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.

The test we use has been validated in a UK laboratory, so your sample does not get sent overseas. You will receive your results by email either the same day or within 2 working days of it arriving in the lab. You sample will be sent to the lab on the same day and you will be given a tracking number.

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.

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 performed when mum is at least 6 weeks pregnant by scan. Otherwise it is better to wait to at least 7 weeks. Please note, it is a fact that mum’s weight can affect how much foetal DNA is in her blood. We recommend 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.

This is a non-invasive prenatal test (NIPT) blood test, and it’s safe for both mum and baby.

It won’t affect the Gender Reveal test results. Clinical studies have shown that fetal DNA clears from mum’s bloodstream between a few hours to 2 days after birth.

In the case of identical twins, if male DNA is found, then both babies are boys. If no male DNA is found, then both babies are girls. For fraternal twins (or more!), finding male DNA will confirm at least one baby is a boy, but cannot distinguish if the second baby is a boy or girl

The test is DNA-based, so hormones do not impact results.

The looks only for the presence of Y chromosomes and is extremely sensitive and accurate. No blood thinners or other drugs are known to impact gender results.

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.