We live in a world where there’s a scientific explanation for pretty much everything, but at the same time there’s no denying the mystery and majesty of pregnancy. You can read about the creation of life as all you like, but it’s not until you’re actually going through the process that you realize there are indeed some things in life that go beyond explanation. Of course, you’ll be offered the chance to find out all manner of specifics prior to your baby’s birth, including whether you’ll be having a boy or a girl.

When Can You Tell the Sex of Your Baby?

Determining the gender of an unborn baby is as "simple" as taking a look at the genitals and identifying in which direction the fetus is developing. Of course, doing so isn’t nearly as simple as it sounds when dealing with a human being no bigger than a small piece of fruit! This is precisely why it’s not uncommon to be told you’re expecting a baby boy but only to give birth to a girl, and vice-versa. The doctor you see will have his or her specific approach when it comes to determining the sex of your baby, which usually demands an ultrasound scan.

The most common scan performed is a Level 1 ultrasound scan, which is carried out anywhere from 15 to 25 weeks of the pregnancy. It is at this time that most women find out the sex of their baby.

In rare instances or when doctors suspect there may be a problem, a Level 3 ultrasound may be carried out as early as 12 weeks and could also identify the baby’s gender.

It’s also worth noting that if your baby decides to take up an uncooperative position in the womb, even an ultrasound won’t be able to penetrate deep enough to identify his or her gender. Such scans are by far the most common and accurate methods of identifying a baby’s gender prior to birth, though cannot be considered a 100% accurate method in any circumstances.

In terms of accuracy, many factors come into play with regard to the result you’ll be given. For example, the accuracy of the test will be affected by the amount of experience the technician has, the nature of the equipment being used, the age of the baby and more.

Want to have a closer look at how ultrasound scans are used to identify the gender of an unborn baby? Check the video out:

Are There Any Other Reliable Methods to Find out the Sex of Your Baby?

1. Amniocentesis

One of the most reliable alternative methods for detecting the gender of the baby is to examine its chromosomes. This involves taking a sample of the amniotic fluid from the uterus and has a very high rate of accuracy. This procedure is usually only carried out on pregnant women over the age of 35, and it can also be a risky process. Therefore, it is extremely unlikely that a doctor will allow amniocentesis to be carried out just for the purpose of checking your baby’s gender.

2. Chorionic Villus Sampling (CVS)

Another method by which doctors can determine the sex of an unborn baby is by CVS, or chorionic villus sampling. This involves the extraction and examination of actual cells from the fetus, which provides a great deal of information including sex. Once again though, the procedure comes with certain risks attached and is generally performed only to identify more serious issues like cystic fibrosis or Down’s syndrome.

Can You Really Tell the Sex of Your Baby by Sex Prediction Myths?

You’ll have heard every theory in the book by the time you’re halfway through your pregnancy. From the cravings you experience to the hair color you choose and even the way you walk, everyone will have their own ideas and opinions on which signs point to which genders.

The trouble is that buying into rumors will always lead you down to the wrong path and put you in a vulnerable position. It’s crucial to know how to draw lines between myths and reality, which means that if you’re told anything by anyone who doesn’t happen to be a certified expert, check it out before digesting it.

Pregnancy Myths	Description	Fact
Belly position	Low-hanging bellies mean it’s a boy, higher bellies mean you’re having a girl	The gender of your baby has nothing to do with how your belly hangs; it’s all about unique muscle structure and body shape.
Heart rate	It’s a girl if the baby’s heart rate is over 140 beats per minute.	The heart of a female baby can indeed beat faster than that of a male, but this doesn’t mean a faster rate always indicates a girl.
Swinging ring	When a wedding ring is suspended from a hair over your belly, the way it swings or circles tells you the sex of the baby.	This is complete and total nonsense with zero evidence or scientific backing. Again, you get a 50/50 chance of it being right.
Desire for sweets	The desire to eat an unusually large amount of candies and sweet food while pregnant indicates a boy.	Cravings vary so much from person to person that not a single thing you eat or want to eat has any bearing on the gender of the child, nor does it reveal sex.
Severity of morning sickness	Girls cause pregnant women to have much longer morning sickness than boys.	Some studies have linked longer spells of morning sickness with baby girls, but not to such an extent that it can be considered an accurate measure.
The Drano test	Add Drano to urine and see what color it turns-green means a boy and other colors mean you’re having a girl.	There’s no evidence at all to support this theory and the fact is that Drano is pretty dangerous, meaning one should not bother trying it out at all.
Chinese lunar calendar	It’s said that Chinese Lunar Calendar can predict the sex of a child in accordance with when it was conceived.	Pick any day of the year and you’ve a 50/50 chance of predicting the child’s sex in advance–no calendar has the power to beat these odds.