Studies have highlighted that there is pretty much a 50/50 split in terms of those who want to know the sex of their child before birth and those who don’t. The decision to find out the gender of your unborn child is a personal one, but it can also be a highly emotive one.
There are a number of reasons why you might or might not want to book a 16-week gender scan.
Pure and simple curiosity is one of the biggest motivators. 40 weeks is a long time to wait to know something that is going to have such a significant impact on your life. If there is a way of finding out earlier, then why not take advantage of it?
Because the technology and the availability of private gender scans are now so prevalent, they are becoming the affordable norm rather than an expensive privilege.
However, there are those who would prefer not to know. There are, after all, very few (nice) surprises left in life. If you have no preconceived preferences as to whether you want a boy or girl, then spending a few weeks in ignorant bliss might be a gentle and focused way of enjoying your pregnancy.
How do I book gender scans near me?
If you have made that personal decision to book a gender scan because you simply do not want to wait (and who can blame you!), then booking couldn’t be simpler. A quick ‘gender scans near me’ search on the internet will throw up a number of options in your neighbourhood, offering online booking options.
From what stage can I book my private gender scan?
16 weeks is the earliest you are advised to book a gender scan if you want to have the most accurate reading. Although it is possible to ascertain the gender of your baby before this, there is no guarantee that it will be 100 per cent accurate. From around 16 or 17 weeks, that degree of accuracy increases significantly.
How accurate is the pregnancy gender scan?
Having said that, most sonographers will have done literally thousands of scans with a near-perfect level of accuracy. The most important fact is that they will work with you and be honest with you if there is any doubt at all.
Do I need to drink my weight in water before the scan?
Not quite, but you will need to drink as much water as you can stomach about 20 minutes before the scan.
What happens if the gender scan is wrong?
Normally a sonographer will not reveal the gender of a baby unless they are absolutely certain of the sex. If there is any doubt during the scan, then they will voice this doubt to you. It may be that the baby is in an awkward position or that it is still slightly too early to make a firm determination. In this instance, they may want you to walk around a bit to try and encourage the baby to shift into a better position. Alternatively, you may just have to rebook and wait another week or so!
We’re planning a party – can you keep the results under wrap?
Gender reveal parties are certainly becoming more and more popular. Elaborate and unique ways of revealing the gender have been the focus of many reality TV shows. As parents, you, too, can be kept in the dark until ‘the great unveiling’ at your event. When you book your private pregnancy scan, let the team know that you do not want to be informed of the baby’s gender and that you want to put the results into a sealed envelope which can then be passed on to your party planner (or trusted friend tasked with organising the actual reveal). This way, you can enjoy the surprise as much as you would during the birth, but you won’t have to wait so long!
What if I am disappointed by my gender scan results?
Although you might not want to admit it, you are secretly hoping for a girl/boy. Unfortunately, your gender scan results show that you are in for a disappointment. That little girl you were daring to dream about is actually a boy. Or that rumbunctious little boy is actually a little girl.
Many people report being surprised by these intense feelings of disappointment. The most important thing to do is to acknowledge those feelings and work through them by being gentle with yourself. Determining the gender of a child is one area over which we have absolutely no control. By finding out earlier rather than later, you have given yourself extra time to get used to the idea and to start building up new levels of excitement and joy again.
If you really don’t want to wait any longer, you can book a private gender scan at one of Ultrasound’s UK clinics. Contact us to book online.
