A gender test during pregnancy uses various methods to determine the sex of the baby. The specific test referenced below is the SneakPeek test.
SneakPeek Test: Analyzing Fetal DNA in Maternal Blood
The SneakPeek test examines a pregnant woman's blood sample for the presence of male chromosomes (specifically, Y chromosomes). Here's a breakdown:
- How It Works:
- A small sample of the mother's blood is analyzed.
- The test looks for Y chromosomes.
- If Y chromosomes are present: This indicates the baby is male, because women have only XX chromosomes, and a Y chromosome comes from the father.
- If no Y chromosomes are found: This suggests the baby is female since only the mother's XX chromosomes would be detected.
- Accuracy:
- SneakPeek claims a 99.9% accuracy rate at 6 weeks into the pregnancy.
How it compares to other gender tests
While SneakPeek uses a blood test to look for Y chromosomes, other common tests are often used such as ultrasound.
Ultrasound
An ultrasound can be performed between 18-22 weeks of gestation to determine a baby's sex through visualization of their genitalia.
Amniocentesis and Chorionic Villus Sampling (CVS)
These tests are invasive tests typically done for genetic testing, but can also determine a baby's sex, they are not primarily performed for sex determination.
| Test | Methodology | Accuracy | When Performed |
|---|---|---|---|
| SneakPeek | Blood test looking for Y chromosome | 99.9% at 6 weeks | 6+ weeks |
| Ultrasound | Visual exam of genitalia | 95% + | 18-22 weeks |
| Amniocentesis | Invasive test, looks at cells from amniotic fluid | 99% + | 15-20 weeks |
| CVS | Invasive test, looks at cells from placenta | 99% + | 10-13 weeks |
Key takeaways
- The primary test, SneakPeek, analyzes maternal blood for Y chromosomes to identify the baby's sex, but other methods exist, such as ultrasound.
- SneakPeek is non-invasive and highly accurate if done at six weeks into the pregnancy or later.
- Other tests such as amniocentesis and CVS are more invasive and are typically for genetic testing, not primarily gender determination.
