When can you find out the sex of your baby?

These methods aren’t backed by science, but we have to admit that trying to work out the sex of your baby can be a fun part of the pregnancy journey. A slightly more accurate way to tell the sex of the baby is if you have a lot of nausea during early pregnancy. Multiple studies suggest that this means there’s a higher likelihood it’s a girl [2, 3]. On the other hand, you might be more likely to have a boy if you have more frequent cravings throughout your pregnancy, although there has been debate about this in the scientific community. [4, 5].

But you’ll get the most accurate prediction of the sex of your baby by running clinical tests with your healthcare provider. These tests range from non-invasive to very invasive with different risk levels, and they can be performed as early as seven weeks into the pregnancy through to the end. Just remember that while these clinical tests are highly accurate, no result can be certain every time.

In this article, we’ll go through each of these tests and how soon they can be done to answer the question so many excited parents have: “when can you find out the sex of a baby?” So, if you’re eager to know when you can start planning that gender reveal party, read on to find out how many weeks it takes to know the sex of your baby.

When and how to find out your baby's sex?

Early pregnancy: in vitro fertilization (IVF) with sex selection

IVF accounts for about 1.9% of all newborns in the United States, helping individuals and families of all types conceive by fertilizing an egg cell with a sperm cell in a laboratory rather than through intercourse [6].

Depending on the country, the medical provider, and the parents’ medical history, IVF may also include an optional service called “preimplantation genetic testing” (PGT). This is when healthcare providers test the fertilized cells for markers of certain diseases and characteristics (including sex) before transferring it to the uterus to continue the pregnancy [6,7]. So, if you’re able to opt for PGT with IVF, it’s possible to know the sex of the embryos and choose between a boy or a girl before the pregnancy begins.

In the United States, the popularity of PGT rapidly increased from 4.5% of all IVF procedures in 2011 to nearly half of them (44.9%) in 2018 [7]. There is some controversy about PGT in the medical community though, and regulations on this service differ throughout the world [8]. In some countries, sex selection during IVF is only allowed for family balancing or avoiding sex-linked genetic disorders.

This all may seem overwhelming if you’re just starting your fertility journey, but remember that speaking with your healthcare professional can help you get more information and clarity on the best path forward for you. If you’re uncomfortable with this practice or unsure about the guidelines that affect you, there are plenty of other ways to find out the sex of the baby during pregnancy. Let’s go through a few of those together below.

7+ weeks: non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT)

Otherwise, the earliest you can find out the baby’s gender is about seven weeks into the pregnancy by using NIPT with your healthcare provider. NIPT involves taking a blood sample from the mother instead of the baby and testing the fetal DNA that was shared through the placenta, which can reveal the sex of the baby among other things [9].

For example, this type of testing can be done if it’s known that one or both of the parents is a carrier of a disease linked to sex, as knowing the baby’s sex early in the pregnancy can help determine if the baby could be affected as well. NIPT is a highly accurate indicator of sex (being right 99% of the time), and it can sometimes help avoid more invasive testing later in the pregnancy [10].

However, there are some limitations to consider with NIPT:

• Although NIPT is still possible when you have two or more fetuses in the womb, some clinics don’t offer NIPT if you’re having more than one baby.
• Some healthcare providers will only offer NIPT if there is a risk for sex-specific disease, and will not perform the test if you only want to know the sex for social reasons.
• NIPT is not publicly funded nor available in all countries. It may also need to be done later in the pregnancy depending on your country’s regulations. If you’re interested in this type of testing, check with your healthcare provider to see if it’s available for you [10].

10 to 13 weeks: chorionic villus sampling (CVS)

CVS is an invasive but diagnostic test where your healthcare provider takes a sample of part of the placenta that has the same genetic material as the baby. That sample is tested for certain high-risk genetic conditions, and it can also reveal the biological sex of the baby [11].

This test is typically done between 10 to 12 weeks into the pregnancy, but it isn’t recommended after the first trimester due to the position of the placenta. There are also slight risks of cramping, bleeding, and miscarriage associated with this test [11]. Due to this invasive nature and the risks associated with CVS, it’s not done routinely on every pregnancy. It’s usually only prescribed by a healthcare provider when there is a higher risk of chromosomal or genetic conditions.

15 to 20 weeks: amniocentesis

Amniocentesis testing is similar to CVS — it’s usually performed to test for specific genetic conditions. It’s also diagnostic and quite invasive. The difference is that a sample of amniotic fluid is taken instead of the placenta. Amniotic fluid is what surrounds the baby in the sac inside of your uterus. When your “water breaks,” this is when the sac breaks and amniotic fluid leaks [11].

You’ll have to wait until at least 15 weeks into the pregnancy to get an amniocentesis procedure, but it can be done at any point thereafter. It can take several weeks to receive test results after the procedure. Some results may come more quickly (about two days is the fastest), but be prepared for a wait [12].

If you decide to get this test, keep in mind that the risk of miscarriage is lower with amniocentesis than CVS, but some slight bleeding and leakage of amniotic fluid may occur after the test is done. Both of these symptoms usually subside on their own [11,12]. 

18 to 22 weeks: ultrasound

One of the least invasive reliable methods of finding out the biological sex of your baby is the standard ultrasound exam around the 20 week mark. Typically done between weeks 18 to 22 (or at any point during the second or third trimester), this scan uses sound waves to create a picture of the baby. Your healthcare provider examines that picture to make sure the baby’s limbs and organs are developing as they need to [13]. This includes the sex organs that determine if it’s a boy or a girl].

As long as the fetus is in a good viewing position, your healthcare provider should be able to tell you the gender of your baby with near 100% accuracy during this scan. Just note that if you get an ultrasound during the first trimester (11-14 weeks of pregnancy), the success rate drops to about 75% [14].

There are no known negative side effects of this test for the mother or baby either. However, this is the most subjective test on this list, meaning that it relies on the healthcare provider’s training and what they see on the scan. It also may be more difficult with twins or more than three fetuses in the womb, as they might hide each other and block the view [14].

Do at-home gender predictor test kits work?

As we mentioned earlier, there are many types of at-home gender prediction methods, from so-called “old wive’s tales” like the ring test to urine sample kits. While there is no independent scientific backing to any of these methods, they’re usually non-invasive, relatively harmless, and a fun way to get excited about the pregnancy. 

As long as you understand that testing with your healthcare provider will give you the most accurate prediction for planning purposes, go ahead and hover that ring over your belly if you want to! Just remember that there is no medical merit to any of these gender predictor tests [1].

Plan and follow your pregnancy with Natural Cycles

Whether you choose to find out the sex of your baby is up to you and your partner—there is no right or wrong decision. But if you’re still in the planning stage or early in your pregnancy, knowing if you’re having a boy or a girl can be an empowering and exciting experience. 

However, we know that it can also be overwhelming to try to make the best decision for your family, knowing the risks associated with some of the methods listed above. We’ve done our best to provide high-level summaries of the most common ways to find out the sex of your baby, but nothing replaces a personalized consultation with your healthcare provider. They can always provide the most tailored guidance.

No matter which method you choose to help predict the sex of your baby, Natural Cycles resources can support you along the way. Switch from NC° Plan Pregnancy to NC° Follow Pregnancy to keep track of your symptoms right in the app. See if Natural Cycles is right for you.