Did/does anybody else regret not finding out the gender late in pregnancy?

[chesterberry]

When I had my scans I declined to find out the gender of my baby - I didn't have strong feelings either way but I guess because my parents didn't find out with their children I grew up thinking baby's genders are always a surprise and it felt a bit weird to go against that. Nobody around me seemed bothered whether I found out gender or not either and so I just didn't.

Now I am 38 weeks pregnant and so baby is due imminently and I'm beginning to really wish I knew baby's gender. I will be a single mum and really struggling to decide on names on my own and I think it would be easier if I at least only had one gender to focus on! Also am now trying to get all of the little things ready like outfits and muslins and toys etc and there seems so much less choice when you are gender-neutral - it's not that I would want a very pink girl or blue boy, I don't plan to conform to gender stereotypes where I can avoid it, but just feel now that I want to know!

Anyone else feel like this? I know gender isn't really important so is it just because baby's arrival is so imminent and I am so looking forward to meeting him/her that I feel this longing to know and wish I had found out?

Sort of... I didn't find out, but I'm now having lots of fun using old wives tales to try and guess ;)

Definately struggling with clothes/bedding etc though - I've not found that many neutral things that I really like!

You've stuck it out this long - I would hold out if you can! I can't wait to know now (am 39 weeks) but think it's all part of the excitement of it being so soon - I felt the same as you do at a late stage with my first too.

Know what you mean about names tho - I have two names ready prepared this time, but it is admittedly a bit easier to picture having a baby than I found it with my first.

Fwiw I've just got a few white basics set up for the first few weeks. After the baby is born I intend to go for a nice browse in John Lewis :)
xx

No not with either of mine.
Had strong boy feeling with the second though.
It didn't affect bonding either, and when I think back to both pregnancies I imagine the little character of each of my son's when I reminisce on the flutters kicks and bump touching.

Yes! Starting to wish I knew, but in a 'not really' kind of way. Also struggling with names. For clothes I just have quite a lot of white / yellow type things.

Will do a bit of a clothes splurge once I know, though like you, not planning to be excessively pink or blue.

I felt the same as you. By 38 weeks I was a bit cross with myself for not finding out.

However, the rush of excitement I felt when my baby was delivered (emcs) and the surgeon brought her round to us and said "you've got a little girl" as she looked at us was like nothing else I've ever felt. It was an absolutely wonderful moment and I still well up a bit now when I think about it. So in the long run I know I made the right decision!