When it comes time to provide a blood sample for the Peekaboo Early Gender DNA Test, the process can differ depending on your chosen test kit. With Peekaboo’s At-Home Early Gender DNA Test, the kit will instruct customers to collect blood in one of two ways, either with a lancet (finger-prick) or with a nearly pain-free blood collection device on the arm. If you opt for Peekaboo PRO, you will have your blood sample collected professionally at a provider near you. Here, you can learn about the multiple Peekaboo collection options, their accuracy, similarities, and differences.
How the Peekaboo Blood Test for Gender Works
Peekaboo lab technicians can isolate cell-free fetal DNA with a small sample of the mother’s blood. From there, they will amplify both Y-chromosome and autosomal-specific regions of DNA using the latest quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction technology.
Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)
PCR works by repeatedly heating and cooling a DNA sample. When DNA is heated, it separates into two single strands. Next, an enzyme called “Taq polymerase” is introduced to the sample. This enzyme synthesizes and uses the original DNA strands to “build” two new strands of DNA. Technicians can repeat this process many times, producing millions of copies of the original DNA.
Chromosome Analysis
Once Peekaboo technicians produce a large enough sample of DNA, they can begin to detect if that fetal DNA contains the male (Y) chromosome. If the sample contains a Y chromosome, it indicates the mother is having a boy. The mother is pregnant with a girl if no Y chromosome is present in the fetal DNA.
*Note that all Peekaboo laboratory technicians are female to prevent male DNA contamination during analysis.
Peekaboo Gender Test Sample Collection
All Peekaboo products, Click, Lancet, and PRO use a blood sample for the purpose of early gender testing, but they do have their differences. For example:
| Factors to Consider | Peekaboo Click | Peekaboo Lancet |
| Sample Collection Location | With the Click kit, capillary blood is collected from the upper arm. | Peekaboo Lancet uses capillary blood from a simple finger prick. |
| Collection Difficulty | Peekaboo Click customers report that the product was easy to use. | Though lancet collection is simple, those who have trouble seeing blood may experience discomfort. |
| Collection Timeline | On average, sample collection will take five minutes. | Collection via lancet can take anywhere from two to ten minutes. |
| Male DNA Contamination | Male DNA contamination is quite limited, as the collection device is unexposed to outside air. | While unlikely, male DNA contamination is possible if product directions are not adhered to. |
There are key differences between the three Peekaboo products that appeal to different types of customers. Many people opt for Peekaboo Click due to the ease of collection, others favor Peekaboo Lancet due to familiarity with the collection method, and some expecting mothers choose Peekaboo PRO and leave sample collection up to a professional.
How Accurate Are Blood Tests for Gender
Regardless of which Peekaboo product you use, you can be confident in the accuracy of your test. According to a clinical study, Peekaboo is 99.5% accurate starting at six weeks gestation when sample collection occurs in an environment free of male DNA.
Within the clinical study, one trial focused on Peekaboo Click found that out of 80 pregnant women who used the arm device for collection, all 80 results were confirmed to be accurate.
*The small percentage of inaccurate results can likely be attributed to an insufficient amount of fetal DNA in the mother’s blood sample. The amount of fetal DNA in a mother’s blood will increase throughout her pregnancy.
How To Best Ensure Accurate Results at Home
If you opt for Peekaboo’s At-Home Early Gender DNA Test, there are certain steps you can follow in order to achieve best results, including:
- Proper Hand Washing
- Facilitating Blood Flow
- Minimizing Male DNA Contamination
- And More!
Check out our blog to learn 5 Helpful Tips for Peekaboo Gender Testing at Home Successfully.
Providing Results You Can Trust
As long as you follow the directions found within the test kit, you can feel confident in the accuracy of your results. Unlike other gender testing methods, Peekaboo is the only early baby gender reveal test endorsed by the American Pregnancy Association – a world leader in pregnancy health, education, and advocacy.
Peekaboo’s accreditations don’t stop there either. Headquartered in Fairfield, Ohio, Peekaboo Ph.D. scientists have continued to set the standard in DNA testing for over 25 years, using the most advanced technology and techniques available.
With accreditations from AABB, CAP, CLIA, and more, Peekaboo’s in-house laboratory has performed over 20 million DNA tests for clients worldwide.
Ready to discover your baby’s gender?
Get the Peekaboo At-Home Early Gender DNA Test, proven to be over 99% accurate, and discover your baby’s gender as early as 6 weeks from the comfort of home!