Baby gender test vs ultrasound

The only reliable way to find out the sex of a baby before birth is with a DNA test (Baby Gender Test), using a blood sample from the mother.

An ultrasound scan is always going to be less reliable than a DNA test, as the baby’s position and the clarity of the pictures play a part in whether the ultrasound technician can accurately assess the sex of the baby on the day of the scan.

Here, we look at Baby Gender Testing vs Ultrasound scans.

Baby gender bloods tests vs ultrasound scans

While blood tests and ultrasound scans are widely used to determine the sex of a baby before birth, baby gender testing using a blood sample stands out as the most accurate and reliable option.

This method, offered by AlphaBiolabs, involves analysing the mother’s blood sample for traces of the baby’s DNA to determine whether a Y chromosome is present. If a Y chromosome is found, this indicates the baby is a boy. If no Y chromosome is found, this indicates the baby is a girl.

This method can be used from as early as 6 weeks into pregnancy to determine a baby’s sex.

In contrast, ultrasound scans rely on visual interpretation of a baby’s anatomy and cannot aways be relied upon to determine a baby’s sex with accuracy, especially during the early stages of pregnancy or if the baby is not in the right position to get a clear view of the genitals during the scan appointment.

Therefore, while ultrasound scans are an essential tool for monitoring the healthy progress of a pregnancy, they are not designed for gender prediction. Only a DNA test can provide an accurate, reliable result when it comes to finding out the sex of a baby before birth.

In fact, statistics show that ultrasounds can be wrong up to 10% of the time. That means up to 10 women out of 100 will be told that they’re having a boy or a girl, only to have quite a surprise at the birth!

Ultrasound more reliable after 18 weeks

The statement that gender predictions made by ultrasound have an accuracy rate of around 90% is backed up by Stephen Carr, Professor of Obstetrics & Gynaecology at the Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University.

Until the 14th week of pregnancy, baby boys and girls look exactly the same on ultrasound. Beyond this point, noticeable anatomical differences in the genitals can show up on the scan. However, mistakes can be made when determining gender because it depends on the clarity of the images and the skills of the person interpreting them, he said.

According to Carr, it is preferable to wait until after 18 weeks of pregnancy to get a more reliable prediction of gender from an ultrasound scan. However, the baby will still need to be in a good position in the mother’s uterus (i.e. not in a breech or feet down position), and the legs will still need to be far enough apart to grant good visibility between them.

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Baby gender testing from 6 weeks

Not only can a blood test be used to scientifically determine the gender of your baby, but it can also be performed at a much earlier stage of your pregnancy – from just 6 weeks.

The AlphaBiolabs Baby Gender Test offers a 99% accurate and reliable way of finding out a baby’s gender before birth, with only a blood sample required from the mother.

We are the ONLY laboratory in Ireland to offer the TinyTAP collection device for blood sample collection, allowing you to collect your sample in the comfort of your own home.

This convenient, fuss-free method means you can collect your sample with no additional collection fees, and no clinical appointments required, before returning it to our accredited laboratory for testing.

Our in-house geneticists then analyse your blood sample for a Y chromosome. As the Y chromosome is male-specific, the detection of a Y chromosome means the baby is a boy. If no Y chromosome is present, the baby is a girl.

The test can also be used in twin pregnancies and will tell you whether at least one foetus is a boy, or that both foetuses are girls.

Our Tiny TAP device offers the ultimate convenience, allowing you to collect your own blood sample at home. However, if you would prefer to have your sample collected by a medical professional, we also provide the option to organise your own sample collection with a doctor, nurse or phlebotomist, or to book an appointment with a professional sample collector at one of our walk-in centres, or an address of your choice.

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Can a blood test for gender be wrong?

Our baby gender testing is 99% accurate, making our results extremely reliable.

For the highest chance of a conclusive result, the mother must be at least 6 weeks’ pregnant to ensure that any Y chromosome present in the blood sample is at a detectable level for foetal sex determination.

You can use our Eligibility Calculator to work out if you’re at least 6 weeks pregnant before ordering our Baby Gender Test.

If you are collecting your own sample at home using our TinyTAP device, it is very important that the samples are collected exactly in accordance with the instructions provided in your test kit.

Factors that can affect the results of the test include:

• The level of foetal DNA present in the blood sample at the time of testing – this is highly variable between individuals, and the test cannot determine the level of foetal DNA in the sample, only whether a Y chromosome is present.

• Male DNA contamination – where the DNA sample has become contaminated with male DNA due to handling of the kit contents by a male individual, environmental factors, or other reasons beyond the customer or laboratory’s control.

  Please be assured that, at AlphaBiolabs, every effort is made to minimise the risk of sample contamination throughout the testing process; samples must be collected by females only, following strict collection instructions, and are processed by a female-only lab team.

• A vanishing twin may cause a false result.

Can an ultrasound be wrong about gender?

An ultrasound can be wrong about a baby’s sex.

Although ultrasounds are commonly used to determine the sex of a baby during pregnancy (from 16+ weeks), the results are not always accurate.

Factors such as the baby’s position, movement during the scan, or the clarity of the images can make it difficult for the technician to clearly identify the genital area, which may lead to an incorrect result!

In contrast, a baby gender test using a blood sample – like the one offered by AlphaBiolabs – looks for the presence of the male Y chromosome in the mother’s blood and can be performed much earlier in pregnancy (from 6 weeks).

With an accuracy of 99%, our Baby Gender Test offers a reliable alternative to traditional ultrasound scans for expectant parents who are eager to know the sex of their baby.

Order a Baby Gender Test online now

Can you get conflicting gender results from a baby gender test vs an ultrasound?

It is possible to receive conflicting results from a baby gender test and an ultrasound, but this is usually due to differences in how the tests work and when they are performed.

A DNA-based test, like the AlphaBiolabs Baby Gender Test, analyses foetal DNA found in the mother’s blood to determine the baby’s sex. This method is highly accurate (99%) and can be performed from 6 weeks into pregnancy.

An ultrasound relies on visual interpretation of the baby’s anatomy, usually performed from 16 weeks into pregnancy. Factors like the baby’s position, movement or clarity of the image can make it difficult for the sonographer to clearly see the genital area, increasing the possibility of human error.

Of the two tests, DNA testing offers a more scientifically accurate, reliable result.

Baby gender test vs ultrasound – comparison table

Feature	Baby Gender Test	Ultrasound scan
How it works	Looks for the presence of a Y chromosome in the mother’s blood	Uses sound waves to create images of the baby
Earliest the test can be performed	From 6 weeks into pregnancy	Typically from 16 weeks into pregnancy
Accuracy	99% accurate	Accuracy can vary (typically 95-99%)
Sample collection method	Multiple options for sample collection: Collect your own sample at home using our innovative TinyTAP device Organise your own sample collection with a doctor, nurse or phlebotomist Schedule an appointment for a blood draw at one of our walk-in centres Have an AlphaBiolabs sample collector perform your blood draw at a convenient time and location	Conducted by a sonographer using ultrasound equipment
Risk of human error	Extremely low – testing performed at our ISO 17025-accredited laboratory by expert geneticists	Higher risk – depends on technician and baby’s position on the day of the ultrasound
Suitable for early planning	Yes – ideal for gender reveal planning	No – requires waiting until later in pregnancy

Where can I get a baby gender test?

It’s easy to find out the sex of your baby from as soon as 6 weeks into pregnancy, with the AlphaBiolabs Baby Gender Test.

All that’s required for a baby gender test is a small blood sample from mum, which you can collect in the comfort of your own home using our innovative, pain-free TinyTAP device. Simply press the device against your arm to collect your sample.

We are the only laboratory in Ireland to offer the fuss-free TinyTAP device for baby gender testing!

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 Baby Gender Test online now or contact us on 01 402 9466 / info@alphabiolabs.ie for guidance on which sample collection option is best for you.