When you have the nuchal/dating scan.....

[RGPargy]

..... do you also hear the heart beat?

I've only ever had a 20 week scan with DS1 some 17 years ago and really cant remember

Perhaps technology has come along a bit since then!

yes, i have heard the heartbeat at every scan (i think). it's very easy for them to do, so if they don't do it, ask!

Brilliant, thanx!

Also, can they tell the sex at that stage too?

no - they won't be able to tell til the 20 week scan

there are private clinics that offer sexing scans from around 17 weeks

Oh right, that's a shame. I was expecting to know on monday when i have my first scan. nevermind!

good luck with the scan though

Thanx

Re the gender - depends where you have it done - definitely no at the NHS nuchal fold but when I had my Nuchal Fold at the Institute of fetal medicine in November they told me at 12 weeks that it was very likely a boy.

Apparently at 12 weeks if the 'bits' point upwards likely to be a boy and if they lie horizontal a girl.

I did go on to have the CVS and they were right it is a boy !

You can normally be told at the NHS 20 week scan although they would not tell me this time as is now hospital policy -didn't really matter to me as had a CVS but may have been disappointed otherwise !

Hey RGPargy!! It depends on the quality of the scans they are using. For example, we have a specialist here in Frankfurt (who works very closely together with doctors in the UK and apparently also uses their machines) and he tells you the babies sex at week 13 (and he has a VERY good "hit ratio"!!!!).... actually the photos are so clear, there is not doubt really
Here is the UK website: www.fetalmedicine.com/
Good luck!!

Incy - our hospital has recently just teamed up with Kings College Hospital and my doctor told me that they now have all singing and dancing equipment etc so i'm hoping that the scan will be clear enough to tell. I'm glad you told me about your CVS (hope the results were fine, btw) as I may need one of these also and I was wondering if this would tell the sex of the baby, but now i know!

GermanGal - Shame i couldn't get to Frankfurt for a visit to your specialist . I'll have a gander at that website tho!

Yes if you have the CVS they can tell you 100% the gender which is nice - everything was fine with my CVS- if you have to have one then don't worry as it was quick and painless (despite weeks of panic beforehand !)

I have heard kings have very good scanners so perhaps they can tell you (or you could look in the appropriate area !).

Apparently both genders have a (ahem) willy shape at that stage but a girl's would lie flat whilst a boy's would stick up.

Good luck and congratualtions btw

Incy - thanx

If i do have a CVS, it'll be on Wednesday and I'll know the results by Friday. It's really that quick so i'm relieved that if the odds are stacked against my LO on Monday, I'll know for deffo by Friday - less than a week!