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The prenatal DNA test allows you to find out from the start of pregnancy whether your baby is a boy or a girl..
This is a so-called non-invasive test and it only requires a simple blood test for the mother.
What is a baby sex test?
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The prenatal DNA test to know the sex of your baby is a detection of Y chromosome present in the blood of the mother.
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Remember that the Y chromosomes are genes transmitted only from father to son on an entirely male line.
A daughter only receives X chromosome genes from these two parents. The mother, by nature, does not have Y chromosomes in her DNA.
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So if the laboratory:
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Detects the presence of Y chromosome in the blood: the fetus is a boy
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Does not detect the presence of chromosome Y in the blood: the fetus is a girl
How does the test work during pregnancy?
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The test to find out the sex of the baby is a very precise analysis which requires great rigor in respecting the sampling instructions.
So, to ensure an optimal and fast result, please follow these precautions:
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The blood test must be carried out exclusively by a woman
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No male person should handle the blood tubes (before and after sampling)
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Take blood test on an empty stomach
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Be at the right time of your pregnancy
The conditions concerning the samples for this test make it possible to avoid the risks linked to the nature of the analysis.
Like a contamination by a man, of the Y chromosome of your samples. This can completely distort the results.
In addition, taking a blood test before the period indicated, you risk not having enough fetal DNA present in sufficient quantities in the blood, so that the laboratory can make the detection.
Taking this risk may give you a false result.
Because of the non-detection of the Y chromosome due to too low a presence rate will lead to the determination that the fetus is a girl when it is possible that it is a boy.
What are the sampling precautions?
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Sample types are exclusively:
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Blood sample for the mother
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You cannot use other samples for this test.
What type of sample is used for the prenatal test?
DNA Test Participants
The non-invasive test can only be performed during pregnancy and poses no risk to either the baby or the mother, as it requires only a simple blood sample.
The test can be done starting from the 10th week of amenorrhea. To calculate weeks of amenorrhea, count from the first day of the last menstrual period.
The test cannot be performed in the following cases:
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Twin or multiple pregnancies
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If the mother has cancer or preeclampsia
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If the mother has undergone a blood transfusion, bone marrow transplant, organ transplant, or stem cell treatment
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If the fetus has a structural anomaly
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You must be at minimum 10 weeks of amenorrhea (8 weeks of pregnancy) for the blood test.
The longer you wait, the more likely you are to have enough of the baby's DNA in your blood to test.
Check with a healthcare professional about your weeks of pregnancy.
It happens in some mothers that the DNA of the fetus is not in sufficient quantity, even if you take the blood sample from the indicated time.
This cannot be predicted and remember that genetics is a science that depends on each person's genes.
If this happens to you, the laboratory will ask you to provide a new blood sample. Additional charges may apply.
When can we take the test?
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You must arrange an appointment with a healthcare professional to have the blood drawn. It can be your doctor, a laboratory or a private nurse.
This appointment is your responsibility and the laboratory will not provide you with any prescription for this procedure.
Don't worry, it is always possible to find a professional who will understand your situation in order to help you with the blood test.
Before ordering, plan the blood test!
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The analysis of the prenatal test can only be carried out within 10 days from the blood test. You must therefore ensure that the blood samples are sent on the same day as the blood test.
The receipt of the kit and the sending of your samples are often included in the purchase of the test.
They are usually carried out by a courier and take on average a few days to arrive at their destination.
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- The deadline for receiving a kit is a few days, by international courier.
You have a tracking number and the reception must be done by a person.
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- In order to return your samples, you must contact the laboratory a few days before the blood test to arrange collection.
It usually takes 3-4 days to get to the lab and you will get a new tracking number.
How to send samples quickly?
Preparation for the non-invasive test
Before ordering a prenatal baby gender test, it is advisable to carefully organize yourself in order to have peace of mind and above all not to waste time.
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5 to 8 days(after receipt of your samples)
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You have the possibility to choose an option in order to receive your results more quickly.
This time is calculated from the moment your samples arrive at the laboratory. Transport time is not taken into account.
What are the delays for a pregnant DNA test?
It is difficult to predict if the sample that has been taken contains enough DNA from the fetus to do the DNA test.
Even if the laboratory recommendations indicate a possible sampling from the 8th week of pregnancy, it is an average based on a group of participants and cannot reflect the reality of each one.
Every pregnancy is unique and just because your samples didn't provide enough information about the baby doesn't mean there's a problem with your pregnancy..
On the other hand, if you experience a complicated or stressful pregnancy, this can indeed influence your relationship with the baby and reduce the exchange of genetic information that can be detected in your blood.
If your samples are not sufficient, the laboratory will ask you to take another blood sample, two weeks after the first one; charges may apply.
Why did my samples not work?
The reliability of the prenatal DNA test depends on several factors:
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The date of the blood sample collection
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The quality of the samples
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The laboratory’s accreditation
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The mother’s health and the course of the pregnancy
The accuracy of the results depends on the amount of DNA the laboratory can use to detect the Y chromosome.
Studies have shown that, in the vast majority of pregnancies, it becomes possible to collect sufficient genetic information from the baby in the mother’s blood starting from the 10th week of amenorrhea.
Accredited laboratories meet requirements related to the analysis process, resource and equipment management, impartiality, and confidentiality of information.
For a DNA test, the laboratory must have ISO 17025 accreditation.
How reliable are the results?
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The results are presented in the form of a simple table showing the confirmation of the sex.
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If the result is positive, the Y chromosome was found, confirming that the fetus is a boy
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If the result is negative, the Y chromosome was not found, confirming that the fetus is a girl
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The reliability of this test is 98% accurate if all sampling precautions have been respected.
How to read the results of the genetic analysis?
How quickly can I get my kit and is delivery included in the price?
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All shipping costs are included in the price of the kit. The kit is sent to you by express shipment of up to 4 days and includes the documents for the transport to return your sample to the laboratory.
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Is the test to find out the gender of the baby dangerous for my pregnancy?
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This prenatal test is absolutely safe for mother and baby, as it is non-invasive. All that is needed for the test is a small blood sample from the mother.
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At what stage of pregnancy can the test be performed?
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DNA-based gender detection can be performed as early as the 8th week of pregnancy with 98% accuracy. Please use an eligibility calculator to see when you can test. The test is not validated before this date.
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Can this test be performed during a pregnancy with twins ?
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This test has not been validated for multifetal pregnancies. If you are expecting twins or other multiples, we suggest relying on ultrasound and 4D ultrasound to determine the gender of your baby.
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I'm not 8 weeks yet. Can I buy the kit now and use it later?
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Yes you can! Just be sure to leave the tubes in the box and only take them out in the presence of the female collector. No man should have been in contact with the tubes before and after the samples.
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Can a previous pregnancy disturb the analysis?
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Yes, it is possible for the lab to detect the Y chromosome from a recently born boy. The closer your pregnancies are, the greater the risk that the results will be biased by the DNA of the previous baby. We do not recommend doing this test if you are in this situation, even if a previous pregnancy concerning the birth of a girl will have less influence on the detection of the Y chromosome.
Frequently Asked Questions
The DNA laboratory must be Accredited
To be sure of the quality of the results, it is important to ensure that the laboratory performing the DNA test is accredited and recognized for its expertise.
Verification reliability is controlled by international ISO standards, which regularly ensure that analytical methods, staff training and equipment comply with strict criteria.
To give you further proof of the laboratory's reliability, the laboratory can provide you with its most recent accreditation certificate upon request.
DNA test in Canada
In Canada, DNA testing is commonly used for paternity, genealogy and migration issues.
It is important to choose an accredited laboratory to obtain reliable results.
International ISO bodies regularly check the quality of analysis methods, staff training and laboratory equipment.
The results can be obtained in a few weeks and the genetic data can be protected by confidentiality measures.
DNA testing is an effective way to find answers to complex questions about family ties.
