PINK OR BLUE?
By far, the most common question I get asked is “how early can you determine gender”? The answer, unfortunately, is not a straightforward one. My number one priority is accuracy. The further along a pregnancy is, the easier it is to determine gender. My policy is: if you are 18 weeks or more and for some reason I am unable to determine gender, then I will bring you back free of charge.
It is often possible and sometimes easy (in small to average moms) to determine gender as early as 16 weeks, and on occasion, I have done it even earlier (depending on the circumstances).However, maternal estrogen levels are high in early pregnancies and if they cross the placental membranes they can cause the genitalia to swell and it can be very difficult to differentiate a scrotal sac from a swollen labia. My approach is an honest one. If I have a mom who is under 18 weeks that presents for gender determination, I will do my best to work with the baby to get an accurate assessment, however, I don’t make guesses. I inform each and every mom that comes into BabyView of the possibility that gender may not be seen in the earlier pregnancies and I leave the choice to them. A good rule of thumb is this- if you can see a baby clearly in a 2D ultrasound (black and white) then you will most likely see it clearly in 3D.
What to expect when you come to BabyView for a gender scan and how long does it take?
As I said before, the most common question I get asked is “how early can you determine gender?”. The second most asked question is “how long does it take?”.
The answer to that question depends solely on the baby and his or her position. Depending on the baby, there are times when I can pop the probe on and there it is, clear as day! Conversely, and more often than not, I have to work to change the baby’s position and that can take some time. That is the reason I do not assign a time to my gender scans. I have been doing this now for decades so I pretty much know what to do to get the baby into the position I want- how quickly they do it, is up to them! Typically it only takes me a few minutes but there are always exceptions and I have had an occasional mom in BabyView for as long as 30 minutes. The bottom line is- I will spend whatever time necessary to make an accurate assessment. Most of the time it will take me 5 minutes or less, but sometimes it can take a lot longer.
What to expect?
Moms and dads (and family too) will be able to watch the ultrasound on a variety of monitors while I am determining the gender. After I have seen the sex multiple times in several different positions, I will announce the gender and point it out on the screen with an arrow. I will show you the baby in 2D and 3D and we will listen to the heartbeat! After that, you can go shopping!
Note to all-
Gender in young babies is always determined in 2D no matter where you go. It is the most accurate way to see the sex. Once it is determined in 2D it may be possible to see in 3D but that is usually possible in older babies only. If it is possible, then I will attempt to show it in 3D but if not, we will look at the baby in 3D anyway.
Just one last point I’d like to make. When you go for your diagnostic scan and you are told they cannot see the gender, it does not mean the gender cannot be determined. It means that the technologist has used his/her allotted time to assess your baby’s health. If you choose to come to BabyView for a gender scan then I will determine the gender- whatever it takes. It is very rare that I am unable to do so, but if that is the case, I will happily bring you back-free of charge (as long as you are 18 weeks or more)!
If you have any further questions, I encourage you to please contact my office and I will be more than happy to speak with you. Thank you for taking the time to read my post!
Tags: 3D gender, gender determination
