Is It Better to Know the Sex of Your Baby?

A few years ago, the earliest you could learn a baby’s sex was 10 weeks via non-invasive prenatal testing. Misleading myths about belly shape, such as the difference between boy and girl bumps, were commonplace. Today, it’s possible to peek into the future as early as 6 weeks into gestation—but how much of a difference does learning your baby’s sex early actually make? Is it better to know the sex of your baby sooner?

Ultimately, the answer depends on your own preferences. While some expecting parents crave knowing as much as possible about their future child, others prefer to keep sex a mystery.

That said, there are some advantages to learning your baby’s sex ahead of time. Finding out about your baby’s sex early offers numerous benefits that expecting parents might consider. This might include effective planning, preparation, or reducing the element of surprise. If you’re deciding whether or not to test for sex early on in your pregnancy, it’s helpful to know what those benefits are so you can make an informed decision.

5 benefits of learning baby’s sex early

Whether or not this is your first child, most parents expect some massive changes with a baby on the way. For this reason, many people want to learn as much as possible, as early as possible, to prepare for (and celebrate) the changes to come, often prioritizing knowledge on topics like safe medications during pregnancy and finding natural comforts in pregnancy safe teas.

#1 Preparing ahead of time

Countless choices can be heavily impacted by sex, including:

• Baby names
• Nursery themes
• Religious practices
• Cultural traditions
• Medical decisions

Some parents don’t want to wait until the second trimester to make certain decisions. Learning about your baby’s sex early can help make these tasks feel less stressful.

#2 Building a bond earlier

Many expecting parents find that having even an idea of who’s on the other side can make pregnancy feel more real. For some, knowing whether they’re having a boy or a girl can help initiate the process of bonding—even imaginatively—with their future child. This might mean:

• Using their child’s name in everyday conversations
• Speaking to their child (babies start the language learning process inside the womb!)
• Picturing future activities, milestones, and events with family members
• Simply feeling more engaged and present during the pregnancy journey

Remember, bonding doesn’t just happen between parents and their future child—grandfolks, siblings, and other members of your network may also want to express their excitement. For older siblings, too, “You’re getting a little sister!” could be easier to grasp than “baby.”

#3 Anticipating new family dynamics

On the topic of older siblings, it’s important to recognize that a new addition can be a considerable shift for other members of the family, especially those between the ages of 2 and 4. It’s helpful to start these conversations with older children early, allowing them to understand their role and feel loved.

Introducing a new sibling can also raise practical questions, like whether your children will share a bedroom or toys. While these considerations don’t always hinge on sex, it can still be a useful detail to factor in when thinking through logistical questions, family planning, and long-term goals.

#4 Celebrating their arrival meaningfully

Gender reveal celebrations aren’t universal, but they can be a fun, memorable way to celebrate your new arrival. If you want to throw one, knowing your baby’s sex earlier will give you plenty of time to come up with a creative way to share the news.

#5 Reducing stress by gaining clarity

Pregnancy brings abundant joy and excitement, but it can also churn up uncertainty. For some parents, knowing something concrete ahead of time—like their baby’s sex—can help soothe some of those anxieties.

Learning your baby’s sex: what healthcare providers say

Every parent has the option to find out their baby’s sex during the anatomy scan or 20-week ultrasound, which typically takes place between 18 and 22 weeks of pregnancy.

Physicians consider this procedure a necessity in prenatal treatment. The ultrasound gives your care team the information they need to test for complications if there’s anything amiss. At the anatomy scan, they’ll:

• Confirm your baby’s organ development
• Make sure your baby is developing at a healthy rate
• Screen for signs of congenital conditions
• Check your amniotic fluid levels

While sonographers can tell you your baby’s sex at this stage, it’s up to you whether you want to hear that information. In other words, knowing your baby’s sex isn’t typically considered a necessity unless it pertains to a potential medical issue.

What do healthcare providers say about early sex testing?

These days, at-home DNA tests can reveal a baby’s expected sex at just 6 weeks into pregnancy. At-home tests work by collecting a sample of maternal blood and screening it for fetal DNA:

• If a Y chromosome is present, the fetus is likely male
• If no Y chromosome is present, then (by deductive reasoning) the fetus is likely female

Just like at an in-office anatomy scan, most clinicians would say that learning a fetus’s sex early is an entirely personal decision.

At-home DNA blood tests offer a safe, accessible, and reliable way to get answers earlier. However, certain at-home tests are considered more reliable than others for predicting a baby’s sex; be sure to do your research if you’re interested in using one.

Are there any drawbacks to learning a baby’s sex early?

Parents considering early testing typically feel that the pros outweigh the cons, but there are some potential drawbacks to consider.

For instance, some parents could feel pressure from friends or family once they’ve shared their baby’s sex. There’s always the chance of loved ones developing expectations surrounding:

• Personality
• Preferences
• Activities and pastimes
• Future roles

Similarly, some parents worry that revealing their baby’s sex will reinforce stereotypes or beliefs about gender roles.

So long as you maintain a flexible, curious mindset, learning your baby’s sex earlier can be a wonderful way to enter parenthood with more clarity and excitement.

Methods for testing sex early

While there are many fun methods for sex prediction, such as a gender predictor quiz or old wives’ tales for sex prediction, there are many more scientific methods available. If you don’t want to wait until your 20-week ultrasound, there are quicker routes to finding out your baby’s sex early.

Non-invasive Prenatal Testing (NIPTs)

NIPTs are blood tests, administered by a healthcare professional, that screen a maternal blood sample for fragments of fetal DNA.

NIPTs are primarily used to screen a baby in utero for chromosomal conditions; determining sex is considered secondary. Importantly, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends NIPTs for all pregnant women, regardless of age or medical history.

Today, NIPTs can be administered as early as 8 weeks into pregnancy and are often fully or partially covered by insurance, depending on your coverage.

At-home gender DNA tests

At-home early gender tests like the SneakPeek® Test can be used as early as 6 weeks into a pregnancy to predict a baby’s sex with accuracy. Unlike NIPTs, they do not screen for chromosomal conditions. Their only function is to reveal your baby’s predicted sex.

These methods are also easily performed in the comfort of home. Simply retrieve a maternal blood sample and mail it to the laboratory, where they’ll screen the sample for fetal DNA.

Parents who use at-home DNA tests tend to value their price and efficiency. They’re also generally more convenient, as no in-person doctor’s appointment is necessary. That said, if it’s important to you, you can go to a clinic to have the same method administered by a seasoned healthcare professional.

Amniocentesis and chorionic villus sampling (CVS)

Amniocentesis and chorionic villus sampling (CVS) are two other high accuracy options for learning a baby’s sex. However, this isn’t their main function. Like NIPTs, these tests are primarily used to diagnose chromosomal conditions:

• Amniocentesis works by extracting a sample of amniotic fluid for testing
• CVS works by retrieving a sample of placental tissue for testing

These tests must be performed by seasoned healthcare providers. It’s also important to note that they’re the most invasive methods, as they require access to your uterus, and they come with a risk of miscarriage.

How to know if early sex testing is right for you

If you’re still on the fence as to whether or not to learn your baby’s sex early, it can be helpful to ask yourself the following questions:

• Why do I want to know my baby’s sex early?
• How could knowing impact my pregnancy experience?
• How might knowing impact how I and my household prepare for the baby?
• Do I want to share results with family and friends, or keep them private?
• Are there cultural, religious, or family factors to consider before finding out early?
• Have I found an accurate, high-quality test comparable to an ultrasound?

Considering these questions leads to a deeper understanding of pregnancy goals and choices. Preparedness enhances clarity when early gender results arrive. The more prepared you are to test, the more prepared you’ll feel when you get those results.

Get results sooner with the SneakPeek® test

The SneakPeek® Early Gender Test offers expecting parents the opportunity to discover their baby’s predicted sex as early as six weeks into pregnancy with over 99% clinically proven accuracy. Over one million parents have already used the SneakPeek test to meet their future child sooner than ever before. Are you ready to join them?

Prepare and celebrate early by ordering your test kit today.

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At SneakPeek, our commitment is to provide accurate, up-to-date, and reliable information to empower our readers. Our content is thoroughly researched, reviewed by medical experts, and fact-checked to ensure its credibility. We prioritize the well-being and education of our readers, and our editorial policy adheres to the highest standards of integrity and accuracy in all our articles.

Sources:

1. Cleveland Clinic. 20-Week Ultrasound (Anatomy Scan). https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diagnostics/22644-20-week-ultrasound
2. Today’s Parent. When Does A Baby’s Sex Develop in the Womb? Experts Explain. https://www.todaysparent.com/pregnancy/baby-gender-determination/
3. Mayo Clinic. How older siblings may react to a new baby. https://mcpress.mayoclinic.org/parenting/how-older-siblings-may-react-to-a-new-baby/
4. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Current ACOG Guidance: NIPT Summary of Recommendations. https://www.acog.org/advocacy/policy-priorities/non-invasive-prenatal-testing/current-acog-guidance
5. Cleveland Clinic. NIPT Test. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diagnostics/21050-nipt-test
6. Cleveland Clinic. Amniocentesis. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diagnostics/4206-genetic-amniocentesis
7. Cleveland Clinic. Chorionic Villus Sampling for Prenatal Diagnosis. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diagnostics/4028-chorionic-villus-sampling-for-prenatal-diagnosis