J.S. asks from Springfield, MO on March 17, 2008
Finding Out Baby's Gender
I have an ultrasound tomorrow. With this being my fourth baby, I was thinking it would be fun to wait until the baby is born before finding out the gender. Everyone else, family, my kids, and my husband, want to know the baby's gender. I feel like it's a decision I'm not allowed to make anymore. I think it would be easier to know at times, but realistically, this is my last child and I've always found out what I'm having before they were born. No one is planning a baby shower, and no one has asked about getting anything for the baby. They just want to know what it is. Has anyone else kept it a surprise until birth? Should I just get it over with and find out what we're having? I'm getting a little annoyed at the criticism on what I was wanting to do.
So What Happened?™
I almost broke down and tried to find out, but I held out! My husband doesn't know either, but he tried to get the ultrasound tech to tell him while I was in the bathroom. She wouldn't. I'm relieved and excited that I didn't give in and try to find out. It was a little difficult not to. I also heavily thought about having the tech write it down and put it in the envelope, but since I forgot to bring one, I decided it was for the better anyhow because it would have tempted me further.
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L.M. answers from St. Louis on March 19, 2008
Good for you! I think you'll be glad you waited :) I was a single parent so I wanted to find out what I was having so I could plan better and when I had a shower I could get boy-specific things. So it was a practical decision for me. But if I had another one, I would definitely wait this time. You made the right decision. Everyone else is just being NOSY! Tee hee! How exciting will that be when you have the baby...
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C.B. answers from Kansas City on March 18, 2008
i know it's too late but i just wanted to say i think it's great that you are waiting - especially since you are on your 4th - and like you said, if no one is planning a shower for you, i don't think you should worry about "pleasing" other people. it will be a wonderful moment when you have it and *surprise!* find out what you've been blessed with. i think it's great - and YES you're allowed to be selfish right now. it's the only time (before it comes out!) that you will be! you know already, once they're out it's all about them lol. congrats in advance!
M.N. answers from St. Louis on March 17, 2008
Hopefully you will receive this message before your ultrasound.
--This is a child that YOU will be carrying for almost 10 months. This baby could be A Great Family Surprise. Maybe the next thought will help your husband's change of heart, (if he is not spiritual, you can change the God part to fit your husbands personality). If he still wants to know, take Linda B's advice and have him put his knowledge away in his memory banks and make mums the word, I would not suggest letting the kid-do's in on the word, though--they are too young to keep that a secret.
Hoping for a change of Heart: My cousin said it best: we--people-- know, plan, take everything granted in life, this is one surprise, one gift that God gives us that is a true blessed surprise, let God give that to you and your family.
In His Love, M. N.
P.S. Truth be told J., I had to know about my one for anxiety purposes, but I often wonder and ponder over what joy my counsin experienced six times.
This is your time.---enJOY.
L.B. answers from St. Joseph on March 17, 2008
My sister didn't want to know what she was having on either of her kids (she has 2)...so the tech wrote it down and put it in an envelope. Hubby wanted to know so he opened it but only told people who were buying things (and giving them after the birth) what she was having. Everyone was mum's the word around my sis for the whole time. That way she got what she wanted and everyone else got what they wanted....can't say that will work for you with such young kids...I don't know that they can keep the secret, but I would certainly let hubby know that if he wants to find out he can but to keep it to himself.
D.A. answers from St. Louis on March 17, 2008
This is your baby and you and your husband should do what is good for your family! Good luck...
G.B. answers from Kansas City on March 18, 2008
I think this one of the few times a mom can be selfish. If you want it to be a surprise, then so be it. I envy those who have the patience to wait to find out the gender, there's no way I could have handled the suspense!
J.G. answers from Kansas City on March 17, 2008
I personally hate surprises and I am a planner so I found out what I was having...however; my sister did not find out with either of hers. She had a boy with her first and I have to say it was really cool to walk into the room after she had the second baby not knowing what she had. She ended up with a little girl and it was a great surprise. She also said that not finding out just added to the joy of having her babies. Plus you've already had three, maybe it's time to add a little spice to the birth :)
M.H. answers from Kansas City on March 18, 2008
I don't know if you will get this before your ultrasound today, but my suggestion would be to have the tech write it down and stuff it in an envelope since you are still undecided about whether to find out. I am due in June with my first baby and do NOT know the gender. I have always wanted a surprise, and I kinda feel like it is my prize for getting through labor and delivery!!! I was VERY disappointed with the criticism I got from everyone in the begining, but I am not about to ruin my surprise for their nosiness(is that a word?!) I would tell them that I am happy with my decision and the doctor is fine with it too. (It kinda puts the guilt on them for not thinking of a healthy baby over knowing gender!) I am still having a baby shower, and just asking for things like crib sheets, matress pads, gift cards towards the purchase of stroller and play yard, monitor, socks, diaper bag, etc. There are tons of gender nuetral things out there. Besides, it will be heat of summer and all the baby will wear is onsies and diapers anyways! My family also makes a game out of betting what gender, what day, and what time the baby will be born. Ha! Good Luck with your decision!
~Meg
L.M. answers from St. Louis on March 19, 2008
Good for you! I think you'll be glad you waited :) I was a single parent so I wanted to find out what I was having so I could plan better and when I had a shower I could get boy-specific things. So it was a practical decision for me. But if I had another one, I would definitely wait this time. You made the right decision. Everyone else is just being NOSY! Tee hee! How exciting will that be when you have the baby...
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