Deciding whether to find out a baby's gender is a personal decision that couples generally make in early pregnancy. Many couples are too excited to wait until their child is born to find out whether the baby is a boy or a girl. Knowing the gender of the baby also makes it easier for parents to decorate the nursery and buy baby clothes. Other parents like the surprise of waiting until birth to find out whether they are having a boy or a girl. Doing so can add to the excitement of watching the newborn baby arrive.

Ultrasound

The most common method of determining the gender of a baby is through an ultrasound. An ultrasound performed during weeks 18 through 26 of pregnancy is the most accurate in determining the baby's sex--but the results aren't guaranteed. Determining the baby's gender through an ultrasound is dependent on a few issues, depending on the position of the baby and the skill of the ultrasound practitioner. It is also not the most accurate method of determining a baby's gender. It's not uncommon for parents to be told that they'll be having a girl, only to deliver a little boy a few months later.

Amniocentisis

Amniocentisis can determine a baby's gender with 99 percent accuracy, but is not done only for the purpose of determining a baby's sex because of the risk of miscarriage or pregnancy complications that accompanies the procedure. During amniocentisis, cells from the developing fetus are collected by sticking a needle into the amniotic sac and taking a sample of the fluid. The results of the test, which take two to four weeks, will uncover any genetic disorders, chromosomal abnormalities and neural tube defects.

Chorionic Villus Sampling

Chorionic villus sampling (CVS) is another prenatal test that can be used to determine a baby's gender. It is used to find genetic and chromosomal disorders in the developing fetus by sampling the chorionic villus cells located on the placenta. According to the American Pregnancy Association, a 1 percent chance of complications accompanies CVS testing and it is only done under a physician's recommendation when the benefits appear to outweigh the risks.

Source:

American Pregnancy Association: Prenatal Testing