Question for Team Green...how to keep it a surprise?

HeyJune

We found out our baby's sex at 18 weeks with our last pregnancy, and we've decided to wait until delivery day this time around. 

I'll be having a repeat c-section. I have a fear that someone along the way, maybe a nurse, ultrasound tech, or the doctor will accidentally give away the baby's sex. There just seem to be a lot of instances where it could slip unintentionally. I've heard of this happening so many times to others that I'm becoming more and more concerned about it. I guess it is because most people find out, so a lot of healthcare providers assume you know.

Any ideas on how to make sure it is kept a secret? Could I ask that my dr put a note in my chart? Do they make a note for anyone performing ultrasounds after the 20 week one? I'd rather find out at 20 weeks with my DH present than in an exam room by myself at a random appointment (or 15 minutes before delivery when someone accidentally ruins the surprise). Advice from those who've been team green before?

juliane2004

Yup, this is a possibility, that someone will slip. But I was told that it's not in my OB's chart (they never see/know the gender), and I will specifically tell all u/s techs NOT to tell me.

kayetbug

We were team green the first time around and had no issues with this.  My doctor never knew what we were having though because we would go to a different location for a/s.  I would just make sure the tech knows and your doc knows and you should be good.  Also keep in mind that some peole say he/she when talking about the baby so they don't have to call baby an it (this is what our  tech told us).

flyer23

We were Team Green with DS, but our last ultrasound was the 20w a/s, and the tech didn't note the sex in the report. So there was no way for our midwife to know. Unless you have any special concerns, personally, I'd decline any ultrasounds past 20 weeks anyway, and that makes it easy to avoid an accidental slip-up.

This baby has a kidney issue, so I've already had two follow-up u/s's after the a/s, and have another one next month. The perinatologist doing the follow-ups asked his assistant to put that I don't want to know the sex in big letters on the front of my file. So far, so good, but I know that every ultrasound carries a risk of a slip-up... it's obviously worth it to keep an eye on that kidney, and I'm just hoping for the best.

one more makes four

This is my 4th time being Team Green and I haven't had anyone slip up yet.  (knock on wood!)  I made it very clear with the ultrasound tech that we didn't want to know, and my doctor's office doesn't keep that info in their charts.  At my last OB appt the midwife asked if I knew what we were having and I said "no", and she replied that she didn't either.  If you are worried, I would just tell the first person you speak to at your next appt. (likely the nurse) that you do NOT want to know to avoid any accidents.  You can also ask if the info is in your charts.  Congrats to staying strong and waiting!

LouRN09

We were Team Green last time around and had no problem at all. After my 20 week appt, I rotated and saw a new Doc every time and each appt, they asked if I knew what I was having. It was as if the sex isnt customarily noted in the chart. So, that was good! I only had one ultrasound so we didnt have any other worry of a tech or anything slipping up.

megan777

lurker charming in: My experience is no different than what the other posted, but I wanted to add a few things. When I went in for my U/S (a/s - whatever! LOL!) I told the tech that if she saw, or had to look, (some offices do require gender to be listed in the charts, mine doesn't) just to refer to the baby as "he" so I couldn't read into anything- I made the same comment to my Dr. at which he replied "girls and boys both breathe the same so it won't be documented in your chart." Summary of that story is just that if your office does require the gender to be listed, start off every visit stating/reminding that you are no finding out the gender and to refer to the baby as one gender or the other so you don't read into anything. Also be sure to remind the girls/nurses in the hospital because they will be unfamilar with your history and if they end up doing an u/s for whatever reason, you don't want them to ruin it at the very end either!

ADub09

The only person who knows the sex of our baby is the u/s tech at our a/s.  My OB and no one at his office knows.  Sorry no one will be slipping up with us!!

cstw

Yes, you just repeat that "We don't know what we're having so don't tell me if you see something!" to all nurses and US tech. My doc instructs them not to even write it on my chart so that even she doesn't know and won't slip. Nobody ruined any surprises for us last time. Just be proactive in letting everyone know NOT to say anything.

apple_green

It's not in my file, so nobody knows. Even the U/S tech said she didn't look in that area and didn't know. She may have been lying, IDK.

SunAndRain

I remind the tech at each US that we are waiting to find out the sex.  It isn't written in our chart.  In fact, she doesn't bother to check it since we don't want to know.

pixieprincss

We had our a/s yesterday. The sonographer didn't record the sex, so it won't be in the chart for anyone to spill the beans on.

PhillyGal34

We had our a/s yesterday. We told her right off the bat that we didn't want to know and I asked that the sex not be put in the report. She said they will only put the sex in if there is a medical reason (like a disease that will pass to females. I believe it was something with the kidney) but she writes a note next to it that it is a secret.  As long as you tell them they seem to be good about it. 

 

But know that they often say "he" no matter what. So if they do don't think they spilled it!! 

GypsyEsq

Ditto everyone else - never documented in our chart soon possibility of slipping. Our OB was as surprised as we were with DD.