Will this be allowed?

[EMurphy]

I'm expecting baby #3 and I'm due in 2 weeks, DH and I don't know the sex and we already have a DD and DS. Will it be possible for us to ask for baby to be covered up until his/her siblings arrive and we can find out the sex with them?

[EMurphy]

It is important as it'll be our last child but if it can't be done we'll just ask to not have it announced at birth and me and DH will look and tell the kids when they arrive. Both kids aren't bothered about the sex.

[Flottila]

How absurd. Why are your children's 'need' to know the sex elevated to the same importance as yours?

[Levatrice]

Lovely idea. Are you planning a home birth? Just as I wonder how this might work if you deliver in hospital overnight and have to wait quite a while for visitors to be admitted, plus the whole nappy change business.

Im sure if the midwife was on board with this she could quickly dry baby once delivered and wrap a sheet round the bottom half of him/her before placing skin to skin so you will both still benefit from this and be able to BF. She will need to do the full body check but this could be done away from the bedside but still in the delivery room. Of course your DH will have to avert his eyes at delivery will he able to do this?! Good luck with it all

[EMurphy]

I am planning a home birth. Thank you all (except flottila)!

Will announce baby's sex and name once they're here :D

[BrendaFlange]

If your DC are not bothered about what sex the baby is, is it wise to make a big deal of it?

One of them might actually go 'ooooh-werrr' (complainy tone) if they had a preference (that they have not yet voiced or realised) and how will that 'spoil' the surprise? It is a baby - be happy with them about the baby...and go with the flow of the happy birth without the complication of manoeuvres to conceal the sex?

Anyway, congratulations and good luck!

[blowinahoolie]

I have two DSs and due DC3 any day now, but being induced at weekend. We'll find out first at the hospital and then tell DC if they have a baby brother or sister when we come home from hospital. Hadn't considered concealing it so we all found out together, tbh. It's my last baby as well.

Good luck with it all OP.

[elelfrance]

how quickly can your kids be there ? just thinking that if it might take a while, what happens if baby needs his nappy changing ?

[horsewalksintoabar]

I imagine it might be tricky but maybe having a home birth might make it a bit easier to conceal. I'd go with your original plan with a degree flexibility (no pun intended!)... if you and DH find out before the kids come in to share the joy, then so be it. It's a happy outcome whatever happens. Have a beautiful, quick , healthy delivery!

[BrendaFlange]

Will small children appreciate being woken at 4am? And be cheerful and interested rather than sleepy and grumpy?