Amniocentesis and chorionic villus sampling (CVS) are genetic tests that can be used earlier to find out the sex of your baby. They are more invasive and can pose health risks to your baby. Though they also yield better information about genetics.
Some families are choosing to use alternate means to try to figure out the sex before birth. This might be one of the store bought tests like the Intelligender Test. This is not regulated by physicians or midwives, you can buy it online or at local stores. It's supposedly valid from the 10th week of gestation. And there are also the old wives tales.
There is also a new method of finding out the sex that is gaining in popularity, it's called the Ramzi's Method or Ramzi's Readings. This uses ultrasound in early pregnancy, as early as six weeks pregnant, to be able to tell the gender of your baby based on the location of the placenta. Most physicians don't offer this per se, but you can certainly ask about it.
