In addition to being extremely accurate, SneakPeek’s Early Gender Prediction Test is also extremely sensitive. This means that if your blood sample becomes contaminated in any way, you may receive inaccurate results. One of the most common contaminants is male DNA from external sources, which can yield a false positive male result.
How can you reduce the risk of male DNA contaminating your test?
Take a look below at our tips for creating a contaminant-free (aka a male DNA-free) collection environment.
How to Create a Contaminant-Free Environment
The most effective way to avoid sample contamination during your SneakPeek test is to take the test in an environment that’s free of male DNA. This is because the test works by analyzing the cell-free fetal DNA in mom’s blood to detect the presence or absence of Y chromosomes.
Why the Y?
Y chromosomes only occur within male DNA. So if there are only X chromosomes present in mom’s DNA sample, it’s proof that she’s carrying a little girl. If, on the other hand, Y chromosomes have crashed mom’s X chromosome party, it’s because there’s a little boy movin’ and groovin’ in her uterus. Unless the Y chromosomes detected in the sample are from an external source (i.e. your partner, brother, or any other male).
This means you’re going to have to Beyonce this test, and get your single lady hand to do the collecting yourself (or ask a female friend to help).
But simply saying, “Boy, Bye,” to the men in your home isn’t enough to completely prevent sample contamination. To ensure a contaminant-free collection environment, it’s important to follow our collection dos and don’ts.
Collection Dos
Before collecting your sample, take the following steps:
● Ask any males in your home to give you space – This party is for X-chromosomes only. No boys allowed.
● Thoroughly wash your hands for at least 20 seconds – Make sure to get under your fingernails as well.
● Sterilize the surface you’re collecting your sample on – A cleaning spray, wet wipe, or soap and water should do the trick.
● Carefully follow all of the instructions – This will help reduce the risk of contamination, as well as clotting (which can cause an inconclusive result).
Collection Don’ts
Because SneakPeek cannot control for any contamination during your collection, it’s crucial to take the following precautions in order to receive clinically-proven over 99% accurate1 results:
● Do not allow any male to help you – You’re a strong, independent woman who can collect her sample herself. You’re basically the Rosie the Riveter of blood collections! But if you do want an extra hand collecting your sample, just make sure it’s a female one.
● Do not allow any male to touch your SneakPeek test box – Our DNA is everywhere, including in our skin cells and fingernails. So don’t let any males open your test box or touch any of the contents inside before, during, or after collection.
Once you’ve collected your sample and mailed it back to SneakPeek labs, take advantage of your male-free environment by hosting a girls only movie night, paint night, or spa night with your BFFs. And while the gals are gathered, you can check out some of our blogs together, including:
● Baby Shower Ideas for Boys
● Baby Shower Ideas for Girls
● What Do Dreams About Baby Gender Mean?
● 15 Gift Ideas for Newly Pregnant Friend (you can thank us for that one later)
