In most cases, the pregnant woman can find out the sex of the baby during the ultrasound that is performed in mid-pregnancy, usually between the 16th and 20th week of pregnancy. However, if the examining technician is unable to obtain a clear image of the baby's genitals, that certainty may be delayed until the next visit.
Although the development of the sexual organs begins at around 6 weeks of gestation, it takes at least about 16 weeks for the technician to be able to clearly observe the traces on the ultrasound, and even then, depending on the baby's position, this observation can be difficult.
So, since it is a result that depends on the position of the baby, its development, as well as the expertise of the technician who is doing the exam, it is possible that some pregnant women discover the sex of the baby more quickly than others.
Is it possible to know sex before 20 weeks?
Although ultrasound, at around 20 weeks, is the most used way to know the sex of the baby, it is also possible to make this discovery if the pregnant woman needs to have a blood test to identify if the baby has any type of chromosomal alteration, which may result in Down syndrome, for example.
This test is usually done from the 9th week of gestation, but is reserved for women who are at high risk of having a baby with chromosomal changes, as it is quite expensive.
In addition, there is also the possibility for the pregnant woman to have a blood test, after the 8th week, to know the sex of the baby, known as fetal sexing. But this is usually a test that is not available on the public network and is quite expensive, not being covered by SUS or health plans. Better understand what fetal sexing is and how it is done.
Is there a urine test to know the sex of the baby?
In recent years, several tests have been developed that can be done at home to find out the sex of the baby. One of the most popular is the urine test. According to the manufacturers, this type of test can be done at home and helps the pregnant woman to discover the sex of the baby through the reaction of the hormones present in the urine with the test crystals.
However, there does not seem to be any independent study that proves the effectiveness of these tests, and most manufacturers also do not guarantee a success rate above 90% and, therefore, warn against decision-making based only on the test result.. See an example of a urine test to find out the sex of the baby at home.
