Too Early to Know Babies Sex?

Updated on September 15, 2006
N.O. asks from Park Ridge, IL
13 answers

Hi Moms,

I'm a little over 12 weeks and was having a genetic screening that consists of an ultrasound yesterday. The technician made reference to the fact that she has been doing this a long time and could "pretty much" tell the sex of the baby and asked us if we were going to find out. We had planned on doing so anyway so we asked what she thought and she told us she's "pretty certain" it's a boy. I didn't think it was possible to tell this early? Has anyone else heard of this or experienced anything like this? An aquaintance did tell me she was having genetic screens done with her second and was told at 9 weeks she was having a girl. We'll be finding out the babies sex at our 20 week appt anyway, I was just caught off guard that this info was volunteered to us at such an early stage.

What can I do next?

  • Add yourAnswer own comment
  • Ask your own question Add Question
  • Join the Mamapedia community Mamapedia
  • as inappropriate
  • this with your friends

Featured Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.G.

answers from Chicago on

Gosh, I thought the only way they could tell before twenty weeks was through amniocentesis. Although, this is coming from the woman who tried to find out twice with both babies ans no one could tell.

More Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.S.

answers from Chicago on

If they can identify from the u/s that the gender is male, it's usually very accurate as it's much easier to tell the presence of genitalia than it is for them to confirm the absence of it. In the majority of cases when the gender is wrong from the u/s, it's when people are told they are having a girl and end up having a boy because of positioning of the baby in the womb, interference, or what not obscuring the genitals.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

T.

answers from Chicago on

Because I was "older", I was able to have a test done that was invasive to determine if there were any abnormalities with the baby and it was done before I was 12 weeks pregnant. My husband had 4 daughters from a previous marriage and had to know the sex of the baby (leftovers if its a girl, but nice dinner if it's a boy:)). The doctor called us the same day to tell us we were having a healthy boy...true he was!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

N.B.

answers from Chicago on

We found out the sex of our baby, a boy, when I was 12 weeks pregnant from an ultrasound done due to complications. I also think it really depends on the skill and experience of the individual performing the ultrasound as well. It's also been said in the past that if you are told you are having a boy-it usually turns out to be correct. It's the girls that are tricky! Good Luck!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

V.K.

answers from Chicago on

Yes, some can do this and I found out the sex of the baby at 10 wks and yes they can be wrong, but they weren't wrong mine was a boy and they went by my babies heart rate..... I was not only told by the tech., but the ER Dr., the Er nurse and other staff that it was definatly a boy and sure enough they were all right.......
V. K.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.L.

answers from Chicago on

I had an u/s done at 13 weeks and they told us it was a boy -- guess it depends no the position of the baby too. At 22 weeks the confirmed again it was a boy, so they were correct. They told us it wasn't 100% at 13 weeks, but it was pretty certain

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

C.R.

answers from Chicago on

I don't remember how far along I was, but at my ultrasound even my untrained eye could tell that it was a boy. There was no mistaking what was there.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.W.

answers from Chicago on

Hi,
I'm seeing a specialist at Hinsdale Hospital. Even he, being 99% accurate, wasn't able to tell until around 20 weeks. I would say, wait until then before you start telling people the sex of your baby.

~M.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

C.S.

answers from Chicago on

Good morning N.,
I had a small abruption just as I was starting my 13th week and found myself in the hospital getting an ultrasound done.
The tech there asked us if we wanted to know the sex, and she told us she was pretty certain we were having a boy. When I went to my next OB appt., I asked my doctor about this and he said you can start to tell as early as 12-13 weeks, but not to go crazy buying boy stuff, as it may have been only the umbilical she was seeing. However, he said it was definately possible to tell. I'm 27 weeks now, and have verified, we are indeed having a baby boy!!!
Congratulations.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

L.G.

answers from Chicago on

I've heard they can tell by about 13 weeks, so you aren't so far off. But it's more accurate when you have your 20 week u/s. Congratulations on your pregnancy!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

K.T.

answers from Chicago on

Congradulations on your pregnancy! I do wish to warn you of something that happened to us with one of our four children. We were told all along that we were having a girl and it came out a boy! Seems that his feet were covering his privates, sort of like praying, when they took the ultra sound. For four months we prepared for a girl. So, I would advise that at no matter what point they tell you, sometimes, they make a mistake. Just sometimes. Sincerely, K.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

P.K.

answers from Lexington on

The same exact thing happened during our genetic screening. We were game and told the tech to go ahead and tell us when she offered to give us her opinion. Of course, she cautioned us "not to quote" her on it. She turned out to be right - we had a girl as she had thought - but I am not so sure that they can always tell with 100% accuracy. A friend of mine in Canada was told she was having a boy and decided to keep it quiet with family and friends and not do any anticipatory shopping. It was a good thing she did b/c she had a baby girl!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

R.

answers from Chicago on

Genetic testing is 100% accurate and can be done very early on but involves taking DNA from the baby/ amniotic fluid so is invasive and done by CVS or amniocentesis. If you only had an ultrasound, that is less accurate but they may still be able to tell at this stage. I'd wait for them to confirm at your next u/s though.

Congratulations

For Updates and Special Promotions
Follow Us

Related Questions

Related Searches