Can Prenatal Testing Tell You Your Baby’s Gender?

A non-invasive prenatal test (NIPT) is an easy way for expecting parents to screen for certain chromosomal conditions. NIPTs are particularly beneficial for women who will be 35 or older when their child is born, as well as those who have already had a baby with a chromosomal abnormality. NIPTs are 92-99% accurate in detecting genetic conditions such as Down Syndrome before the baby is born.

But this type of testing can also alert you to the sex of your unborn baby, which may be something you don’t wish to know at this stage in your pregnancy. If you don’t want this information revealed, you may be wondering whether there are other testing alternatives available.

What are the testing alternatives to NIPTs?

There are a number of screening alternatives to a non-invasive prenatal test. Two of the most popular options include:

• First-trimester screening
• Quad screen

In some cases, genetic counselors combine the results of a first trimester and quad screening together.

First-trimester screening

First-trimester screening is a prenatal test that includes two separate steps: a blood test to measure certain pregnancy-specific substances in your blood, and an ultrasound to measure the size of the clear space at the back of your baby’s neck, medically known as nuchal translucency.

First-trimester screening is typically scheduled between weeks 11-14 of your pregnancy. If your genetic counselor determines that your risk of having a baby with a chromosomal disorder is high, they can recommend more definitive testing.

 Quad screen

A quad screen is a type of blood test that screens for four specific substances produced by your growing baby and passed into your bloodstream. These four substances include:

• Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP)
• Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG)
• Estriol
• Inhibin

The results of your quad screen give insight into your risk of having a baby with a genetic abnormality. For example, high-levels of AFP may indicate a greater chance of neural tube defects, while high levels of other markers could indicate Down syndrome or Edwards syndrome.

A quad screen is usually conducted between weeks 15-22 of your pregnancy. A quad screen cannot provide any definitive information, but it can help you better understand your risk and assist in making informed decisions.

Fetal ultrasounds

A fetal ultrasound, or sonogram, is a pain-free diagnostic imaging procedure that uses high-frequency sound waves to take pictures of your uterus. A machine translates the sound waves and converts them into images. Early on, fetal ultrasounds can confirm you’re pregnant.

As your pregnancy progresses, fetal ultrasounds can detect certain birth defects like neural tube abnormalities.

Tips for communicating with your genetic counselor

Prenatal testing offers many benefits, but it can also reveal information you don’t want to know.

If you and your partner want to keep the sex of your baby secret, make sure to share this information with your doctor and genetic counselor.

If you do decide to participate in a screening procedure that reveals your baby’s sex, such as a NIPT, your provider doesn’t have to share that information with you. Just be sure to clearly communicate this to your OB/GYN, GP, genetic counselor, and any other provider who will have regular access to your test results and may need to review them.