Can the Dimensions of a Gestational Sac (34.18.17) Reveal the Gender of the Baby - Boy or Girl?
In our country, it is not permitted to check the gender of an unborn child. Many couples who wish to know the gender of their child resort to various methods, some of which are inaccurate. One common approach is to judge based on the size of the gestational sac, yet many families are unaware of the specific methodology involved. Consequently, once the size of the gestational sac is known, there is often a desire to discern the gender of the child. So, does a gestational sac size of 34.18.17 indicate a boy or a girl? Let's explore.
A rumor states that if the length of the gestational sac differs by more than double its width, the likelihood of a male baby is high. Conversely, if the length and width are equal or similar, it's more likely to be a female baby. However, doctors emphasize that this claim lacks scientific basis. The size of the gestational sac observed through ultrasound primarily reflects fetal development, particularly the normalcy of head development (e.g., ruling out malformations), rather than indicating gender. Additionally, gestational sac size can be used to estimate gestational age and predict the due date.
Ultrasound Examination: Currently, ultrasound is a relatively accurate method for gender determination. Although the gender can be discerned around the 18th week of pregnancy, the fetus may be facing away or have its legs crossed, obscuring the genital area. For reliable gender identification, the mother should be at least 19 weeks pregnant. Even the most experienced radiologists can only accurately determine the gender after the third trimester, with accuracy rates falling short of 100%, albeit offering the highest safety.
Interpreting Ultrasound Data for Gender: Ultrasound reports typically include measurements such as biparietal diameter (BPD), abdominal circumference, femur length, gestational sac size, and fetal heart rate. The report may also describe the placenta, amniotic fluid, umbilical cord, and fetal spine. Some folklore suggests predicting gender based on ultrasound data:
- Gestational Sac Shape: At 40-50 days of pregnancy, the shape of the gestational sac can be observed. An oval or round shape is thought to indicate a girl, while a long, elongated shape suggests a boy.
- BPD and Femur Length: The BPD measures the transverse diameter of the fetal head, while femur length is the length of the thigh bone. A traditional belief holds that a larger head compared to shorter legs indicates a boy (BPD - femur length), while a smaller difference suggests a girl.
Pregnancy brings about physical changes in women, such as abdominal expansion and the appearance of pregnancy lines. These changes, along with internal alterations, have led to speculations about gender prediction. Furthermore, 4D ultrasound, which provides real-time visualization of internal organ movements, can accurately determine fetal gender. However, to avoid revealing the gender, doctors may avoid imaging certain features and edit relevant sections during report preparation.
