While there is a host of gender predictor kits available in most stores, there is a simple blood test that can tell doctors a lot of information about your unborn baby than ever before. This is because there are pieces of fetal DNA that are circulating the mother’s bloodstream. This is especially known as non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) that simply involves drawing blood samples to analyze in the lab. It can accurately determine not just the gender of the baby but also a number of genetic disorders such as Down syndrome.
While NIPT is more effective than any other gender predictor out there in determining the sex of your baby, it can’t know exactly if your baby does have a chromosomal disorder. It only shows the probability of having this condition but it is still able to highly predict three of the most common genetic disorders up to 99% accuracy (Trisomy 21, Trisomy 18, Trisomy 13). NIPT results are very helpful in guiding expectant mothers and doctors to know what would be the next steps, whether you will need to have a more diagnostic test be done like amnio or chorionic villus sampling. While the results of these tests are very accurate, they are invasive and may cause miscarriage.
Unlike your old folks’ gender predictor method, the NIPT process is very simple and quick, involving no rituals whatsoever. A blood sample will be drawn from the mother using a syringe, making it completely safe for you and your baby. Drawing of blood can be done either at the lab or your doctor’s office where a sample will be sent for analysis. The technician will then look at the cfDNA in your blood for Y-chromosomes and signs of abnormalities. After the results are completed, your doctor can then tell you what the gender of your baby is. It can also be used to compare with other results you have about your pregnancy to detect any disorders.