
How to Know Baby Gender: What Decides It at Conception?
Did you know your baby's gender is decided the moment they are conceived? Yes, you read it right. The genes play a critical role in determining the sex of the foetus. Read on to find out how nature decides whether you will have a boy or a girl—all in simple terms.
Did you know your baby's gender is decided the moment they are conceived? Yes, you read it right. The genes play a critical role in determining the sex of the foetus. Read on to find out how nature decides whether you will have a boy or a girl—all in simple terms.
The gender of a foetus is determined by the sex genes from the mother’s and father’s sides. The sperm and egg, with their own set of genetic instructions in chromosomes, meet and fuse during fertilisation. The egg always carries an X chromosome. The sperm can bring either an X or a Y chromosome. Thus, two conditions are possible after the sperm fuses with the egg.
• If the sperm brings an X chromosome to the mix, the baby will be a girl (XX).
• If the sperm brings a Y chromosome, the baby will be a boy (XY).
So, it’s the sperm that decides the baby’s gender, though, of course, nature doesn’t play favourites—it’s a random process. From the moment the sperm meets the egg, your baby’s gender is sealed and doesn’t change as they grow.
If you are wondering how to know the gender of the baby before delivery, it is possible through ultrasound scanning. However, it’s important to understand that sex determination before birth is illegal in India and is a punishable offense. Every baby—boy or girl—is a unique little miracle.
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