Finding out baby's gender

[Elmo230885]

Just wondering why/why not did you/didn't you find out the gender of your baby?

I have a 5 wk old DD and we didn't find out. People always asked if we were having a boy or a girl and they were always shocked but pleased about us not knowing. My family were happy about not knowing, it was really exciting (especially as she is the first grandchild on my side).

So just wondering about people's reasons really and hope this is posted in the right place

[MrsMeggles]

I've always really, really wanted a daughter and as soon as I was pregnant pictured myself with one, plus I am one of four close sisters.... so I wanted to find out so I could get my head around having a boy rather than be disappointed in any way at birth (anticipating being a hormonal mess!!). We found out and had our DD and a few years later I am now expecting a little boy. We found out again as I wanted to be able to prepare mentally and bond, and I'm pleased to say I'm super happy we've got a little boy on the way so is my daughter.

[Elmo230885]

Thanks for the reply

[flumpybear]

I really wanted to know so I could bond with mine, thinking about their future and what they maybe like whilst they were still in utero .... I would have had a private scan if I couldn't find out at my 20 week scan - definitely

[imamumagain]

Im still early on and have 1 son but i wouldnt mind what gender i have next so will probably not find out this time x

[Catherinebee85]

I didn't think I wanted to know but then we were given 1:7 odds of baby having downs syndrome and so we went for chromosome tests. After the stress and the fact I knew the person telling me my results had in front of them boy/girl I just had to know.

I'm not saying I wouldn't be bonded with bubs but knowing she's a girl is helping me to talk to her and imagine her being here. I'm 26 weeks now and found out at 13 weeks. No regrets!

[Fattycowagain]

We aren't finding out the sex, as I want to be surprised at the birth.

[Twinmummytobe]

Hi we found out we were having twins and decided to find out for practicality reasons. Also I reckoned if you found out the gender it made 2 very special days - the day you find out the gender and the day you see your beautiful baby for the first time xx

[user1499786242]

Didn't find out with my first although I just knew he was a boy! But was really nice for my partner to have that 'surprise' and also telling people etc
Doing the wives tales and having people guess was also fun!
With my second I wanted a girl, and knew I would need time to get my head round having a boy! I also wanted to get stuff prepared etc

We found out it's a girl and I will never ever ever forget that moment in the scan room!
I am loving every minute of knowing and preparing the beautiful nursery, buying the clothes and picking names! We weren't going to tell anyone but the excitement was too much and I love seeing people's reactions!

So for me, knowing has been a better experience! But I'm glad I've done both

If I ever have another baby I have no idea what I would do! Probably wait until the birth as I would have everything for either sex!

[YerMammy]

I didn’t care, so wanted to wait for the birth day.

[student26]

I found out at my scan as I just desperately wanted to know! So I could make her clothes and things. Next time I'm going to wait until they are born for a surprise. I'm excited thinking about it!

[PurpleTraitor]

People think there are two times you can find out a baby’s sex, immediately after birth, or at a scan before they are born.

Problem is that there are other ways to find out.

When being investigated for chromosomal abnormalities or hereditary conditions affecting one sex.

When your baby’s post mortem results come in.

Hours after birth when you regain consciousness and you are told by a nurse because your partner is with the baby in special care.

Those are just a few examples of ways to find out.

Having experienced more than one deeply shit way of ‘finding out’ I’ll always find out everything I can about my baby as early as I can so I can get as many nice moments as I can while I can.

[HeartsTrumpDiamonds]

Purple

[JumpingFrogs]

I would have hated to know with mine. My 3rd and 4th were twins. We knew at 13 weeks that they were identical so knew it would be 2 girls or 2 boys but still chose not to know the gender. I just feel that throughout human history women haven't known the gender till the baby is born and I think that's kind of magical. When nieces and nephews have been expected it's somehow spoilt it for me knowing the sex before the birth announcement. If I ever had grandchildren I would much prefer not to be told the gender (or the name) until the birth, though realise that would be up to my dad!

[JumpingFrogs]

Sorry Purple Traitor, our posts kind of crossed so I hadn't read yours before drafting mine. But I can understand why you might want to know the gender as soon as possible if you'd had those kind of experiences. A close friend of mine found out the gender of her rainbow baby when she hadn't wanted to know with her others

[Chienrouge]

I didn’t find out with my first, did with my second.
Both utterly amazing experiences.
I can’t imagine the birth of my child ever being less exciting/wonderful just because I already know what it’s got between it’s legs, to be honest.

[Mrsknackered]

I didn't ask to find out with my first. I had only just found that I was pregnant, and for my 'dating' scan it turned out that I was 20 weeks pregnant. The midwife blurted it out :(

We decided to find out with our second, because I had PND and a broken leg and was very miserable, I needed something to keep me positive. It was another boy, but it wouldn't of mattered either way.

If we ever had another, I don't think we'd find out BUT I imagine the children would want us too.

[Mrsramsayscat]

I didn't find out with 1-3, but did for my 4th. I regretted it afterwards. It's like opening your birthday gift in advance. I chose not to know for my 5th.

[wilts09]

This thread is nearly a year old!

[user1499786242]

OMG just realised I commented on a zombie thread 😭😭😭 doh!