Gender Reveal Test – From 6 Weeks Pregnant

When will my results be ready?

As the Forensic Genomics Innovation Hub has validated the test in our UK laboratory your sample does not get sent overseas and you will receive your results by email either the same day or within 2 working days of it arriving in the lab.

What kind of sample do you need?

We only need a blood sample from mum. Foetal DNA cells are found to be circulating in mum’s blood from as early as 6 weeks of pregnancy and between 6-8 weeks is there usually foetal DNA present to identify the baby’s sex. As the amount of foetal DNA in mum’s blood increases as the pregnancy continues testing from 8 weeks is more advisable.

How does the Gender Reveal test process work?

1. Order and pay £99 for the Gender Reveal test.
2. We will then post the kit, containing everything needed for the sample to be taken and sent back to our laboratory, to the shipping address provided in the order. The sampling kit will be sent First Class Signed for via Royal Mail.
3. Upon receipt of the sampling book an appointment with your chosen phlebotomy provider. The cost for this service is additional and must be paid to the provider directly.
4. Take the sampling kit to the appointment.
5. Once the blood has been taken the tube is put into a protective pouch by the phlebotomist and back into the box it was delivered in with the completed and signed form included in the kit.
6. The box must be posted back to the laboratory IMMEDIATELY after the appointment.
7. Results will be emailed on the same day the test arrives in the laboratory, if received before 10am. Samples received after 10am will be resulted the next working day.

How does the test work?

Unlike most of our DNA, found inside a cell’s nucleus, when a woman is pregnant tiny pieces of the DNA from her developing baby are present in her bloodstream. These fragments are free in the circulation and called cell-free DNA (cfDNA). Our sex chromosomes determine whether we are male or female. Females have 2 X-chromosomes (XX) and males have an X-chromosome and a Y-chromosome (XY). As a woman has only female sex chromosomes in her blood if we analyse the blood of a pregnant woman and find a Y-chromosome then we can assume the baby she is carrying is a male. The test cannot, however, identify a possible sex chromosome abnormality. Sex chromosome abnormalities are very uncommon, but could affect the result.

Does the test work if I am expecting twins?

1. If both babies are female, no male DNA will be found, and we can assume that both babies are girls.
2. If male DNA is found in mum’s blood then either one twin is a boy, or both are. It will NOT be able to tell the difference between a girl and boy, and two boys.

How accurate is the test?

The presence of the Y-chromosome in the mothers blood can be detected at extremely low levels but no molecular test will ever be 100% accurate. There are a few rare circumstances where the test will not work. They include: placental mosaicism, a sex chromosome abnormality, a bone marrow or organ transplant by a male donor, or testing too early in pregnancy. It is essential we know the date of when mum’s last menstrual period started. To make sure there is enough foetal DNA in the sample the test should ideally only be ordered when mum is at least 6 weeks pregnant.

Please note, it is a fact that mum’s weight can affect how much foetal DNA is in her blood. Mum’s over 85kg should only do the test after 10 weeks pregnant, as there is a slightly higher chance that there will not be enough male DNA in her blood to be detected between 6 – 10 weeks.

How early in pregnancy can the Gender Reveal test be done?

Ideally ten weeks from the date of your last menstrual period. It can be done from as early as 6 weeks when giving a full tube of blood from mum’s arm but we recommend only doing the test from 10 weeks as there are other factors, other than how many weeks pregnant which can affect the amount of baby DNA in the blood. If there is insufficient baby DNA in the blood there is a chance the test will not detect the Y-chromosome and the result could be wrong.

Can I order my Gender Reveal Test before I am 6 weeks pregnant?

Yes, you can order it and keep it until you are at least 6 weeks, but not schedule your phlebotomy appointment prior to 6-8 weeks.

How much does the Gender Reveal Test cost?

£99.00. The phlebotomy fee is additional and paid directly to the provider of this service. The sample is then sent back to the lab in postage prepaid box, included in the £99.

Is there any risk for mum or baby?

Not at all. It is completely safe for both. The test only requires a single blood tube from the mum’s arm, no different to going for a routine first or second trimester blood test.

What if the ultrasound shows something different?

In this situation the only way to really know the baby’s gender is waiting until birth. There are two reasons why they may differ;

1. the ultrasound relies on looking for a penis or a vulva, alongside other subtle changes. These can be highly dependent on the position of the baby at the time of the scan. Whilst scans have improved over the years they are still much more subjective than DNA.
2. The DNA test result is incorrect as not enough DNA of the baby was present in mum’s blood at the time the blood was taken. See “how accurate is the test” for more information.

Can I do the test if I am still breastfeeding?

Yes! Breastfeeding does not affect the test results. The Gender Reveal test looks for male chromosomes in mum’s blood. Breastfeeding is a hormonal change, which has no impact on genetics, and therefore it has no impact on the Gender Reveal test accuracy or results.

What if I had a boy in a recent previous pregnancy or miscarriage, will that affect the result?

It won’t affect the Gender Reveal test results. Foetal DNA is eliminated from mum’s blood stream within a few hours after birth and disappears completely after 2 days.

Can the Gender Reveal test be used as a pregnancy test?

Gender Reveal cannot confirm a pregnancy. The test is only looking for male DNA in the blood. You must confirm your pregnancy with a doctor before doing the Gender Reveal test. It is essential to know dates of mum’s last period before doing the test.

Does Gender Reveal Test replace an ultrasound?

No, ultrasounds are essential to monitor a babies development during the pregnancy.

If you have any other questions then please contact us by email lab@fgih.co.uk or phone the lab on 02380 118980 between 8.30am and 4.30pm.