When Can an Ultrasound Be Done to Determine Gender?

Having a baby is an exciting time, and finding out the baby's gender is often a parent's biggest question. Today's technology allows doctors to distinguish between male and female in the early stages of pregnancy, but there are several factors that affect accuracy. The stage of pregnancy, the ultrasound technician's ability and the positioning of the baby all play a role.

  1. The Facts

    • Early in a pregnancy, males and females have identical genitalia. Around 12 to 14 weeks the genitals can be distinguished as male or female, but it's still a bit early in their formation. The clitoris and penis look very similar, and the testes don't "drop" until the third trimester. A skilled technician should be able to tell you the news as early as week 16 or 18. Mistakes can still be made, though.

    Mistakes Can Happen

    • Besides doing an ultrasound too soon, before the genitalia are well-formed, another reason a technician may make a mistake has to do with how he or she determines gender. Sometimes it is assumed that if a penis is absent the fetus must be female. Make sure that your technician can point out to you the female parts. Females have 3 lines: the clitoris in the middle and the labia sandwiching it.

    Misconceptions

    • Doctors should not perform an ultrasound simply to determine gender. Ultrasounds are only supposed to be administered for medical necessities. Some pregnancies don't warrant an ultrasound at all, while others will have them frequently.

    Purposes

    • Ultrasounds are for diagnostic purposes, and began in the 1950s. In the second trimester, around 20 weeks, doctors use them to determine the age of a fetus, check its growth, evaluate the health of the uterus and do an overall check of the fetus' health.

      Most doctors will do a 20-week ultrasound, and it just so happens that the fetus' genitals are well-formed at this time.

    Warnings

    • It's become quite popular to get 3-D and 4-D ultrasounds for keepsake photos of unborn babies, and the allure is understandable. But the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine warns against getting ultrasounds for entertainment purposes only. The person doing the ultrasound is not always a medical professional, and may not be interested in doing any diagnoses. If your baby has physical deformities or your placenta has obvious problems, they have no obligation to inform the mother. Worse, they often won't.

      Additionally, though ultrasounds are considered safe, it hasn't been ruled out that there may be effects on the fetus.

    2. Previous:

    Next:

    • How far along in pregnancy do you have to be miss your period?
      Its impossible to say for sure how far along in pregnancy you have to be to miss your period. Everyone is different, and there are many factors that can affect your cycle. Heres why:* Irregular Cycles: Some women have naturally irregular periods, mak
    • Can you be 3 months pregnant and still seeing your period at the same time?
      Its extremely unlikely to be seeing your period at 3 months pregnant. Heres why:* Pregnancy and Periods: Once youre pregnant, your body stops ovulating and your period ceases. The hormone changes that occur during pregnancy prevent the lining of the
    • Treatments for Vomiting in Pregnancy
      Vomiting during pregnancy is unavoidable for most women. Morning sickness is an expected part of pregnancy. Some women even welcome it, because vomiting is a sign that the pregnancy is progressing properly. However, morning sickness is never enjoyabl