When does your OB check..?

jennilarkspur

My OB says he likes to wait until at least 20 weeks to check for the sex of a baby.  My next visit is at 16 1/2 weeks, and I'm getting to be so curious.  Anyone else have a doctor waiting this long?  When did you find out?

jennilarkspur

angi3o said:

Hmm, that's weird. My doctor doesn't do an u/s to check the baby's sex... He does an u/s to check for defects or abnormalities and if baby cooperates to find out sex that's just a bonus. Maybe I should complain...

I know you're right. I want my baby to be healthy more than anything else.  We have some very real concerns right now.  But my curiosity is eating at me.

jennilarkspur

RedheadBaker said:

Sigh. 

You have an ANATOMY SCAN (not a gender or sex scan) at 20 weeks because that is when it most optimal for the doctor to measure the heart, brain, and other organs and limbs. Finding out the sex (if the baby cooperates) is just a bonus. 

I'm definitely aware of this.  Just wondering how common it is for a doc to identify sex at what timeframe.  Everyone keeps asking blue or pink, boy or girl?  And now I can't help but wondering, myself.  I guess I'm not supposed to be so preoccupied with these thoughts, but it's on my mind so many times a day.  The curiosity is overwhelming.

DH thinks I've just found a way to stop obsessing over the baby's medical condition by obsessing over it's sex.  Maybe he's right..

jennilarkspur

unconventionalatbest said:

Well, my midwife didn't do an anatomy scan until 22 weeks.  It is generally between 20 and 22 so they can see all the parts they need to.  

I appreciate the input.  Thank you.

janda426

My anatomy scan was at 21 weeks. Get an elective ultrasound if you're so curious.

jennilarkspur

janda426 said:

My anatomy scan was at 21 weeks. Get an elective ultrasound if you're so curious.

My OB has done an ultrasound every 2-4 weeks.  My next U/S is Dec 3rd.  He just doesn't like to identify sex until at least 20 weeks.

taahira

You can go to an elective ultrasound, they are mostly used to find out the sex. Most places are from 16 weeks onwards.

jennilarkspur

taahira said:

You can go to an elective ultrasound, they are mostly used to find out the sex. Most places are from 16 weeks onwards.

Herein lies my quandry.  I will be 16 1/2 weeks at the next one.  But OB prefers identifying sex after 20 weeks.  :-/  It seems as though I will probably not be finding out at that point.  But I am highly curious if other have been able to find out earlier.

theinvadermothership

Yes, you can find out earlier, however a lot of docs and midwives prefer to wait until the 20 week scan as most of us only have u/s at 8 and 12 weeks before the 20th week. If you're so curious and your ob won't budge, you're going to have to either wait or go pay money some place else to find out sex. It will be an out of pocket cost, as insurance companies only cover medically necessary u/s. That decision is yours, but those are your options.

Unknown

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taahira

jennilarkspur said:

taahira said:

You can go to an elective ultrasound, they are mostly used to find out the sex. Most places are from 16 weeks onwards.

Herein lies my quandry.  I will be 16 1/2 weeks at the next one.  But OB prefers identifying sex after 20 weeks.  :-/  It seems as though I will probably not be finding out at that point.  But I am highly curious if other have been able to find out earlier.

Yes you can find out as early as 15/16 weeks. If your OB won't tell you at that ultrasound, and you really want to know there are places you can pay to have a sneak peak of your LO and they will tell you the sex.

PrimRoseMama

jennilarkspur said:

My OB says he likes to wait until at least 20 weeks to check for the sex of a baby.  My next visit is at 16 1/2 weeks, and I'm getting to be so curious.  Anyone else have a doctor waiting this long?  When did you find out?

My doctor won't perform an anatomy scan (including checking out the genitals) until 20-24 weeks. Even then I had to go back for other measurements because my babies are wiggle worms.

I believe the average is 18 weeks for the full anatomy scan. The purpose of which, is not just to tell you how to decorate your nursery.

PrimRoseMama

jennilarkspur said:

janda426 said:

My anatomy scan was at 21 weeks. Get an elective ultrasound if you're so curious.

My OB has done an ultrasound every 2-4 weeks.  My next U/S is Dec 3rd.  He just doesn't like to identify sex until at least 20 weeks.


Are you high risk?

jennilarkspur

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janda426 said:

My anatomy scan was at 21 weeks. Get an elective ultrasound if you're so curious.

My OB has done an ultrasound every 2-4 weeks.  My next U/S is Dec 3rd.  He just doesn't like to identify sex until at least 20 weeks.

Are you high risk?

Baby's intestines haven't fully migrated back into the body, several fibroids, some bleeding. OB is monitoring closely.

[Deleted User]

The user and all related content has been deleted.

tinyjoys

RedheadBaker said:

Sigh. 

You have an ANATOMY SCAN (not a gender or sex scan) at 20 weeks because that is when it most optimal for the doctor to measure the heart, brain, and other organs and limbs. Finding out the sex (if the baby cooperates) is just a bonus. 

Actually, I'll be having a sex scan within my doctors office at 18 weeks. I'll have the anatomy scan at 20 weeks in the ultrasound lab in the hospital. 

tinyjoys

We found out with my first at 18 weeks and we'll find out with this one, assuming s/he cooperates at 18 weeks again. 

JNCPro3130

I found out at 20 weeks. As anxious as I was to find out, I think waiting made me feel better because it is more accurate than 16 weeks.

sschwege

smeame14 said:

RedheadBaker said:

Sigh. 

You have an ANATOMY SCAN (not a gender or sex scan) at 20 weeks because that is when it most optimal for the doctor to measure the heart, brain, and other organs and limbs. Finding out the sex (if the baby cooperates) is just a bonus. 

Actually, I'll be having a sex scan within my doctors office at 18 weeks. I'll the anatomy scan at 20 weeks in the ultrasound lab in the hospital. 

----------Quote fail------------- I guess I find this odd: you are going to have an ultrasound with your OB just to find out the sex, but then two weeks (or so) later you are having your anatomy scan???? Why not do both at the same time? Unless there is an issue going on yhat needs to be observed.

Some doctors do this.  My cousin was told that if the u/s room was open before her scheduled anatomy scan the doctor would, 'take a quick peek to tell her what she was having.'  Pretty annoying if you ask me since I'm sure insurance picks up the bill for these unnecessary tests all because the parents couldn't wait a couple of weeks and I'm sure the office is happy to bill for it!

tinyjoys

smeame14 said:

RedheadBaker said:

Sigh. 

You have an ANATOMY SCAN (not a gender or sex scan) at 20 weeks because that is when it most optimal for the doctor to measure the heart, brain, and other organs and limbs. Finding out the sex (if the baby cooperates) is just a bonus. 

Actually, I'll be having a sex scan within my doctors office at 18 weeks. I'll the anatomy scan at 20 weeks in the ultrasound lab in the hospital. 

----------Quote fail------------- I guess I find this odd: you are going to have an ultrasound with your OB just to find out the sex, but then two weeks (or so) later you are having your anatomy scan???? Why not do both at the same time? Unless there is an issue going on yhat needs to be observed.

My OB does scans in house at every appointment, and spends all of 5 minute on the scans. He outsources to the ultrasound lab for a more indepth, longer scan for the official measurements and anatomy scan.

Flowerstar1023

You could get an elective scan if you can't wait. My doctor won't do an anatomy scan until you're exactly 20 weeks or later (Due to work scheduling with my husband and I I'd tried to see if we could do it at 19 weeks and 1 day and was told no). But you'll find out really soon regardless!

sbride68

We will have our anatomy scan at 21 weeks (the Monday before Christmas! :] ) my dr usually waits until 21-22 weeks but DH's cousin said her dr will not do one until 24 weeks at least

jennilarkspur

Thank you so much for all the responses!

Amstreagle

I don't have anything in regards to finding out the sex of your baby but thoughts and prayers everything gets on track and you have a healthy LO.