When is the best time to take a baby gender test?

Finding out you’re expecting a baby is often accompanied by excitement, curiosity, and many questions.

One of the most common questions expectant parents ask is: when can I find out the sex of my baby?

Traditionally, parents have had to wait for the foetal anatomy scan at around 18 weeks to learn their baby’s sex – and even then, it’s not always guaranteed.

However, advances in DNA technology make it possible to find out your baby’s sex from as early as 6 weeks into pregnancy, with only a small blood sample from the mother required.

Here, we explain how early baby gender testing works and how to decide the best time to take a baby gender test.

How early baby gender testing works

Early baby gender testing is based on well-established genetic science.

During pregnancy, fragments of the baby’s DNA pass through the placenta and enter mum’s bloodstream. These fragments are known as cell-free foetal DNA (cffDNA).

Research has shown that this DNA can be detected from very early pregnancy, often from around 6 weeks’ gestation.

All that’s required for an AlphaBiolabs baby gender test is a small blood sample from mum, making the test completely non-invasive and 100% safe for both mum and baby.

Mum’s blood sample is then analysed at our accredited laboratory. If a Y chromosome is detected, the baby is a boy. If no Y chromosome is detected, the baby is a girl.

We offer multiple options for blood sample collection, including the innovative, pain-free TinyTAP device – allowing you to collect your own blood sample at home, with no additional fees or clinical appointments required.

Alternatively, you have the option to organise your own sample collection or book an appointment with a professional sample collector at one of our walk-in centres, or at a location convenient to you.

Order your test now

Why do I need to wait until 6 weeks for a baby gender test?

A baby gender test should only be performed when mum is at least 6 weeks’ pregnant.

This is important, because it is typically the point at which there is enough of the baby’s DNA present in mum’s bloodstream for reliable laboratory analysis.

Before this stage, the amount of foetal DNA circulating in the blood may be too low to detect a Y chromosome. This means that testing too early can increase the likelihood of an inconclusive result.

Gestational age (or number of weeks’ pregnant) is usually calculated from the first day of your last menstrual period, rather than from the date of conception.

Because of this, many people reach six weeks of pregnancy only a few weeks after discovering they are expecting.

For some parents, waiting slightly longer, for example until 8 or 9 weeks, can provide additional reassurance, particularly if:

• The exact conception date is uncertain
• Pregnancy dates have not yet been confirmed by a scan
• You prefer to increase the amount of foetal DNA available for testing

Learn more: When and how can you find out the gender of your baby?

Early baby gender testing vs the 18-22-week anatomy scan

In Ireland, most pregnant women are offered a foetal anatomy scan between 18 and 22 weeks of pregnancy.

This ultrasound appointment is an important part of routine antenatal care and is primarily designed to assess the baby’s development and identify any potential health concerns.

During the scan, the sonographer checks the baby’s growth and anatomy, including the brain and skull, heart, spine, limbs and internal organs, placenta and amniotic fluid.

This is also the appointment where many expectant parents can find out their baby’s sex.

However, this isn’t always possible if:

• The baby is in a position where the genitals are difficult to see
• The baby is moving frequently during the scan

As a result, the only 100% accurate and reliable way to find out your baby’s sex during pregnancy is with a DNA baby gender test.

Below is a side-by-side comparison of how a baby gender test using DNA compares to the traditional ultrasound scan.

It’s important to remember that baby gender testing does not replace routine pregnancy scans. Instead, it offers expectant parents an opportunity to find out their baby’s sex much earlier in pregnancy.

	DNA baby gender test	Ultrasound scan
Performed at	6 weeks	18+ weeks
Accuracy	99%	95-99%
100% safe and non-invasive	✓	✓
Collect your own sample	✓	×
No appointment needed	✓	×

Learn more: Baby gender test versus ultrasound

Early baby gender testing with AlphaBiolabs

AlphaBiolabs’ early baby gender testing is performed at our accredited laboratory by expert geneticists, using validated DNA analysis techniques.

Our test makes it possible to find out the sex of your baby from as soon as 6 weeks into pregnancy, with only a blood sample from mum required. 

More reasons to choose AlphaBiolabs for your Baby Gender Test:

• From €119 with results in just 3-4 days from receipt of your blood sample at our laboratory
• We’re the only testing laboratory offering the easy-to-use, pain-free TinyTAP device – so you can collect your sample quickly and easily at home
• 100% safe for mum and baby
• We’re ISO 17025-accredited, ensuring our processes meet the highest international standards for accuracy and reliability
• We’re rated 5 stars on DNA Testing Choice, based on reviews from real customers
• We prioritise your privacy and guarantee 100% confidentiality throughout the testing process. This includes sending your test kit in discreet, plain packaging, and delivering your password-protected results via secure email
• Option to organise your own sample collection, or book an appointment with a professional sample collector at one of our walk-in centres, or at a location convenient to you

Order your Baby Gender Test online now.

Alternatively, contact us on 01 402 9466 / info@alphabiolabs.ie for more information.