when do you for sure know the sex of your baby?

Question

I had my first transvaginal ultrasound two days ago and my next anywhere between 18-20 weeks. Is that when I find out? How do I know everything is ok between now and then? That is 12 weeks from now. I am currently only 8.3 weeks. Can I fake stomach problems to get an earlier check up ultrasound? I wouldnt want to fake something like that but I am a very big worry wort and I dont want to have to wait 12 weeks for the next ultrasound.

Answer 1

LOL ... and I laugh because you sound like me when I was pregnant with my son! I was so very desperate to find out what his sex was that I was willing to pay for a 3D utrasound at 13 weeks. Most OBs will schedue the sonogram between 16-20 weeks to tell you the sex. True enough you *could* pretend that something is wrong to try to get in earlier, but nine times out of 10 they aren't going to do an ultrasound. Most drs don't like to do very many ultrasounds because, believe it or not, the jury is not in on whether or not frequent ultrasounds are harmful for the baby.

Believe me, 12 weeks seems like an eternity when you think about it, but it will be here before you know it. I, too, had my 1st ultrasound at 8 weeks, then another at 20, and I didn't think that 20 weeks would EVER come, but when it did, I was glad that I had waited because that was one of the greatest moments of my pregnancy.

Enjoy getting to know your developing baby and enjoy all the changes that are happening to your body. Your big day will be here before you know it!

p.s. I am a worry wart too, and I wondered the same thing ... "How do I know everything is okay?" Just rest asssured that if yo are doiing everything that you should be to take care of your body for your baby, that everything should be fine.

Answer 2

The reason why you have a "formal" ultrasound at 18-20 weeks is because that is when the fetus is large enough to do some actual measurements of the head, arms, legs, etc. You can't really begin to determine the gender of the fetus until then, either, due to the fact that the kid is still very tiny and indistinct at 8 weeks.
The doctor may do another vaginal ultrasound at 12 weeks if you ask, just to settle your concerns, but most doctors wouldn't do an ultrasound because of "stomach problems". You don't really have to worry about much at this stage of the pregnancy unless you start to cramp and/or have blood spotting, which could indicate a real problem, like a miscarriage.
By the way, ultrasound checks for gender determination are not 100%, but are more accurate if the baby cooperates by having their legs open!
Enjoy this time - congratulations and best wishes!

Answer 3

I was told that the earliest you can find out is between 18-20 weeks because that's when the sex organs are formed. I found out that I was having a boy at 18 weeks. I'm 20 weeks now. Don't worry, this will all go by fast and you'll be finding out the sex in no time!!! But ultrasounds aren't 100% accurate. The only real way to know for sure is when the baby arrives.

Congratulations and good luck!

Answer 4

The reason they can't tell till about 16-18 weeks or later is because the sex organs are to small to see until then. And then its not 100% correct even if they can tell and sometimes if the baby is is the wrong position they can't tell anyway. As with you faking a stomach pains they are going to be more worried about why and if they give you an ultrasound they won't take the time to look for sex just to see if they baby is ok.

Answer 5

It is scary to have to wait all that time to make sure the baby is alright. But if you already had an ultrasound that should put your mind at ease a bit. If there was any case for concern they would not wait that long for a second one. As far as determining the sex of the baby... good luck. With my first I went in at twenty weeks and the lady doing my ultrasound told me it was a girl and that if she was wrong she would give me her house. I ended up with a girl that time. I am pregnant now and went in for my twenty week ultrasound ready to find out the sex and had no such luck. I am 34 weeks pregnant now and the baby has yet to let us all know if I should be buying pink or blue.. When it comes to babies the only time you can usually be certain of their sex is if it is a boy or when it pops out you. Good luck.

Answer 6

Hi mommy worry,
I rejoice with you! Hooray. Praise God. 10 points for the home team.
a) The ultrasound is normally able to pick up the sex of the baby.
b) You would learn very little if anything by going in early as the necessary parts aren't formed clearly enough.
c) The wait is naturally anxious. The reason is you are in the stage where you don't have to worry. Too young for preemie or to find any problems.
d) If you need to worry - figure out how you will get all the chocolate pickle sandwiches you need in the last trimester.

Answer 7

You know for certain when your baby is born, or you get the results via amnio. Anything else there's still a chance the results could be wrong--a very, very small chance.

Of course, an ultrasound is about 98% accurate, and studies show that mother's intuition is about 79% accurate.

Your next ultrasound will probably not be a transvaginal one; rather it will be transabdominal and you will most likely be able to tell the gender from that u/s with pretty good certainty.

Answer 8

Usually around 20 weeks you find out the sex. And as long as you're taking care of yourself, getting plenty to eat, sleep & not doing harmful things to yourself or your baby, you both should be fine. It's normal to feel nervous & anxious during the first 3 months of pregnancy, but i'm sure you'll be okay. Think of it this way- the doctor wouldn't make the ultrasound so far in advance if he had any reason to doubt you or the baby's health from now to then.

Answer 9

No one knows "for Sure" the sex of the baby until he/she is born, but usually it is between 16-20 weeks that they can tell on an ultrasound.

Answer 10

You can find out as early as 16 weeks, but even ultrasounds are not always 100% accurate. You will know everthing is ok by just listening to your body, and calling the doctor if abnormal symptoms come up suddenly...I don't suggest faking anything...just wait and relax!