Calling all expecting parents out there! Are you eagerly awaiting the arrival of your little bundle of joy and wondering if it's a boy or a girl? The suspense of waiting to find out can be unbearable, but thankfully there are ways to discover the gender of your baby earlier than the 20-week anatomy scan. It's a fun and exciting part of pregnancy that many parents look forward to, and there are several options available to help you find out if you're having a boy or a girl.
Sneak Peek
One popular method is the Sneak Peek blood test, which is a simple and non-invasive way to find out the gender of your baby as early as 8 weeks into pregnancy. This test works by analyzing fetal DNA found in the mother's bloodstream, and it can be done from the comfort of your own home. It's an accurate and reliable way to find out the gender of your baby early on, and many parents swear by it.
NIPT
Another option is the NIPT blood test, which is typically done between 10-14 weeks of pregnancy. This test is more accurate than the Sneak Peek test but is also more expensive and not usually covered on the NHS unless there's a medical reason for it. However, if you want to screen more thoroughly for certain conditions, finding out the gender at the same time can be an added bonus if you're keen to know.
Private Scans
For those who can't wait until the 20-week NHS anatomy scan, private gender scans are available as early as 16 weeks gestation. While these aren't done on the NHS, they're not overly expensive and they offer a chance to see your little one and get an early glimpse of their gender. When you pay privately for a scan the clinic ensure it's a really nice experience for you and you have the option to buy things like gender reveal balloons, heartbeat bears and videos of your scan/
Unproven Methods
But the fun doesn't stop there! There are some old wives' tales and fun, unverified methods for predicting the gender of your baby, like the Ramzi theory and the Nub theory. These are said to have some science to them but are largely unproven, you can find Facebook groups where you can post your scan picture and have others give their guess using these methods. They can add a little bit of fun and excitement to the guessing game.
In the end, the most important thing is that your baby is healthy and happy, regardless of their gender. But if you're eager to find out if it's a boy or a girl, these methods can help satisfy your curiosity and add some fun to your pregnancy journey.
