Yes it's very normal to gain a bit right after you stop your sway. Cravings do not predict gender - I have this question all the time and people will tell me the exact opposite sets of cravings and they mean nothing.
Anything 10 weeks or further is fine. Don't worry about the fraction - either they have enough or they will tell you. You don't need to worry about that it's their responsibility. The fraction can vary by test so just follow their guidelines on when to have it.
Tei, did you end up doing NIPT? Or your still not there yet? Fingers crossed for you. Sending you lots of pink dust.
Hey mum of four monkeys, yes I did and just got results back yesterday and it's a Girl!!!! I still don't believe it but on the result page it says gender is 99.8% accurate... I'm so scared to be excited! I've been telling myself it's a boy the past 3 months so I wouldn't be disappointed but now its hard to accept the truth! Haha.... I hope it will feel more real soon but I'm not sure it will until I see the 20 week ultrasound! I haven't herd of many nipt tests being wrong for gender only those few elsewhere on the net and most were vanishing twins.. hope I'm just being paranoid!
:running: OMGosh that's excellent news - and see you answered your own question there LOL The answer is YES! The NIPT are far more accurate than ultrasounds!!!