From the moment I found out that I was expecting with each one of my children, I couldn’t wait until I was able to have ultrasound done during the later half of the second trimester so that I could find out the gender of my baby. In fact, I have figured out how some couples or moms can make it through their entire pregnancy not knowing the sex on the baby. I know that I would have a hard time waiting until I delivered to find out the sex of my baby. Even though I found out the sex of my baby, I was happy with the outcome each time and I couldn’t wait to meet my baby. I know that finding out the sex of the baby can be very disappointing for some couples or moms because they had their heart set on having a specific gender.
Disclosure: The opinions reflected in this post are my own and my differ from your own.
The Old Wives Tale Gender Prediction
Many moms try to use some of the popular old wive tale gender prediction tests to try and determine the sex of the baby. I know that I personally tried a few of the old wives tale tricks but most of the time they where wrong. It is fun trying to figure out the sex of your baby; in fact, the wives tale tests are only 50% correct. Some of the popular wives tale gender predictions are: string and needle trick, Chinese prediction calendar, Ring test, heart beat of the baby, by the way that you are carrying your baby, cravings that you are having, Drano test, and many other fun ways to try to determine the sex of your baby.
Ultrasound
An ultrasound is the best and most accurately used method to determine the sex of your baby. However, it is possible that the ultrasound tech can make a mistake but overall they are usually fairly accurate. A highly trained ultrasound tech might be able to determine the sex of the baby fairly early in your pregnancy but if you are wanting an accurate answer it is best to wait until you reach the 18 to 22 weeks gestation point, if you are further along sometimes it is hard to tell due to the limited space left in your belly. At 18 to 22 weeks gestation you should be able to easily see the sex of your baby, as long as your baby is cooperating. The ultrasound technician always described the boy parts as turtle and girl parts have three lines that look similar to a hamburger.
Pro’s to Finding out the Sex of Your Baby
I personally loved finding out the sex of my baby when I was pregnant because I was able to pick my baby’s name, buy them cute gender specific outfits, and pick out their nursery colors. Some parents feel more connected to their baby after they find out the sex of their baby. It kinda makes sense because you can begin calling your baby by his or her name while still inside of the womb. Others find out the sex of the baby so that they can decide on circumcision or other religious ceremonies. I always loved being able to tell people what I was having when they asked me.
Con’s to Finding out the Sex of Your Baby
For those parents who don’t want to find out the sex of their baby, they often want to wait until delivery day to find out the sex of their baby. As a mom, I think it would a great motivation for me to labor and deliver naturally so that I can find out the sex of the baby. Not knowing the sex of the baby can give mom a great incentive to work towards having a natural delivery and help make those last few weeks of pregnancy a bit more bearable. If you decide to wait until delivery day to find out the sex of your baby, be prepared to deal with a few upset relatives who were dying to know the sex of your baby. Parents will also have to come up with a girls name and a boys name so that they have a name picked out for their new baby. However, I know some parents wait to pick the final name until after they have seen their baby.
Can’t Agree on Finding out the Gender of Your Baby
If a couple can’t agree on whether or not they want to find out the sex of the baby. Perhaps, only one person wants to find out the sex of the baby and the other doesn’t. Most people ask the ultrasound tech to place the answer in an envelope, just in case you change your mind or your spouse decides that he or she wants to know. This is also a great way for both spouses to find out at the same time if both of you can not go to the ultrasound appointment together. Of course, if one spouse knows and the other doesn’t you might accidentally slip and spill the beans. If this happens, try to cover it up and confuse your spouse so that he or she won’t be disappointed.
Fun Ways to Reveal the Gender of Your Baby – Gender Reveal Parties
Many couples are waiting until their baby shower to determine the sex of their baby. This is a fun way to announce the gender of your baby to everyone at the same time. The couple generally asks the ultrasound technician to quietly take a photo of the babies genitals and put them in a sealed envelope. Then the couple hands the sealed envelope over to the person who is responsible for having a cake made or helping with the gender reveal party. The cake idea is fairly new and it is a fun way to reveal the gender of your baby when you cut open the cake. If the inside of the cake is blue you are having a boy and if it is pink you are having a girl. I have also seen other people open a box that is filled with gender specific balloons. There are tons of ways to reveal the gender of your baby at your baby shower.
I wish you the best and hope that you can figure out which decision is best for you and your family.
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Did you find out the gender of your baby? How did you reveal your baby’s gender to family and friends?
