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How to know if a boy or girl?

Published in Baby Sex Determination 4 mins read

Determining if you're having a boy or a girl can be an exciting part of pregnancy, and there are several ways to find out, ranging from highly accurate medical procedures to traditional, less reliable methods.

The most accurate ways to know if you're expecting a boy or a girl involve medical testing performed during pregnancy. These methods analyze genetic material or visualize the baby's anatomy to provide a definitive answer.

Reliable Medical Methods

Medical methods offer high accuracy in determining the baby's sex, primarily by analyzing chromosomes or observing physical characteristics.

1. Prenatal Genetic Testing

These tests are primarily used to screen for chromosomal abnormalities but can also reveal the baby's sex with high accuracy.

  • Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing (NIPT):

    • When: Usually performed after 10 weeks of pregnancy.
    • How: A simple blood test from the mother, which screens for fragments of the baby's DNA circulating in the mother's blood. This DNA can reveal the presence of Y chromosomes (indicating a boy) or only X chromosomes (indicating a girl).
    • Accuracy: Highly accurate, often over 99%. Learn more about NIPT.
  • Amniocentesis:

    • When: Typically performed between 15 and 20 weeks of pregnancy.
    • How: A small sample of amniotic fluid (which contains fetal cells) is drawn from the uterus using a thin needle. The cells are then analyzed for chromosomal abnormalities, including sex chromosomes.
    • Accuracy: Nearly 100% accurate for sex determination. This is usually performed for medical reasons beyond sex determination due to its slightly invasive nature.
  • Chorionic Villus Sampling (CVS):

    • When: Generally performed between 10 and 13 weeks of pregnancy.
    • How: A small sample of tissue from the placenta (chorionic villi) is taken, either through the cervix or the abdominal wall. Similar to amniocentesis, the cells are analyzed for genetic conditions and sex chromosomes.
    • Accuracy: Nearly 100% accurate. Like amniocentesis, CVS is usually done for genetic testing, not solely for sex determination.

2. Ultrasound Scan

An ultrasound is a common prenatal test that can often determine the baby's sex by visualizing their external genitalia.

  • When: Typically during the second trimester anatomy scan, around 18 to 22 weeks of pregnancy.
  • How: A sonographer uses sound waves to create images of the baby inside the womb. During this scan, they will look for specific anatomical markers:
    • For a boy: The presence of a penis and scrotum.
    • For a girl: The absence of a penis and the presence of three lines (often referred to as the "three lines sign") indicating the labia.
  • Accuracy: While generally very accurate (over 95%) when performed by an experienced sonographer, accuracy can depend on the baby's position, gestational age, and the clarity of the image.

Fun but Unreliable Methods

Many traditional beliefs and home-based "tests" exist for predicting a baby's sex. While these can be fun ways to guess, they are not scientifically reliable and should be considered for entertainment only.

  • Chinese Gender Predictor Chart: This chart uses the mother's lunar age at conception and the lunar month of conception to predict the baby's sex. Its predictions are not supported by scientific evidence.
  • Ring Test: Involves dangling a ring on a string over a pregnant belly. The direction of its swing (circular for a girl, back and forth for a boy) is believed to predict sex.
  • Morning Sickness Severity: Some old wives' tales suggest that severe morning sickness indicates a girl due to higher hormone levels.
  • Cravings: Craving salty foods is sometimes linked to a boy, while craving sweets is linked to a girl.
  • Baby's Heart Rate: A consistently high heart rate (above 140 bpm) is often thought to indicate a girl, while a lower rate suggests a boy.
  • Belly Shape: Carrying "high" is sometimes associated with a girl, while carrying "low" is associated with a boy.

These methods are purely anecdotal and have no basis in medical fact.

Comparing Methods

Here’s a quick overview of the accuracy and purpose of different methods:

Method Accuracy (Approx.) Primary Purpose
NIPT (Blood Test) >99% Chromosomal screening, sex optional
Amniocentesis / CVS ~100% Diagnostic genetic testing
Second Trimester Ultrasound 95-99% Fetal anatomy check, sex optional
Chinese Gender Predictor Chart 50% Entertainment, traditional belief
Ring Test / Other Home Guesses 50% Entertainment, folklore

For definitive information, medical methods are by far the most accurate and recommended approach.