Q- When can you find out the babies sex?

Q- When can you find out the babies sex?

Blue or pink, girl or boy…if you’re expecting this is can be one of the big questions on your mind. Most folks these days find out their babies sex so they can plan ahead, while others like the surprise and ask that it remain a mystery. Either way it’s very exciting. If you find out the sex during your second trimester ultrasound, you can prepare things like the nursery color coded to suit male or female. Some folks also swear that knowing the sex helps to form a bond with the unborn child. While there’s no scientific proof of this, it’s understandable that a parent could feel more in tune with their child if they knew it was a little girl, or a little boy. Some parents hold a different view on finding the sex, and think that it detracts from the mystique and the gift after long hours of delivery. After all, fifty years ago folks couldn’t plan ahead like we are blessed to, and they survived, right? Just inform the sonographer at the time of the scan and only the information you want will be given to you.

Most second trimester ultrasounds happen within week 18 to 22 weeks. This is the trimester that everyone raves about; your energy is back, your bump is beginning to show, and the fear of miscarriage has passed. The ultrasound you get during this time will determine the position of your baby, the status of the placenta and health of your baby’s body such as the spine , the lips, the fingers and toes and the developing brain. Your sonographer will measure any parts of the foetus, take note of the amount of amniotic fluid, and let you know that everything looks okay. This ultrasound is a big step up from the first, when your foetus looked like a pinto bean. Now he/she looks like a baby, and many parents get a glimpse of their baby sucking their thumb, or “waving” at the camera.

The second trimester ultrasound is also the moment of truth for some. Is it a boy or a girl! What you need to remember is this: if your baby is in a tricky position you may not get a glimpse. There is also the chance that your boy may turn out to be a girl, or vice versa [although the first is more common, for obvious reasons!] Our trained sonographers rarely have a problem determining sex, and if your little one is in an odd position we offer a full refund or a rescheduling. Don’t let the possibility of crossed legs get your hopes down though! 9 times out of ten our skilled sonographers are able to get your little gal, or guy to wiggle so that the crucial parts reveal themselves.

For more information about our pregnancy ultrasound scans or other services contact us today: 01 210 0232 | info@ultrasound.ie

References
1. Ji, E. K., Pretorius, D. H., Newton, R., Uyan, K., Hull, A. D., Hollenbach, K. &
Nelson, T. R. 2005. Effects of ultrasound on maternal-fetal bonding: a
comparison of two- and three-dimensional imaging. Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol,
25 (5), pp. 473-7.
2. Timor-Tritsch, I. E. & Platt, L. D. 2002. Three-dimensional ultrasound experience in
obstetrics. Curr Opin Obstet Gynecol, 14 (6), pp. 569-75.
3. Johnson, D. D., Pretorius, D. H., Budorick, N. E., Jones, M. C., Lou, K. V., James, G.
M. & Nelson, T. R. 2000. Fetal lip and primary palate: three-dimensional versus
two-dimensional US. Radiology, 217 (1), pp. 236-9.
4. Chmait, R., Pretorius, D., Jones, M., Hull, A., James, G., Nelson, T. & Moore, T. 2002.
Prenatal evaluation of facial clefts with two-dimensional and adjunctive three-
dimensional ultrasonography: a prospective trial. Am J Obstet Gynecol, 187 (4),
pp. 946-9.

Disclaimer

All of the content and articles on our blog and website are intended for informational purposes only. Please do not consider any of the information provided here as a substitute for medical advice. At all times seek medical advice directly with your own doctor and medical team.