Baking Soda Gender Test – How Accurate Is It?

When you find out that you are pregnant, especially if you were actively trying to conceive, it is a wondrous moment of joy. It invites celebrations and plenty of curiosity! A big question is now raised about the gender of the baby. An ultrasound at 18 to 20 weeks of pregnancy (second trimester) can reveal the gender of your baby. Some parents may find the wait an ordeal and want to find out the sex of the baby before the ultrasound during the second trimester.

There are several conventional methods and old-fashioned beliefs to reveal the sex of your child. You can try a few science experiments at home! One such test is the baking soda gender reveal test. It requires nothing more than a sample of urine, a container, and baking soda.

This test is DIY, easy, and cost-effective – but does the baking soda gender test really work? Parents must not depend on the outcomes of this test, as it is mostly for fun and not entirely accurate. There are other, more decisive ways for parents to ascertain the sex of their unborn child.

Those who vouch for the test go by the fact that the sex of the baby brings about a lot of hormonal changes to the pregnant woman’s body. This causes some changes to the acid content in the urine.

What Is Baking Soda Gender Test?

Baking soda gender prediction test is a method adopted at home, whereby a pregnant woman’s urine is combined with baking soda, and the result is observed for bubbles, fizzles, or froth. If the urine bubbles when mixing, then it determines the sex of the baby.

Baking soda acts in response to acid, causing it to sizzle and bubble. Those who stand by the test say that the pH level of a pregnant woman’s urine changes depending on the sex of the unborn child. However, there is no research or evidence to support this. But, there are several other factors which determine the acidic level of a woman’s urine, such as diet and hydration.

How to Perform This Test

The baking soda pee test can be done at home with supplies you own. All you need is two separate containers – one for the baking soda, and the other for collecting your urine. The test instructions are very simple to follow.  A pregnant woman wanting to try the test must collect her first urine of the day in a clean container. It is important to use the first urine, because if you wait, subsequent urine tends to get diluted with the consumption of fluids. Observe good hygiene while collection of urine, and hands must be thoroughly washed before and after collecting the urine.

Collect your urine by squatting over the toilet seat and holding the container under you. The baking soda is added as the next step to see if it fizzes or remains still. You may need equal amounts of urine and baking soda.

What Do the Results Show?

When the baking soda is added to the urine, there will be a reaction of some sort. The mixture will either remain the same or will fizzle. If there is a reaction, then you are likely to have a baby boy. If the urine stays the same, then it suggests you are supposedly having a baby girl.

Baking Soda Gender Test Accuracy

Only the first urine of the day must be collected and used as a sample, or else the results could be skewed. Baking soda is sodium bicarbonate, and is alkaline in nature. It is reactive with most acids. Fizzing is a natural chemical reaction between the acid in the urine and the soda base.

Eating certain foods, and facing dehydration are some causes that make the urine more acidic. If a pregnant woman has had an episode of morning sickness or vomiting then her urine is likely to be more acidic. Also, urinary tract infections tend to create more acidic content in the urine. Eating more of vegetarian food, plant-based foods, or antacids could lower the acidic levels.

The pH level of the urine in a pregnant woman is dependent on so many variables that she can get varied results on different days. She can take the test every day, and the results could differ every single day. So, how accurate is the baking soda gender test? Well, only 50% of the time is the test result accurate, the same probability as flipping a coin. And, this statistic is based on the fact that you can only have one of two choices (boy or girl). Thus, by virtue of this fact, the accuracy is 50-50.

Can the Results Vary?

As mentioned earlier, the results of the test are only 50% accurate. The results of the gender test using baking soda may vary, and it depends on the following:

• Your diet on the previous day. What you have eaten or drunk will have an impact on the pH level of the urine.
• The day you take the test. If you wake up on a day when you have a bad bout of morning sickness or nausea, the likelihood of highly acidic urine is greater.
• The pH level in your urine, which varies and does not remain the same.

None of the above factors has any bearing on the sex of the baby.

Alternatives of Baking Soda Pregnancy Gender Test

If you’re eager to discover whether you’re expecting a boy or girl before the big day, there are several methods to determine your baby’s gender during pregnancy other than the baking soda test for pregnancy gender determination. Here are some advanced and reliable testing options:

1. Second-Trimester Ultrasound

The routine second-trimester ultrasound, typically scheduled between 18 and 20 weeks, is when your doctor can usually determine your baby’s gender using a sonogram. If you’re expecting a girl, her uterus will be fully formed, and the vaginal canal will begin to develop. If it’s a boy, the testicles typically start their descent around this time.

2. Chorionic Villus Sampling (CVS) and Amniocentesis

Chorionic villus sampling (CVS) and amniocentesis are diagnostic procedures that examine a baby’s genetic composition and screen for chromosomal issues. CVS is usually performed between weeks 10 and 13 of pregnancy, while amniocentesis is typically conducted between weeks 16 and 18, although timing can vary. These tests are generally suggested for pregnancies considered high-risk due to their invasive nature. They are not intended for those who are simply curious about their baby’s gender. However, if your healthcare provider recommends either test and you’re keen to know if you’re having a boy or girl, these methods can provide 100% accurate results.

3. Noninvasive Prenatal Testing (NIPT)

Starting as early as nine weeks into your pregnancy, you can find out your baby’s gender through a straightforward blood test known as noninvasive prenatal testing (NIPT). Research indicates that it boasts over 99% accuracy in predicting gender and also assesses the risk of chromosomal abnormalities, including trisomy 21 (Down syndrome), trisomy 18 (Edwards syndrome), and trisomy 13 (Patau syndrome). This test is typically recommended for mothers whose age or family history suggests a potential risk of birth defects. NIPT is non-invasive, posing no risk to you or your baby. If you’re interested in NIPT to check for chromosomal abnormalities and learn your baby’s gender, consult your doctor.

FAQs

1. Can the baking soda gender test be affected by the timing of the test during pregnancy?

Yes, the timing of the baking soda gender test can influence the results. Some people believe that testing too early in the pregnancy may not yield accurate results, as hormonal levels fluctuate during early gestation. It’s often suggested to wait until around the second trimester for more consistent results.

2. Is the baking soda gender test reliable for multiple pregnancies, such as twins?

The baking soda gender test is not considered reliable for multiple pregnancies, such as twins. The method is based on urine acidity, which may vary due to multiple hormonal influences in the body. As a result, it may not accurately reflect the genders of each baby in a multiple pregnancy.

This was all about the gender prediction using baking soda. There is no formal research that supports the accuracy of the baking soda gender reveal test, but it is a fun indulgence. You can always try this before you go for the ultrasound during your second trimester. Once the sex is confirmed at the ultrasound scan, you can go around picking the pink and blue accents for your nursery room!

 References/Resources:

1. Amniocentesis; Mayo Clinic; https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/amniocentesis/about/pac-20392914

2. Ultrasound and Fetal Monitoring; OHSU Center for Women’s Health; https://www.ohsu.edu/womens-health/ultrasound-and-fetal-monitoring

3. Chorionic villus sampling; Mayo Clinic; https://www.mayoclinic.org/chorionic-villus-sampling/img-20008547

4. Igbinedion. B, Akhigbe. T; The accuracy of 2D ultrasound prenatal sex determination (Nigerian Medical Journal); National Library of Medicine; https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3530251/

5. Amniocentesis; NHS; https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/Amniocentesis/

6. NIPT Test; Cleveland Clinic; https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diagnostics/21050-nipt-test

7. Ultrasound in Pregnancy; Cleveland Clinic; https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diagnostics/9704-ultrasound-in-pregnancy

Also Read:

Sugar Pregnancy Test
Pre-Birth Sex Determination
Chinese Baby Gender Predictor
Ring Gender Test in Pregnancy
Old Wives Tales About Gender Prediction and Pregnancy
Pressure of Determining the Sex of Your Unborn Child

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