Ultrasound Question - Fort Wayne,IN

Updated on March 08, 2007
J.D. asks from Fort Wayne, IN
20 answers

Okay, so this question is more about "vanity" maybe than a question where I really need help. I had an ultrasound on Monday to determine how far along I am. My doctor determined that I am between 12 and 13 weeks. My question is, would the ultrasound show what gender my baby is at this point. I had a vaginal ultrasound which showed much more detail than a non-vaginal ultrasound would at this point. In fact, I was really impressed at how well I could see all the features of my baby. Let me get to the point, would it be possible to tell the sex of the baby at this point? The ultrasound technician was looking for my ovary or something and made the comment that she needed to move this boy out of the way. I don't know if she slipped, since I don't want to know this time, or if she just maybe said this by habit. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

What can I do next?

  • Add yourAnswer own comment
  • Ask your own question Add Question
  • Join the Mamapedia community Mamapedia
  • as inappropriate
  • this with your friends

So What Happened?

Thanks to all who responded. I can definitely sleep better now. I didn't think she would be able to tell yet so I am greatly relieved by you all sharing your personal experiences. I have found out what we were having with the other 3 but this time I want to be surprised so I am glad that I don't know yet. Besides, I am kind of hoping for a girl to balance out the family so at least I can still hope for that. Thanks again!!!

Featured Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.D.

answers from Fort Wayne on

when I had my daughter 4 years ago, they told me you could actually see the sex of the baby at 11 weeks. However they dont like to tell you the sex of the baby because at 11 weeks there is much more room for error. I hope this helps :-)

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.C.

answers from Louisville on

THERE ARE A LOT OF THINGS TO FACTOR BUT i FOUND OUT WITH BOTH OF MY GIRLS THROUGH A VAGINAL AT FIFTEEN WEEKS. THEY WERE CORRECT BUT YOU CANT ALWAYS TELL. SO THERE'S A POSSIBLITY THAT SHE WAS ABLE TO TELL BUT NOT A DEFINATE. gOOD LUCK

More Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

W.C.

answers from Terre Haute on

You usually can't tell that early. That is what I always have been told. Mine were never determined until about 20 weeks so,they knew for sure. All babies start off as males anyway until you get further along to tell the difference. Hope this helps. Good luck and Congradulations!!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

L.P.

answers from Louisville on

Well I had to wait until 18+ weeks for an ultrasound to tell the sex of the baby. A friend of mine found out at 16 weeks that she was having a boy, but she delivered a girl. My doctor told me anything before 18 weeks is too soon to tell. (I actually wanted mine at 16 weeks because my older daughter was going to be out of town with her dad for the summer by the time 18 weeks arrived, but they wouldn't do it before then.) You can't see or tell much before that. But also, my ultrasound tech told me up front that she refers to all fetuses as "him" until it is time to determine the sex. All the way through the ultrasound she kept saying "his heart looks good, here is his hand, ...... then she said, do you want to know the sex? It is a girl. So, to answer your question(s) it is too soon to tell much from an ultrasound, especially sex of the child, and the tech probably just uses that gender for all the babies she sees. Of course, that is not to say you aren't having a boy either. But at this point it is still to early to tell. Good luck with your pregnancy.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

K.H.

answers from Louisville on

way way way to early to tell!!! I had a vaginal ultrasound around the same time and they couldn't tell. She probably said boy just out of habit. I would rather her say boy than IT!!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.W.

answers from Lafayette on

I know on a regular ultrasound you have to be 4 to 6 months before they can tell, but having a vaginal I don't know. Ask the doctor. The sex is always a good thing to know if you're short on cash, so that you can plan accordingly for the things that the baby will need.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.S.

answers from Charleston on

No...it will usually show up at around 18 weeks for sure.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

K.B.

answers from Louisville on

HI! I gave birth to my third son 3 weeks ago. At 13 weeks, I had a vaginal 4D ultrasound. The doctor said then that she was fairly certain it was a boy, and to remind her at the next ultrasound that she had previously thought it was a boy. At 20 weeks, we did a second ultrasound, and discovered that he definately was a he!! So, yes, in my experience, if the male anatomy is there, it may very well be visable this early on!! Good luck to you!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

K.G.

answers from Lexington on

I would be very careful about basing any gender questions on what the tech said. My ex-sister-in-law was told by a VERY qualified doctor that her second child was going to be a girl. She was so convinced that she was having a girl based on what the doctor showed her on the ultrasound when she was 7 months along that she decorated the nursery for a girl, had girl baby showers and bought all girl toys and things...when she gave birth to my nephew on valentine's day she was so heartbroken that she had another boy she closed up the nursery. Her feelings ran so deep she never went into that room again and while there were other problems she and my brother-in-law were divorced within 2 years. I was pregnate with my 3rd child at the time and was going to the same doctor. When it was time for my ultrasound he refused to say what he thought my baby's gender was...even though you could very clearly see the boy part...
All babies are female until the 5th month when the hormones kick in to determine the sex of the baby. At your stage of development there are no male parts formed if it is to be a boy. So I am going to say that this tech probably calls all babys boy....just like sailors refer to all ships and boats as she. This form of speech is to help personalize your child instead of refering to your child as "it" or "the fetus" which can be very insulting to some people.

Just relax and enjoy this time...soon enoough you will be denied sleep and worrying about another phase of development such as will the baby potty train by 2 years old...can I feed them steak and taters by 3 months, will this child ever go to sleep on their own...lolol and this "event-problem" will lose it's importance and barely be a memory...lol
Good Luck and God Bless!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

K.G.

answers from South Bend on

In my experience it is usually around 14 weeks when the sex can be determined. If you do not want to know, just think of it as the tech way of calling all babies boys, kind of like when men talk about their cars. thay are always she or her.
As long as your baby is heathy, it should not matter or be that big of a deal. I am a mother of 4 and never wanted to know witha ny of mine.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

E.M.

answers from Louisville on

12 is a little early to tell, however around 15 weeks you can tell. its harder, but it is possable the best time to see is about 20 weeks. sometimes tecs say he or she with out thinking so i wouldnt use that... good luck i hope you have an easy pregnancy

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

F.T.

answers from Louisville on

No, you can't tell at an early ultrasound. The best time to see the sex of the baby is around 20 weeks when the genital area is well developed.

Good Luck

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.D.

answers from Muncie on

I'm not sure if it's possible to tell the sex that early or not. I'm 15 weeks and I had an ultra sound done at 10 weeks because I wasn't sure how far along I was but the only thing I could make out was the head, arms, legs and body. I guess anythings possible though. I guess I just always thought that you had to be like 4 months to actually be able to tell the gender.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

D.M.

answers from Charleston on

I think she was just calling the baby by what she wanted. I am not for sure but I don't think she was doing an anatomy ultrasound that is usually done around 18-20 weeks. One one of mine they called the baby a girl just because that was the comfort zone of the lady doing the ultrasound. ( I had a boy) and am 30 weeks pregnant with my second one. Congrats on the new addition to your family.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

L.

answers from Indianapolis on

I don't think you can really see anything until week 20. That is what my doc said when I was pregnant last year.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.M.

answers from Indianapolis on

I agree with Jacque F. I had a vaginal ultrasound done that early in pregnancy, too, and they couldn't tell. They couldn't tell me until I was 24 weeks along and they still weren't 100% b/c like Jacque said, they explained that girls genetals can be swollen to where it almost looks like a boy. They were only 80% sure it was a girl. It wasn't until we went for a 4D high-resolution scan that they could tell us it was definitely a girl. I wouldn't worry too much about it for now. I would just reiterate that you really don't want to know what it is. Make sure they are clear on that! :)

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.F.

answers from Elkhart on

I had an ultra-sound at 12 weeks for the same reason, and the tech said it's really difficult to tell, since the female genetalia can be swollen and be the male parts aren't developed enough to tell for sure. I had another ulta-sound at 20 weeks and was told they could be 85% sure what it was. They still wouldn't give me a definite and I wanted to know. ( I have two wonderful little boys, and would love to add a girl this time to the family). The tech you saw may have just said "he" instead of "it" when referring to the baby. I wouldn't put too much into it.
I'm due June 4, Hope your pregancy is going well.
God Bless <>< J.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

K.W.

answers from South Bend on

Hi J.,
I was about that far a long when I had my ultrasound done, it was a nonvag ultrasound, and they told us what he was but we wanted to know. Did she ask you if you wanted to know the sex or not? It may have been a slip but then again it may have been just her use to saying that. The only way to know that really, I would think, is asking that tech. I know I am not that much help. But, I hope I helped at least a little. I agree with what some of the other said as to no matter what they tell you about the sex they won't tell you 100% otherwise it is a liability on their part. Like mine told me they were 83% sure it was a boy but you always have that other 17% that it is a girl. They can't be positive until the little guy or gal comes out.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

D.B.

answers from Kokomo on

Wait until you are about 20 to 24 weeks along... that's about when I found out the gender of mine... well anyways good luck!

A.R.

answers from St. Louis on

Hello J.,

At this point of your pregnancy is difficult for your doctor to know if your baby is he or she. Those organs are still developing, so is hard to distinguish from "outdoors".
I always say to my friends who are pregnant that it is very important to ask doctors questions even if they seem silly or boring for them because they won't. Ask always any doubt, or make any comment that help you feel comfortable or safe with your pregnancy.
I remember I had with my last baby the vaginal ultrasound, and ..yes! I could see him more clearly and in more detail..it is beautiful!
Congratulations on your new baby!!!

Alejandra

PS A Book "What to Expect When you're Expecting" is a great book, that helped me to find out all the details about my pregnancy which I had forgotten...my first kid is 6 yrs old and my baby is 11 mo-old!!

For Updates and Special Promotions
Follow Us

Related Questions

Related Searches