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

"Blue or pink" early blood/sex test - any feedback?

68 replies

IVFbeenverylucky · 29/01/2023 21:00

First, to get it off my chest, I hate the name.
Moving past that, they offer appointments for £99 from 6 weeks, to get a blood test to find out the sex and you get the results 48 hours later (blueorpink.co.uk/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIsaTpmdXt_AIVC7TtCh1sqwDZEAMYASAAEgK6JvD_BwE).
Has anyone any experience of using them? It sounds a bit too good to be true.
(BTW I really really don't mind if it's a boy or a girl - I'm just nosy and impatient.)

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Twoinapod · 29/01/2023 21:03

I looked at these, they’re actually very inaccurate. The problem is that they are going to guess right some of the time so there will always be people saying they got theirs correct. Save your money and wait for a scan.

IVFbeenverylucky · 29/01/2023 21:05

The accuracy rates are a bit more than 50% though! My scan won't be for over 10 weeks and I'm hungry to know. There is science behind the blood test thing. It's not 100% (but neither is a scan!).

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Lucy304 · 29/01/2023 21:14

What about a NIPT instead? I had one at 11 weeks and got the results about a week later. More expensive but I think they're very accurate. I had it because I wanted to know my risk of Down's, Patau's and Edward's but they also asked if I wanted to know the gender.

FlounderingFruitcake · 29/01/2023 21:16

I’d go NIPT, it’s more accurate than any ultrasound for screening and sex. Can be done from 10-11 weeks.

IVFbeenverylucky · 30/01/2023 09:02

I'm only 5 + 4. NIPT you have to wait for ages. I could do the blood test a week Saturday and find out. As I said, I'm impatient!

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Follycastle · 30/01/2023 09:08

OP if you’re that impatient pregnancy is going to be a massive slog for you. What will knowing so early actually change for you?

I don’t understand why people are obsessed with their baby’s sex long before it’s even born.

Twizbe · 30/01/2023 09:11

Gosh you're going to find pregnancy really long if you're that impatient.

Just wait for the scan. If you go for this test which is WRONG half of the time, you'll just spend the next weeks going over if it's right or not.

IVFbeenverylucky · 30/01/2023 09:15

@Twizbe On what basis is it wrong half the time??? That's quite an assertion. It is not simply tossing a coin FFS!
I am impatient generally. I've done pregnancy twice before and yes it's a long slog but worth it.
Genuinely don't mind. Have 2DDs, but am NOT trying for a boy. Boy or girl, they are a much loved IVF baby, and I really don't mind, just want to know. For me it's all part of the excitement really.

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Twizbe · 30/01/2023 09:28

Your post said it had an accuracy rate of 50% which I've read to mean the test is wrong half the time.

CornishGem1975 · 30/01/2023 09:34

You need to be at least 8 weeks pregnant because the blood test needs to be able to detect fetal DNA in your blood.

IVFbeenverylucky · 30/01/2023 09:38

@Twizbe Sorry but I've not said that. The clinic claims the accuracy is 99%. Clearly it's not going to be 50%; there's obviously a 50% chance either way, so that would be pointless lol.

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Twizbe · 30/01/2023 09:50

IVFbeenverylucky · 29/01/2023 21:05

The accuracy rates are a bit more than 50% though! My scan won't be for over 10 weeks and I'm hungry to know. There is science behind the blood test thing. It's not 100% (but neither is a scan!).

Right here. If that was a typo sorry

IVFbeenverylucky · 30/01/2023 09:53

No typo, but a response to a pp. The "a bit more than 50%" was meant to be sarcastic. No one is going to pay for 50% accuracy - I can toss a coin for that!

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Twizbe · 30/01/2023 09:55

Oh well no need to bite my head off.

Even so, why spend your money on this. Wait a bit longer and you'll have a more accurate result.

TallulahBetty · 30/01/2023 09:57

Everyone saying 'wait for the scan'. No scan is 100% either, and that's assuming they will tell you the sex at your (presumably 20 week?) scan - our Trust don't.

IVFbeenverylucky · 30/01/2023 09:59

@TallulahBetty Amazed your trust don't tell you the sex. Which Trust is it? Do they have a reason? I've never heard of that.
With DD1 I found out at 20 weeks; with DD2 I paid for a scan at 16 weeks because just could not wait any longer.
You are right that scans are not 100% of course.....Atm 20 weeks, even 16 weeks, feels like forever :).

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TallulahBetty · 30/01/2023 10:00

A Trust in the Midlands - I'd rather not say which. It's been the case fore years - DD is 11 and the policy is in place still.

TallulahBetty · 30/01/2023 10:01

And the reason is partly to do with sex-related terminations in certain areas.

IVFbeenverylucky · 30/01/2023 10:04

@TallulahBetty
If that's the reason I'm sympathetic, but still astonished. Terminations at 20 weeks are not that easy to get I don't think? And if people are so determined there are cheaper/quicker ways of finding out.
Can't stress enough that is not why I want to find out early.
Feeling a bit sick about this tbh.

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MissMaple82 · 30/01/2023 10:10

You need to be at least 7 weeks minimum

Kayycatt · 30/01/2023 10:12

I think if OP wants to go for the test to find out the gender then I would say go for it. Do whatever makes you happy.

Though I think it a bit of a waste of money and would have preferred to spend that £99 on something else for the baby but that's just me.

TallulahBetty · 30/01/2023 10:14

IVFbeenverylucky · 30/01/2023 10:04

@TallulahBetty
If that's the reason I'm sympathetic, but still astonished. Terminations at 20 weeks are not that easy to get I don't think? And if people are so determined there are cheaper/quicker ways of finding out.
Can't stress enough that is not why I want to find out early.
Feeling a bit sick about this tbh.

Oh of course. It won't, and doesn't, stop people. But at least the Trust can say they're not 'contributing' to the issue.

Twoinapod · 30/01/2023 19:08

The reason why these tests are not accurate is because there’s a lot of variables that can affect the blood sample. I’m assuming this is one of those companies that send you the kits to take the samples at home? There was a thread on here a few years ago, and so many people said that there’s was wrong and the company say that the sample was contaminated that’s why it’s wrong. Unless you can go to a clinic to get the blood taken it’s really hard to guarantee a sterile environment. That’s a lot of money to spend if it’s wrong.

I understand being desperate to know, I chose not to find out with mine and I almost cracked several times. I did end up paying for a prediction based on nub theory but that was only £5 so not too bad.

Namechangedforspooky · 30/01/2023 19:11

I found out at 10 weeks with NIPT. Bit more expensive than that though!

IVFbeenverylucky · 30/01/2023 20:02

@Twoinapod
The company I was asking for recommendations for does do the blood samples themselves in Central London on weekends.
@Namechangedforspooky I can't find an NIPT for less than £400, but this is £100, so big difference.

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