When Can the Baby's Gender Be Known? Here's the Complete Explanation

When the baby's gender can be known (Image bibalex)

YOGYAKARTA - For couples who are waiting for the birth of a baby, one of the questions that often arises is when the baby's gender can be known. Knowing the baby's gender is indeed one of the moments that are very much anticipated.

In addition to being able to add happiness, knowing the baby's gender can also help parents prepare various things such as names, baby supplies, to gender reveal celebrations. However, when exactly can information about the baby's gender be known for sure?

When Can the Baby's Gender Be Known?

1. Initial Examination: Ultrasound Examination

One of the most common and first ways to find out the baby's gender is through an ultrasound (ultrasound) examination. This examination can provide a clear picture of the fetus' development and determine whether the baby is male or female.

However, when the baby's gender can be known through an ultrasound depends on the age of pregnancy. In general, the baby's gender can be seen quite clearly at the ultrasound examination at around 18 to 22 weeks of pregnancy. At this age, the baby's genital organs are quite developed and can be clearly seen in the ultrasound image. However, sometimes, the baby's position that is not possible or other factors, make it difficult for doctors to see the baby's gender at the first examination. Therefore, although the ultrasound examination can provide accurate results, sometimes it takes several follow-up examinations.

2. DNA Test: Knowing Gender Early

In addition to ultrasound examinations, blood tests can also be an alternative to knowing the baby's gender earlier. This test is done by taking a sample of the mother's blood to check for the presence of baby DNA fragments in the mother's blood. One popular test is the Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing (NIPT). This test is not only useful for detecting the possibility of chromosomal abnormalities, such as Down syndrome, but can also determine when the baby's gender can be known since the age of 9 weeks of pregnancy.

NIPT works by examining the DNA of the fetus circulating in the mother's blood. With this technology, the test results can provide very accurate information about the baby's gender. The advantage of this test is its ability to detect gender earlier than an ultrasound examination, although the cost of the NIPT test is relatively more expensive.

3. Amniocentesis and CVS Tests: Tests for Higher Accuracy

In addition to ultrasound and blood tests, there are two more invasive medical procedures that can also provide information about the baby's gender, namely amniocentesis and chorionic villus sampling (CVS). Both tests are generally done to check for genetic or chromosomal abnormalities in the fetus.

Amniosentesis is done by taking a sample of amniotic fluid that surrounds the baby in the womb to be examined in the laboratory. This test is usually done at 15 to 20 weeks of pregnancy. The results of amniocentesis are very accurate, so when the baby's gender can be known through this test is also quite clear. However, this procedure has a very small risk of miscarriage, so it is usually only done if there are certain medical indications or risks.

Chorionic Villus Sampling (CVS) is another procedure that can be done early, around the age of 10 to 13 weeks of pregnancy. This test involves taking a sample of placental tissue to be tested. Like amniocentesis, CVS can provide information about the baby's gender as well as chromosomal abnormalities.

Factors Affecting the Accuracy of Sex Determination

Although the above methods can provide answers about when the gender of the baby can be known, there are several factors that can affect the accuracy of the results. Here are some factors to consider:

1. Baby Position

The position of the baby who does not face the screen or is covered by the umbilical cord can make the results of the ultrasound examination less accurate.

2. Ultrasound Image Quality

The quality of the images produced by the ultrasound machine can also affect how clearly the baby's sex can be seen.

3. Mother's Health Condition

Some medical conditions in the mother can affect the accuracy of test results, especially in more invasive examinations such as amniocentesis.

4. Age of Pregnancy

The older the age of pregnancy, the clearer the baby's genital organs can be seen on an ultrasound examination. Therefore, an ultrasound examination is better done after the age of 18 weeks of pregnancy.

When the baby's gender can be known depends on the various methods used by parents and doctors. In general, an ultrasound examination can provide clear results around the age of 18 to 22 weeks of pregnancy, but blood tests such as NIPT can provide earlier information, even from the age of 9 weeks of pregnancy. If you want more accurate information, medical procedures such as amniocentesis or CVS can also be done.

Each method has its advantages and disadvantages, so choosing the right method needs to consider the factors of maternal and fetal health.

With the various options available, parents can now more easily find out the sex of their baby and prepare everything better. In addition, also recognize the Differences between Pregnant Male and Female Babies

So after knowing when the baby's gender can be known, check out other interesting news at VOI.ID, it's time to revolutionize the news!