AbuseI am 18 wks 1 day today and I find out later this afternoon what I'm having! Its my third one girl one boy, I dont care what I have but my whole family kids finance included want a girl! But I am almost 100% positive we are having a little boy!
6/9/2010 11:09:07 AM Report Abusei was wondering how some of you already know what you are having i am 14 weeks and 3 days pregnant and do not know...
6/4/2010 11:23:27 PM Report AbuseYou can buy a test at Walgreens or on line called Intelligender its like $35 and it tells you if its a boy or girl. Three of us have used it and weeks later our ultrasounds cofirmed the test was right! Technology is so freakin' cool :)
5/9/2010 07:00:06 PM Report AbuseI am 13 weeks and 4 days, and we have already found out the sex of our little baby BOY =)
4/29/2010 04:20:51 PM Report AbuseI'm 5 weeks pregnant found out 4/13 I'm having a girl me and my husband are super excited!!!!
4/19/2010 07:49:02 AM Report AbuseI am preg with my sec child. My first preg was high risk ending with a csection at 32 weeks with boy. This preg is going well, low blood pressure no edema. I am so excited I may be able to find out what I am having on Friday april 16th at my u/s appt. I am hoping for a girl. So far I have all the symptoms but we'll see.
4/14/2010 06:48:59 PM Report AbuseMy husband and I just found out we are having a baby! We are so excited. I took two pregnancy tests last week and they both said negative. I went to the ER yesterday for a hip problem - befor they could do and x-ray they did a pregnancy test. I'm 5 weeks and due in December!
4/7/2010 10:58:29 AM Report Abusetoday I will find out if I'm having a girl or a boy. I'm very excited
3/15/2010 11:01:40 AM Report AbuseI just turned 18 on the 25th of January and then a couple of weeks after I found out I was pregnant with my first baby. I found out at 4 weeks and 6 days, and now I am almost 10 weeks in 3 days! Im super excited to hit the 2nd trimester mark and find out the sex of my baby. Everyone thinks Im going to have a girl, but my boyfriend insists that its going to be a boy. Which ever one works for me as long as the baby its self and I are healthy. !!!
3/12/2010 08:49:07 AM Report Abusethis is so strange. i took a home pregnacy test 2 weeks ago test was negative. went to the doc on 3/8/10. test was positive wow..well i have 2 boys already ages 7 and 8...i really hope i have a girl this time...im excited!!
3/9/2010 02:57:23 PM Report AbuseI'm pregnant with my 2cd and no complications so I have to wait the 20 weeks to find out what I'm having. With my first I had complications and had a ultrasound at 14 weeks and they were able to tell me it was a boy, they were right. Boys are easier to tell.
2/26/2010 12:20:49 PM Report Abusewhile im prego now in ifollow up to my appointments next week to
1/6/2010 03:37:12 PM Report AbuseI just took a preganacy test and it came back positive so I have afollow up with my doctor next week.....very excited....
11/16/2009 06:16:18 PM Report Abuse