Nine Moons
Home › Articles › Second trimester
Second trimester

Boy or girl? When you can find out, and which signs are myths

By Nine Moons EditorialMedically reviewed by Professor Dr FarhatUpdated 10 Oct 20265 min read
Quick answer

The anomaly scan at 18 to 21 weeks can often show your baby's sex, if your hospital and local law allow it to be shared. A NIPT blood test can show it from about 10 weeks where offered. Signs like bump shape, cravings, heart rate and the Chinese calendar are no better than a coin toss. In India, telling parents the baby's sex is illegal under the PCPNDT Act.

Key facts

NIPT blood testFrom about 10 weeks, where allowed
12-week scanUsually too early to be sure
Anomaly scan18 to 21 weeks, usually reliable
Folk methodsAbout 50% right, like a coin toss
IndiaSex determination banned (PCPNDT Act, 1994)

When can you find out?

wk 0wk 6wk 12wk 18wk 24Anomaly scan18–21 wks: often visibleNIPT blood testfrom about 10 wks12-week scan: usually too early
When the sex can be seen. Only where hospital policy and local law allow. In India, telling parents the baby's sex is illegal.

Medical methods

  • Anomaly scan: the sonographer may see the genitals if your baby's position allows. If you'd rather not know, say so at the start.
  • NIPT: a blood test mainly used to screen for chromosome conditions. Where allowed, it can also report the sex.
  • CVS and amniocentesis: only done for medical reasons, never just to find out the sex.

Myths vs facts

MythFact
Carrying high means a girl, low means a boyBump shape depends on your muscles, body shape and baby's position
Heart rate over 140 means a girlStudies show no real difference between boys and girls
Craving sweets means a girl, salty means a boyCravings aren't linked to the baby's sex
The Chinese gender chartTested in studies: about 50% accurate
The ring or baking soda testNo scientific basis
Severe sickness means a girlSlightly more common with girls, but useless for predicting

Laws and ethics

In India, the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PCPNDT) Act makes it illegal for anyone to tell parents the sex of their baby, to protect against sex-selective abortion. Some hospitals elsewhere also choose not to share it. Every baby is a blessing, boy or girl.

Choosing a name

Whether you find out or wait, browse names with meanings in Arabic, Urdu, Hindi, Bengali, Turkish and English with our name finder.

Frequently asked questions

Can the scan be wrong?
Rarely at 20 weeks, usually when the baby's position makes it hard to see.
Are home blood test kits accurate?
Reliability varies between brands, and they're illegal in some countries.
Can I find out at the 12-week scan?
Some sonographers guess, but it's often wrong this early.

Sources

  • Government of India: PCPNDT Act, 1994
  • ACOG: Cell-free DNA screening
  • McKenna DS et al. Gender-related differences in fetal heart rate. Obstet Gynecol 2006

General information, not medical advice. Medical disclaimer · How we review content

Keep reading

Health · 7 min

Pregnancy scans explained: dating, NT and anomaly scans

Every pregnancy ultrasound explained: when each scan happens, what it checks, how to prepare, screening tests like NIPT, and whether scans are safe.

Second trimester · 7 min

Second trimester guide: weeks 14 to 27

What happens in the second trimester: your baby's growth, your bump, first kicks, the anomaly scan, the glucose test, common symptoms and what to plan.

For partners · 7 min

For husbands and partners: what to do in each trimester

A practical guide for dads and partners: how to support her through each trimester, which appointments to attend, and how to be ready for labour.