Is there a possibility that they won't be able to tell gender at the anatomy scan?

Jenichael1217 · July 2015

I haven't been able to find any other thread discussing this, so it could be a dumb question!

Is there a possibility that they won't be able to tell us gender at the anatomy scan(19 weeks for me)? When I did the nuchal translucency screening at 12 weeks, baby was curled up in the fetal position so they couldn't even guess. I'm just wondering if it's possible for that to happen again or if by this point baby is big enough that we could see something regardless of baby's position.

taysun · July 2015

Baby might be uncooperative but if that's the case some other ladies have said they'll schedule another scan in a week or two.

grkgdss00 · July 2015

Yes there's always that possibility! but I'm sure you'll be fine...

BCIndychick · July 2015

My little brother while on the inside wouldn't cooperate for over a month! His foot was always folded up near his crotch. My step-mom eventually found out. He was two weeks over due as well. I was 9 then. He is still a stinker at 18. I'm hoping this doesn't happen to me on Wednesday or to you as well. Good luck!

misamima · July 2015

It's very possible, yes. The baby can be in a certain position where the tech can't see. I've heard drinking orange juice right before the appointment will get baby moving for a better chance to take a peek.

misamima · July 2015

Also, not to be snotty, but everyone knows the purpose of the anatomy scan is to literally look at the anatomy of the baby, right? I'm talking getting the size of the baby to make sure he/she is growing at a normal rate, heart chambers are checked, as well as bladder, lungs, kidneys, stomach, brain, etc. The sex of the baby is just a cherry on the top and not the main purpose of the scan.

rockinmathchic · July 2015

My first was a mover, started feeling flutters at 13/14 weeks, and full kicks (that hurt) by 18/19 weeks just before I had the anatomy scan. The tech we had spent about 45 min trying to get all the photos they needed for the anatomy scan and had to go get another tech because he was uncooperative and moving so much. He was having a tumbling party in there! Needless to say, it took over an hour to get everything, but they were still able to tell that he was a boy.

Good luck!

vera1127 · July 2015

Yep. I had to get another scan because we couldn't see anything!

Jenichael1217 · July 2015

@misamima That was the main point of my post. I figured that since the purpose of the scan is to check the health of the baby, the doctor wouldn't schedule another scan if we just couldn't see gender.

Thanks to the others that responded! Since it is my husband's child, it will probably be blocking just to aggravate us.

If that happens, I suppose we will either become team green (what dh was leaning toward anyway) or pay extra to have an elective us done.

Rusty NailHer · July 2015

My eldest daughter crossed her legs and they weren't able to tell. When she came out it was a surprise.

4puddleducks · July 2015

My DS was one of the uncooperative babies for determining the sex and getting the pics needed for the anatomy scan. I was being seen by Meternal Fetal Medicine for other reasons and was going to be seen in two weeks for a follow-up us anyways. It took four weeks and three ultrasounds to determine sex.

Yiggle09 · July 2015

Hello from september; At my twelve week my US tech said to eat a snack high in protein, not high in sugar to get a nice active baby. I had eaten bacon egg and cheese on a bagel and orange juice right before my 12 week and the baby was crazy inside me. The 20 week he was nice and active for a time and then fell asleep for other sensitive measurements. The US techs will have you cough or walk or roll from side to side to try to get baby to move if their foot or leg stays in the way and most times will allow a reschedule to "finish the anatomy scan" to get the sex because that is part of the anatomy. I ate peanut butter and apples for my 20 week. GL- hope you don't mind me butting in

rhonash · July 2015

misamima said:
Also, not to be snotty, but everyone knows the purpose of the anatomy scan is to literally look at the anatomy of the baby, right? I'm talking getting the size of the baby to make sure he/she is growing at a normal rate, heart chambers are checked, as well as bladder, lungs, kidneys, stomach, brain, etc. The sex of the baby is just a cherry on the top and not the main purpose of the scan.

Can I just say, that as an ultrasound tech, I absolutely love you! If only all my patients understood this. I get tired of moms crying on my scan table when the sex isn't what they were wanting, especially with a perfectly healthy baby.
And to answer OPs question, it's up to the baby to tell you what it is!! I do my absolute best to tell my patients what they are having. Hopefully you'll have a patient tech scanning you if baby is not being cooperative!

Mags128 · July 2015

Yup, my daughter kept her legs crossed for the full hour and a half. They guessed it was a girl because they couldn't see anything but they couldn't definitively state it. My doctor would not order another ultrasound just to find out the sex since they were able to get all the other measurements. We ended up paying to go to the 3d ultrasound places to find out. They confirmed it was a girl.

kanda0820 · July 2015

Yes, we had ours today and the baby was uncooperative. Kept showing its back side and stretching where they couldn't get a good look of the gender. They also couldn't get great pictures of the spinal cord and heart. The tech said we'll probably have to be back in a few weeks. Sigh.

kategancla · July 2015

Totally a possibility that baby won't cooperate. Just don't be that person who fakes abdominal pains and goes to the hospital for an extra scan covered by insurance (I've got some real classy cousins who pull crap like this). Baby will reveal himself/herself when ready!

BCIndychick · July 2015

@rhonash, thank you for reminding me of that fact. It is too easy to get wrapped up in with family and friends in the gender watch. It is defiantly a miracle (I don't use that word lightly) if the baby is healthy. After going through care of infants and families course in Nursing school i learned about many of the defects and things that can go wrong. It is scary. So again thanks! I appreciate your profession.

chelseymmcghee · July 2015

Drink a lemonade or something with sugar before so your LO will be a sugared up. That's what my dr suggested. I did that 30 mins before my 17 week appt and he was quite the wiggle worm and we easily got a glimpse of his turtle.

TomekiaB · July 2015

I needed to get my ultrasound early (19 weeks) because we are moving at 19 weeks and 3 days and my doctor does anatomy scan at 20-22 weeks. While my doctor definitely wanted the ultrasound done before I left he said he would hestitate to go shopping or buy paint based on a result from an ultrasound before 20 weeks but 22 weeks is really best. We will see how it goes in 2 weeks.

krystalann117 · July 2015

When my mom was pregnant with me, I was one of the uncooperative babies.. every time they did an ultrasound, I'd only show them my backside! I have a strong feeling that my baby is going to be equally as stubborn... at our NT ultrasound, baby was nestled down low all tight and the tech spent 45 min pushing and shaking my belly trying to wake it up.. it was a struggle for her to get the pics she needed! Then at the very end (after she finally gave up), there was a swift movement that I swear looked like a foot stomp! I'm just hoping they can get a good view of everything they need to check out this time, even if they can't tell the sex!

GodIsFaithful93 · July 2015

@rhonash I hope you don't mind me asking you but do US tech's let you know if everything looks good while you're in there? Do you tell your patients that the heart and brain look good etc...Or is all that handled by the doc?? I can't remember! Everything has gone great but just nervous about my anatomy scan next week! Baby looked like a blob since last time I saw him/her at 7 weeks! Lol. Also is there anything a US tech likes patients to do before they come in for the scan so they can get best photos of all the organs and measurements? Like drink lots of water or go to the bathroom or drink caffeine or anything?! So thankful for what you do so we can know how our little ones are doing before they enter this world!

*edited for typo.

mrwphillips · July 2015

We are scheduled to go in for our anatomy scan on Friday--super excited but also apprehensive. I have been in the ER twice for bleeding, and each time had a scan; I was always terrified they would peek in and baby wouldn't be OK, so that fear is still present even though I have been feeling occasional flutters. I wish the movements were more consistent and noticeable, but I know they will be in the next little bit. And although I know for a fact it is not an inherited thing, my older brother was born with a severe chromosomal disorder and it wound up taking his life; again, I know for fact I can't pass it on, but I am gun shy as all get-out! I am 18w1d today, due 12/7.

nik6499 · July 2015

The only time they should do an additional anatomy scan is when they can't get the measurements they need of baby. Sex is not part of the anatomy scan, they will tell you if they see and you want to know but it's not the reason for the scan at all. My daughter kept her legs crossed the entire time. I found out via a necessary 3d a week before she was born she was a girl, and I only got that scan because my doc was concerned about how large the baby was

Want a personalized experience?

Is there a possibility that they won't be able to tell gender at the anatomy scan?

Re: Is there a possibility that they won't be able to tell gender at the anatomy scan?

Choose Another Board

Search Boards

Want a personalized experience?

Is there a possibility that they won't be able to tell gender at the anatomy scan?

Re: Is there a possibility that they won&#039;t be able to tell gender at the anatomy scan?

Choose Another Board

Search Boards

Re: Is there a possibility that they won't be able to tell gender at the anatomy scan?