For those who have had a gender reveal...

[ChangesAt30]

Did you have to book a private scan to find out the sex if you didn't want to know? Did they just seal it in an envelope?

Thanks!

No! We just told the sonographer we were doing a family reveal and they sealed it in an envelope which you can give to family member / balloon shop / cake shop etc x

It depends on your nhs trust. I didn’t do a gender reveal, but it said clearly on our appointment letter that the sonographer would tell us the sex but wouldn’t write it down.

As above, depends. Our hospital have signs everywhere saying the sonographer will only tell the patient and will not write it down.

Thank you all

Why would they not want to write it down - genuinely curious!

Suppose it's just timewasting and a slippery slope to whatever random requests parents start making next.

@unicornsprinklesss I read somewhere (possibly on here!) that it was in case they got it wrong.

I suppose verbally they could say 'it looks like... but can't guarantee' but if it's written down then people might take it as 100%. I'm not sure though 🤷‍♀️

A friend of mine wanted a gender reveal so the Sonographer at our local hospital wrote it down on a card my friend took in with her. I don’t see why they would have a problem with it.

Many hospitals won’t write it down as there is always a margin for error. Private places always do though.

@Fundays12 yes that's the impression I was under, not sure if our local hospital will do it as we didn't want to know the sex of DC1 anyway!

Thank you all, have gave me food for thought

Our hospital won't write it down - I know at least 3 local hospitals that won't - I believe in case they are incorrect.
I had gender scan privately at 16w for £60.

I think my hospital says they can't guarantee the sex they tell you and won't write it down. As PP said, my sonographer would only say 'looks like'.

My last check up was with a different midwife to my usual one so she asked if I knew what I was having, told her we didn’t want to find out (only private scanning companies will tell you here) She then told me that she was aware of quite a few couples who’d been told incorrectly - bit awkward if you have a reveal then people buy presents beforehand based on that... You can see why the NHS wouldn’t want to write it down for you - imagine the outcry and sad face stories it would generate.

I’m having a private scan at 16 weeks but when I go for my 20wk on I will just say I’d like to know if possible and see if they say the same! I won’t let on I already possibly know!

To those who have had private scans, it says to take your hospital notes. Do they write on them then? X

I have always had private scans then got the nhs to confirm it. Never been wrong but still refused to buy anything but unisex prams etc.

My trust wouldn't write it down. I took a piece of blue paper, a piece of pink paper and an envelope. She put the appropriate paper in the envelope for me to give to a friend.

@pancaketits that's interesting! I wonder why she would do that but not write it? Same outcome surely

genuinely curious as to what people get out of gender reveal parties as opposed to finding out at the scan?

@NicciLovesSundays finding out at the same time as other close family members. Just seems like a light hearted, fun thing. An excuse for everyone to get together.

We are hoping to get it written down, just so we can go out for lunch that day and open it just the two of us.
We think it would be more special that way 💕