Can an NIPT test determine Gender?

As an expecting parent, discovering the gender of your future child can be an exciting moment. Waiting until the 20th week of pregnancy for an ultrasound can be too long for some parents, but fortunately, there are now several methods to find out the baby’s gender earlier. For example, the Peekaboo Early Gender DNA test can provide results up to 13 weeks earlier than the standard ultrasound, and can be performed as early as the 6th week of pregnancy with just a small blood sample. The test result is also 99% accurate.

What is an NIPT test?

If you want to screen for genetic abnormalities as well as determine your baby’s gender, the NIPT test is a non-invasive prenatal screening test that uses a blood sample from the mother to test the baby’s DNA for genetic conditions, including Down syndrome. If requested, NIPT tests will also determine your baby’s gender with 98% to 99% accuracy (1). Unlike invasive tests like chorionic villus sampling (CVS) or amniocentesis (amnio), NIPT is safe for both the mother and the baby, as it only involves taking blood with a needle and syringe. The test can be done as early as after the 10th week of pregnancy, and the blood sample is sent to the laboratory, where a lab technician examines it for any abnormalities.

It’s important to note that not every pregnant woman is recommended by her doctor to have the elective NIPT test. Indicators such as the pregnant mother’s age (35 years or older) or a history of chromosomal abnormalities may determine whether the test is offered. Insurance companies also vary as to whether they will cover the expense of the NIPT test.

Early Gender DNA Tests

However, if you want to know your baby’s gender and the previously mentioned indicators do not apply to your situation, or if you don’t want to wait until 10 to 12 weeks into pregnancy, a specific Early Gender DNA test is a perfect solution. This test can be done as early as after the 6th week of pregnancy and requires a significantly lower fetal fraction than standard NIPT screening.

The Peekaboo Early Gender DNA test can predict the baby’s gender from a safe and affordable at-home kit that can be ordered right to your home. The test kit allows an expecting mom to collect her blood sample right from home, then send it back to the company. In the laboratory, the blood sample is analyzed to detect the baby’s DNA, and looks for the presence of a Y (male) chromosomes. If the test shows even a small amount of Y chromosomes, it is a boy. If no Y chromosomes are found in the blood sample, the baby is a girl. Thanks to advanced technology, NIPT gender tests are 99%+ accurate and can be taken as early as 6 weeks into pregnancy. Peekaboo is also the only early gender-reveal DNA test endorsed by the American Pregnancy Association.

Many expecting parents choose to do both tests, so they can learn the baby’s gender as early as 6 weeks, then take the full NIPT test around 10-12 weeks to learn about the baby’s genetic profile. Either way, enjoy the excitement of learning more about your future child!