And what mom or dad isn’t curious to know their baby’s sex? For the eager ones out there, I have some tips on how to find out even before the fourth month or the 16th week. By the way, do you know what is the ideal gestational age for the ultrasound to show your baby’s sex? Join us as we explore the world of discovery through various routes, both medical and folkloric, all in one post!
This phase of discovery is full of anticipation, but it’s an absolute delight. During this period, possible names are also being chosen, even before you’re sure whether it’s a boy or a girl. To make the moment even more special, check out the suggestions and tips in our post about baby names, along with their origins and meanings.
Now let’s get to discovering the sex. There are several ways, and I think it’s important to start with the most scientific ones, such as tests and checking the fetal genital tubercle1. Medicine has advanced so much that you can now take a test to know your baby’s sex without even leaving home. Of course, it’s not an exact science with a guaranteed answer, but it helps a lot to ease your curiosity.
Laboratory test method: Fetal sex determination is a safe test that provides about 97% accuracy in finding out your expected baby’s sex. The method analyzes the mother’s blood2; if it’s a boy, a male chromosome is identified in the blood sample.
If the Y chromosome isn’t present, there’s a high chance it’s a girl. This is the most accurate method, but mistakes can still happen, so it’s recommended to do it starting from the 8th week of pregnancy. Fetal sex determination costs between R$200 and R$400, depending on the region and laboratory. Investing in this exam might be worthwhile for couples who can afford it and are very anxious to know the baby’s sex.
IMPORTANT: No method is 100% reliable, not even ultrasound. So, before you go on a shopping spree, wait for a reliable confirmation of your baby’s sex.
Intelligender Method
The principle behind Intelligender is similar to that of a pharmacy test, but a bit more complex. It also detects the Y chromosome, but it uses the pregnant woman’s urine to determine the baby’s sex. If the urine turns green, your baby is most likely a boy. If the urine turns orange, then the baby is probably female. This test is mainly good for satisfying curiosity, since it often gives wrong results, especially when the baby is male.
That’s because the Y chromosome might not be present in that particular urine sample, which causes this error. The advantage of this test, however, is that it’s practical—you can do it at home like a regular pregnancy test. The downside is that the price is similar to fetal sex determination, at least in Brazil. Intelligender costs around R$200 in Brazil and about US$30 abroad. The test is worth it if you can get it from outside the country or buy it from websites like Amazon, for example. *Update* We no longer have Intelligender available, not even abroad.
Fetal Genital Tubercle Method
This method involves analyzing the scan taken after the nuchal translucency ultrasound. With increasingly modern and advanced ultrasound equipment, the images are clearer, and with a bit of attention you can interpret the fetal genital tubercle and try to guess the baby’s sex. As you can see in this post, the images show that to determine the sex, just check the angle of the genital tubercle.
If it is at a 30° angle, it’s likely to be a boy. If it’s straight in line with the spine, the chance it’s a girl increases. For this method to be interpreted, the baby’s genitals need to be side-on or facing the ultrasound at the time of the scan. At how many weeks can you determine your baby’s sex this way? Some trained eyes or professionals can identify the sex as early as the 12th week, if the ultrasound scan is done from beneath and with the baby sitting in the womb.
When the scans capture the baby from the back, it’s much harder to determine the sex using this method. A good trick if you want to take a guess at the 12th week of pregnancy or later is to eat a piece of chocolate about 20 minutes before the scan. With the chocolate, the baby will be active enough to open their legs and show their genitals to the doctor.
Heartbeat Method
A baby’s heart beats faster than an adult’s. Little hearts beat more rapidly to supply oxygen to their developing bodies. Legend has it that if the heart rate is above 150 beats per minute (measured by ultrasound) the baby is a girl, and if it’s lower, a boy.
There is also the Ramzi method, but it’s much less effective than evaluating the fetal tubercle. The most recommended thing is to wait for the best moment to take a fetal sex determination test or an ultrasound that allows the baby’s genitals to be seen.
Popular Methods for Finding Out Your Baby’s Sex
Games to find out the baby’s sex are real traditions in more superstitious families3. These customs have been passed down since ancient times and still remain today. Let’s take a look at a few?
Fork and Spoon Game
Do you know the fork and spoon game? Here’s how it works: without the mother seeing, place a fork under one cushion and a spoon under another. The mom-to-be chooses where to sit, and if there’s a spoon underneath, it’s a girl; if there’s a fork, it’s a boy!
Needle or Ring Game
Similar to other popular beliefs for finding out your baby’s sex, there’s the needle or ring game. Here’s how it works: hang a needle or ring from a strand of hair or thread and dangle it over the palm or belly of the pregnant woman. If it swings in circles, it’s a girl; if it moves back and forth, it’s a boy.
Sweet or Savory Cravings
Another playful way to guess the baby’s sex is the mother’s cravings for sweet or salty foods. If mom is craving more sweets, the tendency is it’s a girl. Now, if she’s craving more savory things, there’s a good chance it’s a boy.
Mother’s Age + Month of Conception
A cool little math trick to try to guess your baby’s sex is to add the numbers: the mother’s age + the month of conception, until you reach a single digit. If it’s an odd number, the odds are you’re having a boy; if it’s even, a girl.
Of course, most of these ways of guessing your baby’s sex before the 16th week are prone to many errors, but the fun is in the game. How about gathering your family and friends for a pool? The loser donates a pack of diapers to mom!
Reader Questions:
Can the urine sex test give a false result?
Yes, any test can be wrong, and in this specific case, there’s a higher margin of error for male babies.
Can the fetal genital tubercle method give a false result?
Yes, everything depends on the experience of the professional and the clarity of the ultrasound, although with the advancement of technology, ultrasound tests are becoming better and better.
Check out also: Fetal Genital Tubercle – Unveiling the Baby’s Sex
