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Original poster

gender reveal

98 replies

Sdbsouthcoast · 22/01/2021 18:16

Hey lovely people,so I had a scan today which gave me the gender of the baby sealed in an envelope so it's a surprise for me and my partner even though I know it's early at 16+5 this is likely my only child as it's an IVF pregnancy so it's all a big deal to us and we want to make the most of it

My question is,with this lock down I can't see my family,as they live in London,I am on the south coast. I would love for the gender reveal to be a surprise for both me and partner but also friends and family,but what I would love most is to capture reactions of everyone.. Most don't even know I am pregnant!

Any ideas? What have you lot all done xx

The general vibe is showing one person the note in envelope, getting them to order the blackballoon with the right coloured confetti and me and my partner blowing it up and popping it whilst on zoom or facetime to others,but I'm not sure if you can record on zoom or if anyone has any other ideas anyway

Thanks x

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Sdbsouthcoast · 22/01/2021 19:25

I'm not going to cry if I can't do it,but I think you are missing the point a little bit,I just want baby to be born and OK,I don't care what sex it is,more just for something nice to remember and look back on as this is my only shot at doing it,after years and years of IVF and with COVID etc both me my partner and friends and family would be excited to find out but to have some good news too

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Sdbsouthcoast · 22/01/2021 19:26

No offense taken,thank you

OP posts:
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Sdbsouthcoast · 22/01/2021 19:28

Ohh that's good to know,I don't usually have to use anything other than facetime so will definitely look into that too,thank you x

OP posts:
Teakind · 22/01/2021 19:32

Congratulations on your pregnancy OP.

This was before covid but my friends found out what they were having using a confetti cannon. They then went round to their parents houses with more confetti cannons so they could set their own ones off. They filmed their reactions on their phones.

Could you maybe send confetti cannons to your close family/friends and get them to pull them when you are watching on Microsoft teams? Or any other piece of software that records?

Another one of my friends found out with a balloon and sent round a slow motion clip of their reactions. That was a very emotional one as they had been through multiple rounds of IVF.

NinaMimi · 22/01/2021 19:35

I don’t know why people are so mean. If it gives people joy then why criticise? No one is making you go. I think people know their friends and family better than some randoms on the internet. Lots of people are going mad stuck inside too and a little online event between friends and family could be fun.

As for recording the event you could use some screen recording software to record it if you can’t do it on zoom. I’m not that familiar with zoom so don’t know how on it. Although whatever you choose test it beforehand to make sure it records both audio and visual.

I’m not sure on ideas but the balloon idea sounds fun.

ShowOfHands · 22/01/2021 19:36

Congratulations on your pregnancy.

This is not a thing

Quite apart from the fact that it IS a thing, why does anything have to be a "thing" for it to be acceptable? Why not just do something for the simple reason you want to and it isn't hurting anybody at all. I didn't do it and wouldn't because it's not something I'd want to do but I don't want to go to Tenerife either. I'm not scouring the web in order to piss all over the chips of somebody who asked for travel tips for Tenerife simply because I don't want to go there. Because that would be odd. And rude. And a waste of energy.

I don't know how you would record it op but hope you find a way. Here's to a happy and healthy rest of your pregnancy, an easy delivery and a joyful family reveal. Enjoy!

Hersetta427 · 22/01/2021 19:37

I am very happy for you but I hate gender reveals with a passion only exceeded by baby showers.

HungryHippo20 · 22/01/2021 19:49

@ShowOfHands

Congratulations on your pregnancy.

This is not a thing

Quite apart from the fact that it IS a thing, why does anything have to be a "thing" for it to be acceptable? Why not just do something for the simple reason you want to and it isn't hurting anybody at all. I didn't do it and wouldn't because it's not something I'd want to do but I don't want to go to Tenerife either. I'm not scouring the web in order to piss all over the chips of somebody who asked for travel tips for Tenerife simply because I don't want to go there. Because that would be odd. And rude. And a waste of energy.

I don't know how you would record it op but hope you find a way. Here's to a happy and healthy rest of your pregnancy, an easy delivery and a joyful family reveal. Enjoy!

Very well put!!!
purplejungle · 22/01/2021 19:49

I was on a work zoom call yesterday which was being recorded so you definitely can record on zoom, not sure how though but probably easy to find out on google.

EmilyG1989 · 22/01/2021 20:04

What about spending a small fortune on multiple balloons and recording the reactions individually so it's nice and clear for each one? Maybe do 'the one where you find out' with your parents on the door step?? Ask a neighbour of theirs to film it all for you and swap numbers so they can send a video?
Then do the zoom for everyone else individually that you can record? Xx

EmilyG1989 · 22/01/2021 20:05

Whatever you do, your loved ones are going to be THRILLED!!! 😆 so exciting!! Xx

boymum88 · 22/01/2021 20:06

I really don't know why people are such haters, if its not ur cup of tea then don't continue to read the post and move on with ur life.

Op not sure about recording but we FaceTimed both family's at the same time. We found out together at the scan what we were having and went a got some coloured ballons popped them in a big box and got our toddler to open the box so the grandparents could find out together. Just a bit of harmless fun xx

EmilyG1989 · 22/01/2021 20:14

@boymum88 completely harmless!! What's people's problem?! It think they're forgetting the people who OP is doing this for actually love her, her other half and their little bean immensely and will be beyond excited at finding out if it's a 'pheobe or pheobo' 🤭💗💙

Miserable bast'rds

Amelia49 · 22/01/2021 20:16

Congrats! Ignore the idiots here that feel the need to jump on anything gender related, or that doesn't appeal to them! I had my heart set on doing a gender reveal but lock down happened and I was gutted. We kept changing our minds on how to do it, we had planned to let one of our friends take the envelope and they would order our gender balloon along with other decorations, but we actually ended up finding out just the two of us alone and it was a really special moment. Then we called our families and friends and surprised them all with a pink baby grow. It was actually quite fun knowing before them and having them all guessing, it was like reliving the excitement every time we called someone!

Whatever you decide to do it'll be the best moment ever! x

toolazytothinkofausername · 22/01/2021 20:17

Could you find a baker that could send them cupcakes, then they eat whilst on video call with you (and you have cupcakes too) then you can all find out together when you see what colour the inside icing is (blue or pink)

Dollywilde · 22/01/2021 20:20

@toolazytothinkofausername that’s a nice idea.

Honestly OP I’m delighted when I find out someone I know is pregnant. But when I hear the sex it’s generally “oh that’s nice”

I’m not going to batter you like others on this thread, I’m just trying to gently prepare you in case others aren’t as enthusiastic as you want them to be

toolazytothinkofausername · 22/01/2021 20:25

I think gender reveal is exciting for your parents (to be grandparents) and siblings (to be aunt/uncle). For these people I'd definitely want a fancy reveal to remember :)

Marlena1 · 22/01/2021 20:37

OP someone I know did similar with the balloon, they probably wouldve been anti this type of thing but covid has changed things. Recording zoom sounds best. So exciting, congratulations!!!

longcoffeebreak · 22/01/2021 21:04

Why would anyone else but you care that much what the sex of the baby is?? I genuinely am asking why. Of course you care but Confused

mrstasty · 22/01/2021 21:13

I really don't think anyone other than close family is that interested in the sex of the baby. I've put on a polite smile for this kind of thing before, but it's really very cringe.

ame88 · 22/01/2021 21:25

I know loads of people who have done a gender reveal in the UK. Not sure why you have received negative responses.
You do you!
I hope you have a fab time whatever you decide x

MJM1608 · 22/01/2021 21:26

@Sdbsouthcoast Wow sorry people are so rude on this thread! Don’t let people make you feel bad for wanting to celebrate! I don’t know many people who DON’T have a gender reveal celebration of some sort! We had ours via zoom with confetti cannons (although we found out the sex together beforehand) ordered on Amazon. You can record on Zoom very easily, it’s a button beside the mute/video settings etc. Then saves it straight after. I recorded ours & have recorded everyone (that we could tell face to face) to look back on in future. It’s a really precious moment & will get your family & friends so excited for you both! Good luck 💖💙✨☺️

SallyCinnamon3009 · 22/01/2021 22:03

Lots of places will make you a balloon up. Just pass them the sealed envelope.

You could do a zoom call with you popping the balloon and everyone finds out on the zoom call/ sees your reaction.

Be aware though - Mumsnet hates gender reveals so you'll get a load of shitty comments on here!!!

ThisMammaCat · 22/01/2021 22:34

Congratulations on your baby OP!

I don't have any useful ideas for a reveal, but I like the feel good news story and sending everyone cupcakes ideas previous posters mentioned!

I hope you decide on something you love and have a smooth time putting it into action!

khg1 · 22/01/2021 22:40

Congratulations, you must be very excited!

Re the gender reveal, personally I'd keep it to my parents as I'd find it a bit embarrassing including my friends.

But that depends on your group of friends, mine are quite cynical (in a nice way) and not prone to shows of emotion - they'd be pleased I was expecting but would find it a bit cringeful being recorded while I tell them whether it's a boy or girl. As would I.

Don't let that stop you though, you know your friends and family far better than any of us randoms on mumsnet... and I hope you enjoy telling people your fantastic news.