There are many tests and methods to find out your baby's gender. While the medical tests performed to determine gender are more conclusive, others tend to be old wives' tales or are for entertainment purposes and their accuracy can be a bit unpredictable.
Ultrasound
Ultrasound is typically how most parents find out the gender of their baby. It is about 95 to 100% accurate. The best time to visualize gender with ultrasound is at your anatomy scan which is performed at 18 to 20 weeks gestational age. First, your baby needs to be in a good position in order to see the gender. If the baby is cooperative, a boy can be determined visualizing the scrotum and penis and a girl is identified by three bright lines which is the labia.
NIPT (Noninvasive Prenatal Testing)
NIPT testing is a simple blood test that screens for chromosomal abnormalities such as Down Syndrome. The NIPT test can also determine gender of the baby with 99% accuracy. It is quickly becoming a more popular method of finding out the gender and can be done as early as 10 weeks gestational age. This test poses no risk to you or your baby.
Amniocentesis and Chorionic Villus Sampling
An amniocentesis and chorionic villus sampling are invasive procedures performed to determine if your baby has chromosomal abnormalities. Both procedures can also determine gender with nearly 100% accuracy. Amniocentesis is performed at 15 weeks or later. A needle is inserted through your abdomen and a sample of amniotic fluid is taken to be tested. Chorionic villus sampling is performed at around 10 to 13 weeks gestational age. A needle is inserted vaginally or abdominally to take a sample of the chorion villi to be tested. Both procedures may cause potential risks to the pregnancy.
Wedding Ring Gender Test
You may want to try the wedding ring test for gender. A wedding ring (or any ring) is tied to the end of a string. The pregnant mom lies on her back and the ring is dangled over her belly. It will start to move on its own. If the ring moves in a circular motion, that indicates you're having a girl. If it swings back and forth, that indicates a boy. There is no scientific proof on the accuracy of this test but is usually done for fun.
Pencil Gender Test
The pencil test for gender is another test that is fun to participate in but there is no scientific proof of its accuracy. You will need to thread a needle. The needle is then inserted in the end of the eraser. Rest your arm on a hard surface, palm up. Hold the end of the thread and rest the tip of the pencil on your wrist. Gently lift up the pencil and observe the way it moves. If the pencil moves in the same direction as the length of your forearm, it's a boy. If the pencil moves across your wrist, it's a girl.
Drano Gender Test
If you decide to try the Drano test to determine gender, you should wear protective gear including a mask, safety goggles and gloves since you will be handling a toxic chemical. Place a couple tablespoons of crystal Drano in a glass jar and pour a couple tablespoons of your urine over the Drano. The color changes are what determine gender. Typically, if the color is brown, black, green or blue it's a boy. If the color is red, yellow or no color change, you're having a girl. While it may be an interesting experiment, due to the harmful nature of the Drano product, you may want to avoid using this test to determine gender.
Belly Test for Gender
The theory behind the belly test is the way that you are carrying the baby will determine the gender. If you are carrying low, and narrow with most of your weight to the front, you are having a boy. If you are carrying high and wide with more weight in your hips and buttocks, you are having a girl. However, since moms and babies come in all shapes and sizes, this test may not be very accurate.
Chinese Calendar for Gender Prediction
The Chinese calendar works by cross referencing how old the mom is and what month conception took place. The chart itself will show if you are having a boy or girl. There is some conflicting results on the accuracy of this test. It is said that if this test is performed correctly, it has a 90% accurately rate. Others claim it typically falls in the 50th percentile for accuracy.
Morning Sickness and Predicting Gender
The old wives' tale is that if you have extreme morning sickness, you're having a girl. No morning sickness means you're having a boy. While there are some studies that lean toward this being true, it has been found that this is not a very reliable way of determining gender.
Quiz to Determine Baby's Gender
There is also a quiz to determine baby's gender that you may want to try. It is a fun quiz based on old wive's tales and may even provide some interesting results.
Test Your Guesses
Try a few of the fun tests and record your answers. Then, when the time comes for medical-based tests, you'll be able to see whether the fun DIY tests were correct. No matter what, you have a 50% chance of guessing correctly!
