How Much Does It Cost to Choose the Gender of Your Baby?

It’s not just science—it’s money, emotion, and a bit of controversy

So here’s the thing: choosing your baby’s gender isn’t just a futuristic concept anymore. It’s real, available, and… well, pricey. I remember sitting with my cousin Elena (who’s been trying for a baby girl after two boys), and she just sighed: “Honestly, if I could pay to make sure it’s a girl this time… I might.”

That got me curious. How much does it actually cost to choose the gender of your baby? The short answer: a lot. The long answer? Buckle up.

The main methods of gender selection—and what they cost

Preimplantation Genetic Testing (PGT) with IVF

This is the big one. The gold standard. The most accurate method available.

Here’s how it works: you go through in vitro fertilization (IVF) to create embryos in a lab, then test those embryos to find out which are male or female. You then choose the one with the gender you want and implant it.

But yeah... it ain’t cheap.

How much are we talking?

• IVF itself: $12,000–$15,000 (per cycle)

• PGT (the genetic testing part): $4,000–$7,500

• Medications: $3,000–$5,000 extra

• Additional consults, bloodwork, freezing fees? Yep, more.

Total cost: Anywhere from $18,000 to $25,000 or more. And that’s per attempt.
I’ve heard of couples spending over $40,000 after two failed cycles. Imagine that stress. Emotionally and financially.

Sperm sorting (MicroSort)

This method is less invasive and cheaper than IVF. It involves separating X and Y sperm to increase the chance of a girl or boy, then using IUI (intrauterine insemination) or IVF to conceive.

Cost breakdown:

• MicroSort procedure: around $4,000–$5,000

• IUI: $500–$1,500

• IVF (if needed): back to that $15,000 range

The downside? It’s not 100% accurate. More like 75%–90%, depending on the desired sex. And it's not widely available everywhere due to ethical or legal restrictions.

“Old-school” methods (spoiler: not that reliable)

Yeah, there are Shettles and Whelan methods, Chinese gender calendars, diet tricks, and even specific bedroom positions.

Cost? Basically zero. Accuracy? Uh… low. Very low.
If you're really serious about selecting gender, these are more wishful thinking than science.

Why would someone even want to choose the gender?

It’s personal—and emotional

Look, people don’t usually do this because they want to play God. Sometimes it’s about family balance, or they’ve had four boys and are desperate for a girl. Sometimes it's about avoiding sex-linked genetic disorders. Sometimes it's cultural. Sometimes... it's grief-related. I’ve met a woman who lost her baby girl and wanted to try again—with a girl, specifically.

So while it can seem extreme from the outside, it’s often coming from a place of deep love, loss, or hope.

Is it legal? And where can you do it?

Depends on where you live

• USA: Gender selection is legal for “family balancing.” Many clinics offer it.

• UK: Only allowed for medical reasons, not for preference.

• Australia, Canada, most of Europe: Generally restricted or banned unless it’s to prevent disease.

Some couples even travel abroad (hello, medical tourism) to access gender selection options not available at home. I met a couple in Spain who flew to California just for this. They spent $30K total. Insane.

Emotional cost—because it’s not just about the money

Here’s the part no one talks about. You’re not just paying with your wallet. You’re paying with time, hormones, anxiety, sometimes heartbreak. IVF is hard. Even harder when you’re doing it for a specific outcome.

What if you don’t get enough embryos of the gender you want? What if none implant? What if it works, but later you feel guilty about “choosing”?

I’m not saying don’t do it—I’m saying go in with eyes wide open.

Final thoughts: how much does gender selection cost?

If you're looking for numbers, here's the blunt version:

• PGT with IVF: $18,000–$25,000+

• Sperm sorting (MicroSort + IUI): $5,000–$8,000

• “Natural” methods: $0, but little to no reliability

But if you’re asking about the true cost? It’s also your emotional energy, your relationship, your patience, and sometimes your sanity.

So if you’re seriously considering it, talk to a doctor, a counselor, maybe even a financial planner. It’s a huge decision, not just a scientific one.

And if it helps: no matter what, you’ll love that baby more than anything—no matter what’s between their legs.

Is 165 cm normal for a 15 year old?

The predicted height for a female, based on your parents heights, is 155 to 165cm. Most 15 year old girls are nearly done growing. I was too. It's a very normal height for a girl.

Is 160 cm too tall for a 12 year old?

How Tall Should a 12 Year Old Be? We can only speak to national average heights here in North America, whereby, a 12 year old girl would be between 137 cm to 162 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/3 feet). A 12 year old boy should be between 137 cm to 160 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/4 feet).

How tall is a average 15 year old?

Average Height to Weight for Teenage Boys - 13 to 20 Years

How to get taller at 18?

Staying physically active is even more essential from childhood to grow and improve overall health. But taking it up even in adulthood can help you add a few inches to your height. Strength-building exercises, yoga, jumping rope, and biking all can help to increase your flexibility and grow a few inches taller.

Is 5.7 a good height for a 15 year old boy?

Generally speaking, the average height for 15 year olds girls is 62.9 inches (or 159.7 cm). On the other hand, teen boys at the age of 15 have a much higher average height, which is 67.0 inches (or 170.1 cm).

Can you grow between 16 and 18?

Most girls stop growing taller by age 14 or 15. However, after their early teenage growth spurt, boys continue gaining height at a gradual pace until around 18. Note that some kids will stop growing earlier and others may keep growing a year or two more.

Can you grow 1 cm after 17?

Even with a healthy diet, most people's height won't increase after age 18 to 20. The graph below shows the rate of growth from birth to age 20. As you can see, the growth lines fall to zero between ages 18 and 20 ( 7 , 8 ). The reason why your height stops increasing is your bones, specifically your growth plates.