How Soon Can You Find Out the Gender of Your Baby?

Many parents want to know how soon they can find out the gender of their baby when they discover that they are expecting. There are many different tests that can be performed in order to discern the gender of a baby. These tests are performed at different stages of the pregnancy and depend on different variables.

CVS

Chorionic villus sampling (CVS) is a test that is performed to find chromosomal abnormalities, but can also tell the sex of a baby. This may be performed between 10 and 12 weeks.

Amniocentesis

An amniocentesis checks for abnormalities in the fetus, using a long needle that gathers amniotic fluid, and may be performed around 16 weeks.

Level Three Ultrasound

A level three ultrasound is only performed when it seems complications may be present in the fetus, but can also show gender as early as 12 to 14 weeks.

Level One Ultrasound

A level one ultrasound is performed on most pregnant women between 18 and 20 weeks. This is the most common time to find out the gender of a baby.

Heart Rate

The heart rate of a fetus can be heard as early as eight to 10 weeks. It is believed that a higher heart rate indicates a boy, but this method is not accurate and should not be taken as truth.

Time Frame

The gender of a baby may be known out as early as 10 weeks but may not be discovered until the regularly scheduled ultrasound and even then, the position of the baby will determine whether the genitals can be seen or not.

Resources

• Baby Zone for more information