Pregnancy is filled with excitement and anticipation, but one of the biggest questions that run through a pregnant woman’s mind is the gender of the baby.

While there are many ways to predict the gender of your baby, the most reliable method of determining the sex of the baby is through an ultrasound.

Ultrasound is a safe and non-invasive procedure which uses high-frequency sound waves to create images of the fetus in the womb. It offers a powerful diagnostic tool to check the development of the baby, as well as assess the health of the mother.

During an ultrasound, the technologist or sonographer can also identify the sex of the baby. But, what week can you see the baby’s gender on an ultrasound?.

When can gender be determined by an ultrasound?

The timing of an ultrasound is important when it comes to determining the sex of the baby. Generally, the best time to see the baby’s genitalia on ultrasound is between 18 and 20 weeks gestation.

This is because, at this stage, the baby’s external genitalia are developed enough to be visualized on the ultrasound.

Before this stage, it may be difficult to distinguish whether the baby is a boy or a girl. At around 12 weeks, it’s possible to see the genital tubercle, which eventually transforms into either male or female genitalia.

However, at this stage, it can be challenging to identify the sex of the baby, as the genital tubercle looks the same in both boys and girls.

Later in pregnancy, it can be difficult to see the baby’s genitalia as the baby may be positioned in a way that makes it hard to get a good view.

Also, the accuracy of the ultrasound in determining the sex of the baby can depend on many factors, including the experience of the sonographer and the position of the baby.

Accuracy of ultrasound in determining gender

The accuracy of ultrasound in determining the sex of the baby varies depending on the experience of the sonographer and the timing of the ultrasound.

According to research, ultrasound can be up to 99.9% accurate in determining the sex of the baby when performed correctly at around 18 to 20 weeks. However, it’s worth noting that there is always a small chance of error.

In some cases, it may still be difficult to determine the sex of the baby even at 20 weeks. This may happen if the baby is in a position that makes it hard to get a clear view of the genitalia or if the baby’s legs are crossed.

If this happens, the sonographer may ask the mother to return for another ultrasound at a later date when the baby is in a better position.

What if the sonographer can’t determine the gender?

If the sonographer is unable to determine the sex of the baby during an ultrasound, it can be frustrating for the parents-to-be.

However, it’s essential to remember that there can be many reasons why the baby’s genitalia may be difficult to see. In some cases, returning for another ultrasound at a later stage may be helpful.

It may also be worth trying other methods of predicting the baby’s gender.

For example, some people believe in old wives’ tales such as heart rate, cravings, and morning sickness, although it’s worth noting that there is no scientific evidence to support these methods.

Another option is to consider non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT). NIPT is a blood test that can detect the baby’s DNA in the mother’s blood.

It can be done as early as ten weeks into the pregnancy and is highly accurate in determining the sex of the baby. However, it’s worth noting that NIPT is not always covered by insurance and can be expensive out-of-pocket.

Conclusion

Ultrasound is a valuable diagnostic tool that can offer insight into the development of the fetus and help assess the health of the mother.

It’s the most accurate way to determine the sex of the baby, with the timing of the ultrasound being crucial.

The best time to see the baby’s genitalia on ultrasound is between 18 and 20 weeks gestation. Although there is always a small risk of error, the method is generally up to 99.9% accurate in determining the sex of the baby.

If the sonographer is unable to determine the sex; there are still other options to consider, such as returning for another ultrasound at a later date or non-invasive prenatal testing.