Private gender scan? Yes or no?

[ALittleBitWorried1983]

I'm 16 weeks today and thinking of getting an early gender scan in the next week simply because I'm impatient and also the place I'd like to does a really nice gender package. I'm also moving in two weeks so would like to be able to make a start on the nursery.

However I know there's not a 100% guarantee even though the place says they're 99.8% accurate. So I'm a bit worried I'd go and they'd say it's one sex and then it end up being the other!

Anyone got any advice on whether it's worth it or if I should just wait? Or have any experience positive negative?

The gender package includes: gender confirmation, digial photos, physical photos, a 4d peek, a teddy bear with the heartbeat in it and a gender reveal box - think it sounds really nice!

If you can afford it then go for it! You could
Always wait until after the 20 week scan to tell people.

Up to you, we did it for your reasons exactly. You know you can still go to the NHS gender scan right? well.. we did! was a boy both times!

We had one at 16 weeks with all 3 pregnancies because I'm so inpatient !

All 3 of mine are boys and so was very obvious in the scan but we did still wait till after the 20 week scan to announce.

It's a lovely experience as it doesn't have the medical feeling of your 20 week anomaly scan.

If you can afford it and want to then just go for it. You still need to go for NHS 20 week scan, though. The 20 week scan is an anomaly scan, not a gender scan. It's there to pick up on potential problems with baby. I had private sex scan at 16 weeks and they double checked for me at the 20 week NHS scan. Both can be inaccurate.

I just got harmony, none of the frills, all of the info on sex and possible health issues. Could this be an option? Or is it the whole excitement of the package that is more what you’re after?

@Boobiliboobiliboo was that comment really necessary, you know what the OP meant.

These scans are specifically called gender scans by the company that sell them. I’m guessing that is why OP said gender not sex

the NHS gender scan

The NHS scan is not a gender scan.

We had a private scan at 16+1 and she said although they officially can't say 100% she knew it was a boy. Was also very clear to myself and DP. Private scans are designed for finding out the sex, therefore it's a much more personal experience I found, especially with all the keepsakes they offer. Go for it I'd say!

*if

@Boobiliboobiliboo is right about sex V gender and it does matter.

The NHS 20 week scan is the anatomy scan to check for a healthy body and all the bits not just the male/ female bits

A gender reveal box?

I will never fail to be amazed at the kinds of things people desire.

The scan you talk about will tell you if your child has a penis or a vulva. What’s that got to do with the plans for the nursery? Seriously whhow exactly does their penis or vulva relate to what colour curtains you get for their room?

And what’s the gender reveal box?

The 20 week NHS scan is the anomaly scan. They screen your foetus for some life threatening and life altering problems. Some find out at that scan that their baby won’t survive. Yes at that scan if you ask they will tell you if the baby has a penis or a vulva.

Just out of curiosity, does the private clinic do all the anomaly scans? What happens if they pick up a problem, even if not specifically looking for one? The NHS scans are set up so that you can get an immediate second opinion and further advice/counselling; are you happy to risk that you might end up in a situation where you know you have ‘some sort of issue’ but have to wait for a referral to find out what? (Can the private clinic even do referrals or would you have to go via your GP, adding more time on?)

Sorry OP, I realise that post sounded a bit aggressive, and it’s not really aimed at you, just general musing really.

If you want to have a private sex scan to make it a bit special then go for it; it’s just personally I’d wait until the all clear at the 20 week scan.

@Boobiliboobiliboo I didn’t say it made it biologically accurate or that you are incorrect! I was just pointing out that may have been the reason the OP said it the way she did. We all knew what she meant 😬

I had one of these said early scans, it's was so so lovely. Quite extra but if you can't be extra when pregnant when can you?! I had the NHS one too, boy both times.

Off to google the difference between sex and gender

The NHS scam is an anomaly scan, does the private one check for the same things or is it just to tell you the sex?

Scan

I’m with Boobiliboobiliboo. I know it’s missing OP’s point but the difference between sex and gender does matter.
Particularly at the moment.
The terms aren’t interchangeable. Sex is what your chromosomes dictate, gender is what society dictates...

I'm really not liking the tone from some of the posters on this thread. OP simply wanted some advice as to whether the 'gender scan' was worth the money. Instead of that she's been attacked for confusing gender with sex, for not being responsible enough to know the importance of the 20 week scan and being an awful person for wanting to know the sex to inform the decoration of the nursery. All very unfair and not really addressing the question.

@ALittleBitWorried1983 I'm 17 weeks and tbh I really wish we could afford to find out the sex before the 20 week scan. I feel like knowing will really help me bond with baby after experiencing pregnancy loss in the past. I think the package you mentioned sounds lovely and if you can afford it and it's important to you, go for it.

Although I'm not a fan of pink and blue and prefer more gender neutral colours, knowing the sex will inform the theme for our nursery and certainly some of the little outfits I'd like to buy will be gender specific. I completely respect other people's choices to stick with completely gender neutral stuff. At the end of the day we're all parents and we have the right to do what we feel is right for our child.