When can you tell the gender of your babies?

For parents-to-be, one of the most exciting moments of pregnancy is finding out if they are expecting a boy or a girl. For parents of multiples, the excitement is probably even greater, because how many of each are actually hiding in there?

It can feel like a major milestone on the journey to parenthood. But when can you actually tell the sex of your babies and what methods are available? In this post, we’ll guide you through when and how you can find out the gender of your children.

Gender by ultrasound scan – weeks 18-22
The most common way to find out the sex of a foetus is through an ultrasound scan. This is typically done between weeks 18-22 of pregnancy during the so-called malformation scan (also known as the second trimester scan).

The purpose of this scan is to check the general health and development of the foetus, but it’s also where many parents-to-be can find out if there are girls or boys in the womb – or maybe both.

At this stage of pregnancy, the genitals are sufficiently developed for an experienced sonographer (the person performing the scan) to usually be able to determine the gender with great accuracy.

However, the position of the foetuses in the womb or other factors, such as the quality of the scanning equipment, can make it difficult to see the gender clearly. Therefore, sometimes it may not be possible to get an accurate answer with this scan.

Can you see the gender earlier?
Many parents-to-be are curious and want to know the gender as early as possible. It’s possible to get an idea of the gender already at an ultrasound scan around weeks 14-16, but it’s far less accurate than the scan at weeks 18-22.

At this stage, the genitals are still developing and although some scan specialists can give an educated guess, it’s not always reliable.

Earlier and more accurate methods
If you really want to know the gender before weeks 18-22, there are other methods that can give you an answer already in the first trimester:

NIPT (Non-Invasive Prenatal Test): This test can be taken as early as week 10 and is a blood sample from the mother that analyses the fetal DNA. In addition to providing a risk estimate for diseases due to chromosomal defects, the test can also reveal the sex of the foetus. It’s a very accurate method, but unlike the regular ultrasound scan, NIPT is not offered as a routine test in the Danish healthcare system. It usually has to be paid for privately.

CVS (placental biopsy) and amniocentesis: These tests are primarily used to diagnose genetic diseases and can reveal the gender very early. CVS can be performed as early as 10-12 weeks and an amniocentesis from around 15-18 weeks. However, as these tests are invasive and carry a small risk of complications, they are only recommended if there is a medical reason for it.

The surprise of childbirth
Even though modern technology allows us to know the gender of babies relatively early in pregnancy, some parents still choose to leave it as a surprise at birth.

It can be a fun and exciting way to add a little extra magic to the day the babies are born. The decision to find out the gender before birth or not is entirely up to the parents-to-be and there is no right or wrong way to do it.

What should you remember?
The most common and reliable way to find out the gender is by ultrasound scan in weeks 18-22.
If you want to know earlier, a NIPT test can give an answer from week 10, but this is a private test.
It can be difficult to determine gender accurately before weeks 18-22, and some parents find that the foetuses are not in a position that makes it easy to see the gender on the scan.

Whether you choose to find out the gender early or you want a surprise at birth, the most important thing is that your babies are healthy. Pregnancy is a time of excitement and finding out the gender can be one of the most joyful milestones along the way.

Remember, every pregnancy is different and the tests may vary from hospital to hospital. If in doubt, always consult your own doctor.

When did you find out the gender of your babies or did you choose to wait until birth? Share your story in the comments section!