Your little bundle of joy is growing, and yes, that includes those tiny little genitals.
During the first trimester, your baby’s genital bud will begin to form.
Though it might sound like something out of a sci-fi movie, this is an essential phase in sexual differentiation.
Up until this point, the genitals are non-specific.
That means whether you’re having a little girl or a little boy, things start out pretty much the same. How fascinating is that?
Week 7-8: The genital bud becomes visible.
Week 9: The urogenital sinus appears, which will later separate into the bladder and the urethra.
Week 11-12: The bud begins to evolve into a penis or a clitoris.
The Role of Hormones: Masters of the Transformation
You've heard about the role of hormones during pregnancy, but did you know they're also puppeteers for your baby's genital formation?
Yep, hormones like testosterone and estrogen play the leading roles.
For baby boys, the hormone surge usually occurs around the eighth week and activates the transformation of the genital bud into a penis and scrotum.
For baby girls, the absence of this particular hormone activity leads the bud to form a clitoris and labia.
Chromosomes: The XX or XY pair that determines the biological sex of your baby.
Testosterone: Activates the formation of male genitalia.
Estrogen: Though not as directly influential as testosterone, estrogen is important for the development of female genitalia.
Anti-Müllerian Hormone (AMH): In males, this hormone helps in the regression of the Müllerian ducts.
Detecting Genital Development Through Ultrasound
Your first glance of your baby’s genitals usually comes from an ultrasound around 18 to 20 weeks.
Although some parents prefer the surprise, many opt to find out the sex during the anatomy scan.
But remember, ultrasounds are not 100% accurate; factors like the baby's position can sometimes make it tricky.
Also, detecting genital differences earlier than 18 weeks can be challenging, so patience…
Week 18-20: The anatomy scan is usually done, offering a clearer view of the genitals.
Position: The baby’s position can affect the accuracy of determining the sex.
Skilled Sonographers: The experience of the healthcare professional performing the ultrasound matters.
When Things Don’t Go As Textbook: Intersex Variations
Nature doesn’t always stick to the script.
Sometimes, babies are born with intersex variations.
These variations can manifest in numerous ways, such as ambiguous genitalia, a blend of both male and female traits, or even hidden differences that aren't apparent until later in life.
The key point is that these variations are just another facet of human diversity.
Ambiguous Genitalia: When it's challenging to categorize the baby’s genitals as strictly male or female.
Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome (AIS): A condition in which a person is insensitive to male hormones, resulting in a range of genital variations.
Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia (CAH): This condition can affect both boys and girls, leading to varying degrees of genital ambiguity.
Remember, the formation of your baby’s genitals is a miraculous process, guided by a symphony of hormones, genes, and a sprinkle of mystery.
I’m almost 16 weeks and my doctors are telling me I can’t find out the gender untill I’m almost 20 weeks but my baby already grow it’s genitals can I just tell them other wise or they just tell me no
You can get a blood test for sure, and some private ultrasound places are able to tell you. As far as my doctor went, they didn't say anything until my 20 week ultrasound.
27 Mar 2024
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Alexis
Okay they said I can get the 3d ultrasound but they won’t answer me on the gender part they said they don’t do it untill 20weeks and I need to know before that 😂❤️
27 Mar 2024
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Blocked user
5 Aug 2023
I will not be letting the doctors take off any part of my baby's genitals. Boy or girl. Ill protect them the same. Straight up
I remember when I told them no about my son they were so mad lol
27 Mar 2024
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🍹Jenni
21 Feb 2023
Want to know something mind-boggling 🤯?!! If you are having a girl 👧🏾, the vagina, uterus, and fallopian tubes are all in place and the ovaries contain more than 6 million primitive egg 🥚 cells. Buuuut, once she is born, that number will have dropped to about 1 million. Totally normal🤗! If it’s a boy👦🏽, the testicles have formed and are secreting testosterone and the external genitals are continuing to grow 💪🏼. Amaze-balls 🤪!
yes these are fact amazing what we do carrying our babies isnt it
27 Mar 2024
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🍹Jenni
Yes it is amazing!! 🤩
27 Mar 2024
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Mary
25 Jan 2023
Had our first prenatal appointment today these are my baby's legs but I am not sure if that's their genitals or umbilical cord in between. What y'all think 🤔? #possibleunexpectedgenderreveal
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