When Do You Find out Gender of Baby? Answer Inside!

When do you find out the gender of a baby?  How do you know when it’s a good time to find out the gender of the baby?  Many pregnant women cannot wait to find out the gender of their baby. An ultrasound is one of the most accurate ways to find out the gender of your baby.  For most pregnant women, the wait to learn the sex of their baby is about 16 weeks. Here are some ways to find out when you can reveal the gender of the baby.

When Do You Find Out the Gender of the Baby?

For most parents, the anticipation of finding out the sex of their baby seems to take too long and go by slower than the whole pregnancy.  However, there are some reasons as to why there’s a wait. For one, most babies genitals have not formed until they are around 6 weeks. Still, both genitals look the same up until about 14 weeks, then there are some differences but not too distinct.  By 18 weeks, an ultrasound technician can see the sex if the baby is in the right position. So, when you find out the gender of the baby usually depends on when the technician can identify the differences clearly.

Insurance

When you find out the gender of the baby depends on many factors.  Most healthcare providers have policies that will not pay for an ultrasound until the mother is 20 weeks pregnant, unless the doctor thinks the mom or baby’s health is threatened.  Some healthcare insurers only cover a gender viewing when 20 weeks comes and that is to make sure the vital organs and growth are on track as well.  If you want to find out the gender of the baby before 20 weeks, there may be an ultrasound center that can take a look but you’ll have to pay anywhere from $40-100.  There are other tests that you may have done with your doctor that may be able to show your baby’s gender.

Testing

If you want to find out the gender of the baby, the noninvasive prenatal testing or NIPT,  may be a way to find out the gender of the baby. This is a blood test that helps detect down syndrome and other chromosomal conditions.  This test can take place at 10 weeks or later. This may be one way to find out the gender of the baby. It may not be as accurate as you’d like but it could be helpful.

Amniocentesis

Another test your doctor may require you to take is a prenatal test that checks for genetic problems, this is called amniocentesis.  This occurs around 16 weeks into pregnancy. So, when you find out the gender of the baby, it may be around 16 weeks, if given the amnio test.  This test is usually given to women who are high risk or older than 34. This test is very invasive and only given if your doctor feels it is necessary.

Chorionic Villus Sampling

Technically, finding out the gender of your baby could be as early as 10 weeks, if your doctor wants you to take the CVS.  Chorionic villus sampling is usually performed at 10 to 12 weeks after the last period. This testing is to get an early answer in regards to any abnormalities your baby may have.  If the mother is 35 or over, has history of genetic abnormalities, has another child that has abnormalities or holds problems in the family, then this test is a good choice. This test, however, is more invasive than the amnio and can cause miscarriages.  This is one way to find out the gender of the baby but is it worth the risk of a miscarriage?

Ultrasounds

Ultrasounds may be the most accurate way to find out the gender of the baby.  However, the wait is up to 20-25 weeks. When you find out the gender of the baby may be really important for you but patience may not be your strong suit.  Ultrasounds are done between 18-25 weeks of pregnancy. Ultrasounds are accurate but there are times when they are misinterpreted. Ultrasounds give you accuracy but if your little one isn’t cooperating, then you may not get a definite answer.  There are new technologies that are recently out that can identify the baby’s sex as early as 11 weeks. There are a few other ways to find out the gender of the baby as well.

Gender Predictor Tests

“When do you find out the gender of the baby,” is a great question and there are gender predictor tests on the market and online that say their “accurate” readings can tell you whether or not a girl or boy is arriving.  There are all of these “old wives” tales that you’re told by people in your life but are those accurate opinions? You be the judge. The gender predictor test online told me that I was having a girl when I was pregnant, I in fact, had a boy.  Those are not accurate and based completely on other people’s unscientific opinion.

The other baby prediction tests are online and can be bought on Amazon.  These tests guarantee accuracy and will determine your baby’s gender.  There are blood and urine tests that are available online but their accuracy is up in the air.

When you find out the gender of the baby is up to you and your doctors of course.  There may be technology to tell before 20 weeks but at the same time, is it too hard to wait that long?  Isn’t it taking 9 months to have the baby, anyway? You have to wait on that too and if you find out the gender and aren’t happy with it, what are you going to do?  Get mad? Patience is a virtue and waiting just a few weeks is not going to hurt you. You have over several more months to prepare for the baby’s big day. When you find out the gender of the baby is interesting but taking care of yourself and your baby are far more important.