Early Gender Blood Test from 6 Weeks in Solihull & Birmingham
Find out if you are having a boy or girl from just 6 weeks with a simple blood test. Over 99% accurate using cell-free fetal DNA analysis — no ultrasound required.
Results emailed in 3-5 working days. A quick blood draw from your arm — the earliest and most accurate way to discover your baby's gender.
How the Early Gender Blood Test Works
From as early as 6 weeks, fragments of your baby's DNA circulate freely in your bloodstream. Our gender blood test analyses this cell-free fetal DNA (cffDNA) to determine sex with over 99% accuracy.
Cell-Free Fetal DNA
From around 5-6 weeks, your baby releases tiny fragments of DNA into your bloodstream through the placenta. These cell-free fetal DNA fragments can be isolated and analysed from a standard blood sample taken from your arm.
Y-Chromosome Detection
The laboratory searches for the presence of Y-chromosome markers in your blood sample. Since mothers only carry X chromosomes, any Y-chromosome DNA detected must belong to the baby — confirming a boy. No Y-chromosome means the baby is a girl.
99%+ Accuracy from 6 Weeks
Unlike ultrasound gender scans which require 16-20 weeks, the blood test for baby gender works from just 6 weeks with over 99% accuracy. It is the earliest reliable method available — weeks before any physical features are visible on a scan.
Who Should Book an Early Gender Blood Test?
Eager parents wanting to know early. If the suspense of waiting until your 20-week anatomy scan feels too long, the early gender blood test gives you a definitive answer from just 6 weeks. Many parents want to know as soon as possible so they can start bonding with their baby by name and begin imagining their future together.
Planning a gender reveal. Organising a surprise gender reveal for family and friends? A blood test result at 6-8 weeks gives you plenty of time to plan a memorable announcement — whether it is a party, a cake, or a special gift for grandparents — long before your anatomy scan.
Nursery and preparation. Knowing your baby's gender early allows you to start making practical decisions — choosing a name, decorating the nursery, buying clothes and planning without second-guessing. Particularly helpful if you prefer to be organised well in advance.
Sharing news with family. Many families feel closer to the pregnancy once they know the gender. If you have older children who are excited about a new brother or sister, or grandparents waiting to hear — an early result lets everyone share in the joy sooner.
Those who cannot wait until the anatomy scan. The NHS 20-week scan is months away. If you are the kind of person who would rather know now than wonder for weeks, the gender blood test removes the uncertainty with a quick, painless blood draw and laboratory-confirmed accuracy.
Medical or family history reasons. Some sex-linked genetic conditions run in families, making early gender knowledge clinically relevant. If your family has a history of conditions that affect one sex more than the other, knowing early can help you and your healthcare team plan appropriate monitoring.
Early Gender Blood Test Pricing
Simple, upfront pricing. The price covers everything — laboratory analysis, professional blood draw and your results report.
| Test | Price |
|---|---|
| Early Gender Blood Test (from 6 Weeks)Cell-free fetal DNA analysis — results in 3-5 working days | £149 |
Price includes professional blood draw and laboratory analysis. Free retest if result is inconclusive.
Want More Than Just Gender? Consider NIPT
Non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) screens for chromosomal conditions like Down's syndrome alongside fetal sex determination — all from 10 weeks gestation. If you want comprehensive prenatal screening as well as gender, NIPT may be the better choice.
| NIPT Package | Includes | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | Trisomy 13, 18, 21 + gender | £299 |
| Advanced | Standard + sex chromosome conditions | £319 |
| Absolute | Comprehensive chromosomal screening | £369 |
NIPT available from 10 weeks. All prices include professional blood draw. Learn more about NIPT
What to Expect
Before Your Test
No fasting or special preparation is needed. Simply ensure you are at least 6 weeks pregnant (calculated from the first day of your last period). Stay hydrated — drinking water before your appointment makes the blood draw easier. That is all you need to do.
During the Blood Draw
A trained phlebotomist takes a small blood sample from your arm — the same as any routine blood test. The entire process takes around 5 minutes. It is quick, straightforward and no more uncomfortable than a standard blood draw at your GP surgery.
After Your Appointment
Your blood sample is sent to an accredited laboratory for analysis. Results are typically available within 3-5 working days and will be emailed directly to you in a clear report confirming your baby's gender. No follow-up appointment is required unless you choose one.
Accuracy & Confidence
The test achieves over 99% accuracy for fetal sex determination. In the rare event of an inconclusive result (around 1-2% of cases, usually at very early gestation), we offer a free retest 7-10 days later. You will never pay twice for an unclear first result.
Why Choose NELS for Your Gender Blood Test?
CQC Registered Clinic
NELS is registered with the Care Quality Commission, meeting the highest standards of safety, cleanliness and clinical governance. Your care is in trusted, regulated hands from start to finish.
Trained Phlebotomists
Your blood draw is performed by qualified, experienced phlebotomists — not self-collection kits. Professional venepuncture ensures sample quality and maximises the chance of a clear, first-time result.
Results Direct to You
Your gender result is emailed directly to you — no chasing, no callbacks, no waiting for a letter. Clear, easy-to-understand results delivered straight to your inbox within 3-5 working days.
Combine With an Early Scan
Already coming in for your gender test? Add an early pregnancy scan to see your baby, confirm viability and check the heartbeat — all in one appointment. The perfect combination for reassurance and excitement.
Early Gender Blood Test FAQs
How accurate is the early gender blood test?
The test is over 99% accurate for determining fetal sex when performed from 6 weeks gestation onwards. It works by detecting cell-free fetal DNA (cffDNA) circulating in the mother's bloodstream. If Y-chromosome DNA is detected, the baby is male. If none is found, the baby is female. The small margin of error is typically due to very early gestation or low fetal DNA concentration, in which case we would recommend a retest at no additional charge.
How early can I take the gender blood test?
You can take the test from 6 weeks gestation (calculated from the first day of your last menstrual period). At 6 weeks, there is sufficient cell-free fetal DNA in your blood for reliable analysis. While accuracy is already very high at 6 weeks, fetal DNA concentration increases as pregnancy progresses, so testing at 7-8 weeks yields marginally higher certainty. We will confirm your gestation dates at your appointment.
Can the test determine gender with twins or multiples?
Yes, though with some limitations. If Y-chromosome DNA is detected in a twin pregnancy, it confirms at least one baby is male — but we cannot determine which twin, or whether both are male. If no Y-chromosome is detected, both babies are female. For higher-order multiples, the same principle applies. We will explain the specific implications for your pregnancy at your appointment.
Is there a difference in accuracy between detecting boys and girls?
The test is marginally more definitive for boys. If Y-chromosome DNA is detected, the result is male with extremely high certainty (over 99.5%). A female result means no Y-chromosome was found, which is also over 99% accurate but carries a very small possibility that fetal DNA levels were too low for detection. If there is any ambiguity, we will recommend a free retest rather than issuing an uncertain result.
What happens if the result is inconclusive?
Occasionally (in around 1-2% of cases), the fetal DNA concentration may be too low for a definitive result — typically when testing very early at 6 weeks. If this happens, we offer a free retest 7-10 days later at no additional cost. By then, fetal DNA levels will have increased and a clear result can almost always be obtained. You will never be charged twice for an inconclusive first test.
How long does it take to get results?
Results are typically available within 3-5 working days after your blood draw. Your results will be emailed directly to you in a clear, easy-to-understand report. If you have opted to combine this with an early pregnancy scan, you can discuss your results at a follow-up appointment if preferred.
Related Tests & Scans
Explore our other pregnancy and blood test services that complement the early gender test.
NIPT Test (Prenatal Screening)
From £299Non-invasive prenatal testing from 10 weeks. Screen for Down's syndrome, Edwards' syndrome and other chromosomal conditions.
View detailsFertility Blood Tests
From £100AMH, FSH, progesterone and comprehensive hormone panels for male and female fertility assessment.
View detailsEarly Pregnancy Scans
From £99Viability scans from 6 weeks, reassurance scans, and dating scans. See your baby and confirm a healthy pregnancy.
View detailsCombine With an Early Pregnancy Scan
See your baby on screen and find out the gender in one visit. Our early pregnancy scans from 6 weeks confirm viability, check the heartbeat and give you that first glimpse — the perfect partner to your gender blood test.
View Pregnancy ScansFind Out Your Baby's Gender from 6 Weeks
Book your early gender blood test today. No referral needed, over 99% accurate, results in 3-5 working days.