What is the Earliest I Can Find Out the Sex of a Baby?
The earliest you can determine the gender of a fetus is at about 14 weeks gestation, if you undergo amniocentesis, and 16 weeks through ultrasound. Most doctors recommend that you have an ultrasound between 18 and 20 weeks if you would like to know whether your baby is a boy or a girl.
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Genital Development
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Although chromosomes determine gender at conception, the genitals of baby boy and a baby girl look identical until about the eighth week of your pregnancy. By week 12 they appear different, but the differences might not be visible yet on an ultrasound.
Ultrasound
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If you want to find out the gender of your baby, most doctors will recommend an ultrasound at about 20 weeks. It's possible to determine gender through ultrasound as early as 16 weeks, but the accuracy relies on your baby's position and your ultrasound technician's skill. It is recommended that you wait until at least 18 weeks.
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Amniocentesis
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Amniocentesis is used to test for chromosomal abnormalities. Women who are over 35, have a family history of abnormality or have had a child with a chromosomal disorder are recommended for amniocentesis. Because it tests the chromosomes, it also can determine gender. Amniocentesis can be performed as early as 14 weeks.
Warning
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A doctor performs an amniocentesis by removing a small amount of fluid from the amniotic sack with a needle. The procedure carries a small risk of infection and a 0.5 percent risk of miscarriage. Because of this risk, amniocentesis is not recommended for women who do not fall within the risk category for having a baby with a chromosomal abnormality. It is not performed to test the baby's gender alone. If you have considered the risks and benefits of this procedure and choose to undergo amniocentesis, you can find out the gender of your baby.
Considerations
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Even at 20 weeks, the accuracy of ultrasound depends on factors such as your baby's position and movements and your ultrasound technician's ability to read the results. Although ultrasounds have improved in their ability to determine gender, the tests are not 100 percent accurate.
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