Is it a boy or a girl and how can I be sure?
Most parents want to discover the answer to this question related to the accuracy of a gender blood test as soon as they can. Learning the gender of the baby is an extremely special moment for a pregnant couple. Once they know whether they are having a boy or a girl, they can decide on the baby’s name and begin to decorate their nursery!
Modern advances in obstetrics have allowed us to determine the gender of the baby using gender blood tests. Can these tests be trusted? How confident can we be in their results?
In this article, you’ll learn how these gender reveal tests work and how reliable they are.
The Science Behind Gender Blood Tests
Before gender blood tests, the most reliable methods for learning information about your baby’s genetic makeup in the first trimester were chorionic villus sampling (CVS) and amniocentesis.
These methods are both still used and highly accurate. However, both CVS and amniocentesis are invasive tests that carry a small chance of miscarriage. In the past, parents who declined these procedures would have to wait until 20 weeks gestation to learn the baby’s gender from an ultrasound.
Cell-Free DNA Screening
Now there is a better way. The development of non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) known as cell-free DNA screening
has changed the way doctors detect fetal genetic information. These new tests provide a large amount of information without any invasive procedure. Mothers only need to be 9 or 10 weeks pregnant to provide an eligible blood sample as early as the first trimester of pregnancy.
The tests work by analyzing a small portion of the baby’s DNA that is present in the mother’s blood. First, the mother provides a small blood sample at the doctor’s office. After analyzing the sample. the doctor receives a report with a substantial amount of information about the baby’s health.
The tests were originally developed to detect chromosome abnormalities. They weren’t developed to determine gender. But now several companies have started to offer the same type of testing specifically as a gender reveal test.
The NIPT kits they offer look solely for Y chromosomes – if Y chromosomes are present, it’s a boy! If no Y chromosomes are present, it’s a girl!
How Accurate are Gender Blood Tests?
As mentioned, scientists originally developed these tests to identify chromosomal abnormalities like Down or Edward syndrome. The accuracy of these tests for these conditions is very high, around 90%.
But how accurate are the NIPT kits as gender reveal tests?
According to clinical studies, the tests are 98-99.9% accurate.
Different companies offering these kits will report varying degrees of accuracy within this range. But all of them are exceedingly accurate. As early as 9 or 10 weeks we can have confidence their results are valid.
At Tummy Vision, we primarily use SneakPeek gender reveal kits because they have shown the highest degree of accuracy. SneakPeak fetal DNA testing was studied in 1,029 pregnant women and found to be 99.9% accurate. Sensitivity and specificity for fetal sex determination were also 99.9% in these clinical studies.
Gender Blood Tests at Tummy Vision
In summary, gender blood tests are one of the best ways for expecting parents to learn the gender of their baby in the first trimester of pregnancy, and they are highly reliable.
We recognize the significance and excitement of the gender reveal for expecting parents. We truly enjoy helping you learn your baby’s gender as soon as possible using the best available baby gender tests. Our staff is highly trained to provide top-quality diagnostics, from ultrasounds to gender blood tests, to new moms in a friendly and supportive care environment.
If you have any questions about cell-free fetal DNA testing, the SneakPeek gender blood tests we use, or how to schedule an appointment, please contact us here and we will be happy to help you!