Why Do Parents Prefer to Know the Fetal Sex as Part of Invasive Prenatal Testing?

Abstract

Objectives. The aim of this study was to determine whether prospective parents, primarily referred for prenatal diagnosis to exclude Down syndrome, prefer to know the fetal sex as part of invasive testing. Methods. In this prospective study 400 pregnant women undergoing amniocentesis were invited to answer a questionnaire, including information about demographic factors, current pregnancy, and previous children. In two open-ended questions they were asked why they wanted to know the fetal sex after amniocentesis or ultrasound investigation. Scores were given for reasons that could have played a role in the wish whether or not to know the sex of their unborn child. Results. A total of 210 (52.5%) questionnaires were completed. Overall, 69.0% was interested to know the fetal sex as part of the diagnostic test result. The most important reasons were curiosity (77.8%), “just want to know” (68.0%), and “because it is possible” (66.8%). The overall knowledge of sex chromosomal disorders appeared low and did not seem to affect the parent's wish to know the fetal sex. Almost all women (96.6%) planned to have a 20-week ultrasound scan and 96.2% thought the scan to be reliable in detecting the fetal sex. A minority (28%) was willing to learn the fetal sex by ultrasound examination, whereas 65% preferred to learn the fetal sex only after the amniocentesis. Conclusion. Personal values affect the parental desire to know or not to know the fetal sex. This does not appear to be affected by invasive prenatal testing and/or genetic knowledge of sex chromosomal disorders.

Determining fetal sex in pregnancy with reference to pregnant women behavior in late pregnancy

“…Using prenatal assessment of the amniotic cell culture karyotype obtained from amniocentesis or trophoblast cells obtained from the chorion we are able to define baby's sex perfectly. However, this method is invasive and is used only to confirm or to exclude suspected fetal abnormalities as the estimated risk of defects outruns the risk of possible complications [6,7]. We attain nearly 100% certainty by evaluating the cell-free fetal DNA taken from maternal circulation with the use of genome sequencing technique [8].…”

“…At the moment, the ultrasound is the most common method of determining fetal sex. [6,[10][11][12]. The USG can be used for determining the sex even through the screening examination recommended by PGA (Polskie Towarzystwo GinekologicznePolish Gynecological Association) between the 11 th and 13.6 week of pregnancy [12].…”

Why parents should not be told the sex of their fetus: Table 1

“…Common motivations for wanting to know fetal sex are for practical/planning purposes,31 32 for example, ‘[w]hen I know the sex of the baby I feel confident about baby shopping’, ‘[i]t is practical for decorating the baby's room’32 and even for planning a move or major home rearrangement 31 ii . Yet, all these motivations entail gender assumptions, which are not rooted in biology.…”

“…iiThe most popular reasons in Kooper et al's study were ‘just want to know’ and ‘because it is possible’, but these responses merely beg the question 32…”

Maternal Intuition of Fetal Gender

“…1 We have observed anecdotally that the vast majority of pregnant women presenting to our obstetrics clinic for second-trimester ultrasound screening request gender identification. At these visits, many mothers-to-be say they can perceive or "feel" the gender of the unborn baby.…”