I'm 16weeks pregnant.I'm goin for an ultrasound.Am I far along enough to possibly find out the sex of my baby?

Question

Please someone let me know what the chances are of the doctors being able to determine the sex of the baby through ultrasound. If anyone has any websites that can help, because i am only allowed 1 ultrasound and i don't want to waste it. I must find out if my baby is a boy or girl so i can be prepared. thank you all!

Answer 1

Possibly, but not likely. If you are lucky and have a very skilled technician then yes.

Answer 2

I am an ultrasound technician specializing in OB/GYN.

The best time to determine gender is around 18-20 weeks. That is when the accuracy becomes more reliable. It is not unheard of to see the gender earlier and it can be done as early as 16 weeks, with less accuracy. Personally, I would not trust a gender determination before 18 weeks as the genders can look very much alike into the early 2nd trimester. Females can have swallen labia and clitoris and males can have a retracted penis.

That said, it is NOT appropriate to base the timing of an ultrasound examination on the best time to see gender! Your doctor will determine the best time for you to receive the exam and there are many reasons why your doctor may order your exam earlier or later. However, it would not be inappropriate for you to question your doctor about the timing.

I realize you are excited about learning the gender. But understand this: Your insurance company is not paying for an ultrasound so that you can learn the gender. The ultrasound is the first physical examination your baby will receive. The technician will obtain images which will allow the interpreting physician (usually a radiologist or sonologist) to rule out fetal structural abnormalities, confirm dating, assess amniotic fluid volume, evaluate the placenta and cervix, and assess fetal moverment. HUNDREDS of things are being evaluated, ruled out, or confirmed. It is a serious exam and even though it is fun for you the technician has an important job to do. Please don't lose sight of that.

I hope you are able to learn your baby's gender. But I hope even more your baby is healthy.

Answer 3

I went in for my ultrasound at 15 weeks, and they said it was MAYBE going to be a boy. They ended up being right. But I couldn't take the chance while I was pregnant, so I got everything in generic colors. Usually they can't tell for sure until 18-20 weeks. And even then, sometimes the baby will keep it's little legs crossed, so you can't see anyway! :o)

You don't need to know the sex of the baby to be prepared. They still make everything in unisex colors! Like, yellow and green. Plus, I thought it was more fun not knowing for sure. :o)

Answer 4

If you only get 1 ultrasound I would wait like around 6 months where your baby is active and bigger. I had my first ultrasound at 15 weeks and the tech told me that the baby legs were closed. My second was 18 weeks and the tech said he don't like to tell this early but it seems like it's a girl. I get another when I am 28 weeks. Well Good Luck!!!!!!!

Answer 5

Yes, you can see the baby's sex at 16 weeks. But if you are only allowed one ultrasound for your entire pregnancy, then you should wait until after 24 weeks. This way the doctor can tell you the sex and get a good diagnosis on the fetus's progress.

The first part is fact and the second part is personal knowledge. Source below...

Answer 6

Yes, from my understanding, you can find out even much earlier from an ultrasound.

If you only have one ultrasound, though, I would talk to the doctor to find out when the best time to have one is, as there may be a need for one for health reasons later on.

What preparation do you need? My wife and I did not find out the sex of the baby until birth. As far as clothes and room color are concerned, you can go with neutral colors such as white, green, or yellow. What other reason could there be to have to know now?

Answer 7

Why are they doing it so early? Usually they will do one at 20 weeks or so to check the baby's heart and kidneys. Sometimes they can catch any problems that cannot be seen earlier. One thing that you should do is drink a cup of coffee or something else with caffine so the baby is awake. When I went in at 19 weeks the baby was asleep and wouldn't open it's legs, but since I am high-risk I am having ultra sounds every 3-4 weeks.

Answer 8

it's possible to find out at this time, but not likely. at 16 weeks you';d need a pretty high level ultrasound.
just ask and they will tell you if they can see or not.

i'm interested in why they are doing only 1 ultrasdound at 16 weeks?? usually the big ultrasound is done around 20 weeks and that's when you find out the gender and they measure all the baby's parts and bones, etc.

so, i'm not sure in your case. they may be able to tell, but no guarantee!

Take care!

Answer 9

you will usually have a songogram at 20 weeks to determine the sex of the baby... at 16 weeks I think they can tell although its harder to determine..you should wait at least a few more weeks to be sure. On the other hand dont wait too much past 20 weeks because as the baby grows it has less and less room so it is harder to tell the sex. Congratulations---I am almost 20 weeks myself so I know what you are going through..I cannot wait to find out.

Answer 10

I don't know about that, but some people think that the ultrasound is very loud for the baby. Sound travels much better in water. Ultrasounds are like banging on the side of a fishtank. Your sending shock waves into the womb and it's very loud for the baby.

Answer 11

Usually they can tell u at 19-20 weeks. Both my kids i found out at 19 weeks. So i don't know why they are giving u a scan that early. I suppose it depends on where u live. But i'm sure they'll be able 2 tell u. Good luck anyway. What r u hoping 4?