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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

How soon can you find out GENDER?

20 replies

POOCHINA · 09/12/2005 22:09

My MW scheduled me for 20 weeks. But I heard you can find out as early as 11. How can I know for sure. Anyone know?

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expatinscotland · 09/12/2005 22:10

11? Via ultrasound? Doesn't sound likely except if you'd have a CVS.

fruitcake · 09/12/2005 22:11

With an amnio. But at 19 weeks.

NotQuiteCockney · 09/12/2005 22:11

You can get a guess at 11 weeks, if you have a nuchal fold. But they only give you 70% odds or something.

Even at 20 weeks, they sometimes make mistakes. The only way to know for sure is by looking, when the baby is born!

NotQuiteCockney · 09/12/2005 22:13

Eww, do people really have CVS or amnios to check gender? I know amnios have like a 1% chance of causing miscarriage or other problems!

They do give you a certain answer, though.

expatinscotland · 09/12/2005 22:13

Or CVS or amnio. These are both chromosomal tests, so no mistakes there w/regards to gender.

Original poster

POOCHINA · 09/12/2005 22:13

I didnt think that was correct information, but my friend insisted that it was 11 weeks for her sister that she found out she was having a boy.

What is CVS?

OP posts:

notasheep · 09/12/2005 22:13

Hospital refused to tell us gender

expatinscotland · 09/12/2005 22:14

No, peeps don't use CVS or amnio for gender, at least not that I know of, but they can reveal gender, of course, in addition to any chromosomal abnormalities that may be present.

NotQuiteCockney · 09/12/2005 22:15

CVS is a test where they take a sample, with a needle. I don't know whether it's amniotic fluid, or what, but they have to stick a needle into your stomach.

The thought of it makes me a little queasy, but then, I'm dreadful with needles.

expatinscotland · 09/12/2005 22:15

CVS is chorionic villi sampling. It's a screen for chromosomal abnormalities - NOT gender - that can be used in parents who wish to know whether or not their child has a chromosomal abnormality earlier on in the pregnancy than amnio.

Our hospital also refuses to reveal gender based on ultrasound.

fruitcake · 09/12/2005 22:17

I didn't think CVS was used anymore. Of course these tests are NOT designed to satisfy parental curiousity...

Original poster

POOCHINA · 09/12/2005 22:18

So, I should stay with my 20 week sono and hope what they tell me is fact.

Does it happen often that what they reveal is wrong? Obviously it can be seen wrong, but is it only by site, or is there blood test also?

OP posts:

expatinscotland · 09/12/2005 22:18

CVS test the 'villi' - hair like tubules that protrude from the chorion, the outermost of three membranes surrounding the embryo of a mammal, about the 11th week of pregnancy. The sample can be collected via the vagina and cervix.

An amnio, however, is a sample of the fluid present in the amniotic sac. It is performed abdominally later in the pregnancy, particularly in women deemed at higher risk for producing children w/chromosomal abnormalities.

expatinscotland · 09/12/2005 22:19

CVS is definitely still in use. It's main advantage, of course, is determining if there is a chromosomal abnormality earlier in pregnancy than an amniocentisis can.

MistleToo · 09/12/2005 22:19

9 months is the clincher

NotQuiteCockney · 10/12/2005 09:17

Poochina, your hospital may have a policy of not telling.

Their guesses at gender from scans are only by sight. So, not guaranteed. Sometimes, the baby doesn't move around enough for them to see the bits, even if they would tell you if they saw them.

From what I know, if they say it's a boy, it's almost certainly a boy. If they say it's a girl, they might be wrong, although sometimes they see the bits, and are more certain.

Both mine are boys, both were accurately seen in the 20-week scan (and some later scans, too). Our 20-week scans were private, so they tell you whatever you want to know.

snowydelight · 11/12/2005 13:54

I had a CVS with DD at 11 weeks (the window of opportunity is very precise) for very specific reasons, NOT to check the gender!!!!, but that is the only way to know so early (and only amnio or CVS can tell you with 100% certainty anyway). I know at least three people who were told they were having girls at their 20 week scans, only to give birth to boys, so many health trusts have gone back to refusing to say.

Marneychristmas · 11/12/2005 14:04

I thought you could'nt find out until 16 weeks?

maddiemostmerry · 11/12/2005 14:07

We were told at ultrasound at 14 weeks. However, the scan was at Kings with very experienced staff and probably good quality eqiupment.

Mum2OneAndBump · 11/12/2005 14:09

I found out with both of mine, They gave me a percentage of what they though,
i:e ds they said 90% sure it was a boy & was right. This time they have said 85% girl & i will find out in Jan, My dp's friend was told only 70% he was having a girl, but nothing is certain & yes they can & do get it wrong, I would think that the later the scan the higher chance of it being right as baby is more developed mine were both at my 22 week scans.

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