The Association between Placental Location in the First Trimester and Fetal Sex
Fariba Mirbolouk
Reproductive Health Research Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Alzahra Hospital, School of Medicine, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran.
Maryam Mohammadi *
Reproductive Health Research Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Alzahra Hospital, School of Medicine, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran.
Ehsan Kazemnejad Leili
Faculty of Midwifery and Nursing, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran.
Seyedeh Fatemeh Dalil Heirati
Reproductive Health Research Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Alzahra Hospital, School of Medicine, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Background: Because advance knowledge of fetal sex can satisfy parental curiosity and allay anxiety, attempts at its determination prior to birth have a long history. There may also be reason to determine fetal sex when sex-specific genetic disorders are suspected. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between gestational sac (GS) location and fetal sex.
Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 751 pregnant women. Transvaginal ultrasound was performed during 7-8 weeks of gestation for prenatal care and assessment of pregnancy sac and GS location. Age, parity, gravidity and GS location were recorded. Abdominal ultrasound was performed at 16-20 weeks of gestation to determine fetal health and sex and finally data was analyzed and compared to sex of the fetus after birth using SPSS software version 21.
Results: There was a significant relationship between GS location and fetal sex (P<0.0001). However, pregnancy outcomes (male or female) and GS location (anterior or posterior) were not significant correlated (P= 0.290). There was, on the other hand, a significant relationship between outcomes and GS location (right or left) (P<0.0001).
Conclusion: Maybe GS location could be considered as a helpful method for earlier fetal sex determination.
Keywords: Sex, gestational sac location, placental location, ultrasound, fetus