You don’t have to wait nine months to find out whether you will have a baby boy or girl. Several tests exist that will tell you the sex of your baby while it is still in your womb so that you can choose a name ahead of time and start decorating the nursery in the right colors. Keep in mind, though, that these tests can be risky, and you may wish them to only be done if you have concerns about the baby’s health.
You don’t have to wait nine months to find out whether you will have a baby boy or girl. Several tests exist that will tell you the sex of your baby while it is still in your womb so that you can choose a name ahead of time and start decorating the nursery in the right colors. Keep in mind, though, that these tests can be risky, and you may wish them to only be done if you have concerns about the baby’s health.
Ultrasound
Most women get an ultrasound around the 20th week of their pregnancy. The purpose of the ultrasound is to make sure things are going well with the pregnancy, for example, that the fetus is developing properly and the placenta is attached properly. An ultrasound will also let you know if you are carrying twins or other multiples and the age of the fetus, according to WebMD. Finding out the baby’s sex at this point is simply a bonus and is not foolproof, as the technician can misread the ultrasound picture or the fetus could be in an odd position. Make sure to ask the technician to tell you the sex of the baby during your first ultrasound. She will not tell you unless you ask, since some parents choose to keep the baby’s sex a surprise.
Amniocentesis
In the uterus, the fetus is surrounded by a liquid known as amniotic fluid. The fluid consists of alpha-fetoprotein, which is made in a fetus’ liver, as well as fetal cells. During an amniocentesis, a doctor will insert a long needle into the uterus and remove a small amount of amniotic fluid. A lab then tests the fluid to determine if the fetus has any certain birth defects, such as spina bifida or certain genetic diseases such as Down syndrome or cystic fibrosis. While an amniocentesis can determine the baby’s sex more accurately than an ultrasound or any other method, according to WebMD, it is a risky procedure and should only be done if there is a risk for birth defects or genetic disease. Women who have had another child with a birth defect or who are over 35 years old generally may receive the test. If you opt for an amniocentesis, you’ll receive it sometime between the 15th and 20th weeks.
Chorionic Villus Sampling
Chorionic villus sampling is a test run in the early stages of pregnancy, around weeks 10 to 12. During the test, chorionic villi, pieces of the placenta that contain the fetus’ genes, are withdrawn from uterus either through the vagina or through the abdomen. Like an amniocentesis, chorionic villus sampling is done to detect any genetic conditions such as Down syndrome or Tay-Sachs disease, according to the Mayo Clinic. Women who had abnormal prenatal screenings, who are over 35 or those who had another child with a genetic disorder are good candidates for the test, although it does carry some risks, including bleeding and miscarriage, especially if the test is performed too soon.
Photo Credit
- man and woman symbols image by garloon from Fotolia.com
