Early gender scan... Worth the money?

Mamigreen · January 2016

Have any of you had an early ultrasound at around 16 weeks. I am going next week and I am a little nervous. I am hoping it is worth the money. Any thoughts?

Bigboobsmcgee · January 2016

I didn't have one with either of my kids simply because I was worried one of those places would get it wrong. I was more concerned that the baby was healthy which they can't comment on anyways. I waited until 20 weeks for my doctor's office to perform the ultrasound.

goldie987 · January 2016

Places that specialize in determining sex do tend to be quite good at is as it is their main business but I wouldn't do it myself. If something does happen to be wrong, there are no doctors on site to discuss the findings which can leave you in limbo while you wait to confirm things with a medical professional and honestly, its an additional cost to find out the sex of the baby a whole 4 weeks early, 2 weeks if your doctor does the anatomy scan at 18 instead of 20 week. I would rather use that money to buy some nice fabric to make a baby quilt after I find out the sex at 20 weeks. Just my two cents.

meggyme · January 2016

If you absolutely can't wait to find out at your anatomy scan, check with your on first. Ours offers elective ultrasounds for gender as early as 16 weeks after normal working hours. My husband and I are going tomorrow after my regular appt since he will be deployed during the anatomy scan. At least then it will be a medical professional doing the scan.

tgortney · January 2016

meggyme said:
If you absolutely can't wait to find out at your anatomy scan, check with your on first. Ours offers elective ultrasounds for gender as early as 16 weeks after normal working hours. My husband and I are going tomorrow after my regular appt since he will be deployed during the anatomy scan. At least then it will be a medical professional doing the scan.

This.

My office does an elective one for $75 out of pocket. I would rather it be done by trained professionals than a funzie boutique place. We're also doing our elective 3D one at my OB office in February.

RebekahA83 · January 2016

I did one at 16 weeks at my OB office for a $50, and it was so much fun! Of course I care about the health of my baby way more than the sex, but it doesn't make you a "bad mom" for wanting to know early (some people will make you feel bad for wanting to know) I was so excited to find out! Whether baby was boy/girl totally didn't matter I just wanted to know! The sex was confirmed at my 20 week anatomy scan and if your OB office offers it, then go for it

kyraaD · January 2016

i mean.. i personally dont think it's worth it since you can find out for free at the 20 week a/s (as long as baby cooperates). however, at 16 weeks they should be able to accurately tell you the sex of your LO. i would confirm at your a/s though.

PrimRoseMama · January 2016

It's your money & time. If you want to get it done then go for it. I prefer to wait until my anatomy scans.

SarahFoley725 · January 2016

We couldn't wait so we did one at 16 weeks in my OBs office. I probably wouldn't have gone to a boutique type place but lots of people do!

sarahufl · January 2016

Maybe it is the fact that we don't want to find out at all, but the idea of not being able to wait another month and paying out of pocket for some boutique place to find out a couple weeks early is just so far beyond my comprehension

kalanieileen · January 2016

Mamigreen said:
Have any of you had an early ultrasound at around 16 weeks. I am going next week and I am a little nervous. I am hoping it is worth the money. Any thoughts?

I had a routine ultrasound at 17 weeks to check on a few things and the tech was nice enough to look at sex. It was difficult to see because of my LOs placement so we didn't get a clear answer. We got our very clear answer at 20 weeks during the A/S after they said he was healthy.

goldie987 · January 2016

sarahufl said:
Maybe it is the fact that we don't want to find out at all, but the idea of not being able to wait another month and paying out of pocket for some boutique place to find out a couple weeks early is just so far beyond my comprehension

We're finding out but the idea of paying extra to find out a few weeks early is also beyond my comprehension, its not just you. It's not like knowing a few weeks early is going to make the baby come any sooner or anything....

fourtsixand2 · January 2016

Not in my opinion. Why not wait until your scheduled 20 week anatomy scan?
The wait is intense, but it's also fun to "wonder" a few more weeks. Aside from that, there so many other things you could spend your money on than paying someone to tell you something your tech is already going to tell you 3 or 4 weeks later.

LadySamLady · January 2016

I'm an embarrassingly impatient person and totally went to a funtimes boutique place at 16 weeks. The experience was fun and the tech seemed competent but it only took me about 24 hours before I began to doubt the results. They ended up being right but it took the anatomy scan for me to feel confident that this LO is a girl so it wasn't really worth it the $50. I don't regret it because that would be a waste of energy but it would have been just as fun (probably even more fun) to wait another 4 weeks for the news.

SparkySunshine · January 2016

I equate going to get a scan done early to POAS before AF is late; percentages go up the longer you wait. If you go with a basic understanding of that, then why not? If they are wrong, will you be upset?
We went early with our first, it ended up being right, but I kept wondering if the 20 wk AS would confirm it or be different

goldie987 · January 2016

SparkySunshine said:
I equate going to get a scan done early to POAS before AF is late; percentages go up the longer you wait. If you go with a basic understanding of that, then why not? If they are wrong, will you be upset?
We went early with our first, it ended up being right, but I kept wondering if the 20 wk AS would confirm it or be different

I don't know if I would compare it to POAS before AF is late. I did that so I could know if I could have a glass of wine or two that night. Knowing if you're pregnant early can alter how you behave with real potential consequences for the baby. Knowing if they are male or female isn't going to affect them in any real way. It may cause you to purchase certain items or paint a room one color over another but it doesn't have a chance of affecting their long term health.

sarahufl · January 2016

Sgoldberg247 said:

I equate going to get a scan done early to POAS before AF is late; percentages go up the longer you wait. If you go with a basic understanding of that, then why not? If they are wrong, will you be upset? We went early with our first, it ended up being right, but I kept wondering if the 20 wk AS would confirm it or be different
I don't know if I would compare it to POAS before AF is late. I did that so I could know if I could have a glass of wine or two that night. Knowing if you're pregnant early can alter how you behave with real potential consequences for the baby. Knowing if they are male or female isn't going to affect them in any real way. It may cause you to purchase certain items or paint a room one color over another but it doesn't have a chance of affecting their long term health.

I also POAS before AF was late. And I agree with you.

SparkySunshine · January 2016

Not everyone drinks, some people POAS simply to know. Not necessarily to alter their behavior either way.

amandajmonceaux · January 2016

I also test before af was due. Most of the time it just made af come sooner but at least I knew. But as to the question asked. I am also debating on having a scan done before my anatomy one. Guess what they tell me at the docs office next week will decide for me. I wanna see the baby again so bad. See if it's still growing ahead of schedule.

delujm0 · January 2016

So you would pay out of pocket at 16 weeks at a boutique place, and also get one covered by insurance with an actual technician and your doctor at 20 weeks for your anatomy scan? No, to me the elective scan would not be worth the money. It's 4 weeks. Patience is a virtue, and you're going to need it in spades once you have an actual baby. Also, the sex of the baby doesn't actually matter at all. Knowing or not knowing doesn't really change anything except decrease the names you consider by 50%. I know it's exciting, but you can be just as excited at 20 weeks as 16.

ashleyrobertson0113 · January 2016

I think it depends on your reason why. If you're doing it just because you're impatient, I say wait.

We did it because my whole family was in from out of town and I wanted my mom and grandma to be there. And having them there was worth the money.

suteki325 · January 2016

Not worth the money to me. I would rather spend it on something useful that the baby will actually need. Its only a few more weeks to wait, and the anticipation building up is half the fun!

lalala2004 · January 2016

I feel like it's not mentioned enough that ultrasounds for non medical reasons are not recommended by any medical organization or regulatory body:

https://americanpregnancy.org/pregnancy-health/keepsake-ultrasound/

No negative effects are proven, but why risk it? At the very least, it is thought that ultrasounds are very loud to the fetus and may cause additional stress. Why potentially cause stress to your baby due to impatience?

SisterMaryNapalm · January 2016

I did have a scan at 16w because twins need monthly scans for growth. What I will say is that they weren't able to tell us for sure what we were having. They had a good idea and it was confirmed at the 20 week scan. Our babies both behaved though.

What I will say is that I was only able to enjoy and process the sex of the two babies because everything else looked really good. They were growing, structures were good and they were moving. I'm not sure if I would get a sex scan without having access to a good tech who could tell me about our baby's health. Not that I wouldn't get one, but if I did, I would want them to be able to answer questions about their health if there were any.

flas · January 2016

I couldn't imagine finding out early, having a big gender reveal only to have an u/s tech find something devestating at the anatomy scan. I never bothered with the sex for my last two anyway.

GinnyJ2012 · January 2016

I have a lot of friends who's SO is military and was going to be deployed during the anatomy scan. They did early scans so both parents could be present to find out the sex. We thought about doing it at 16 weeks so family could come over the Christmas holiday, but decided against it. If something were to be wrong I would want to be told by a medical professional who could advise me on what to do.

Mamigreen · January 2016

I have my own reasons for wanting this done and don't mind paying the money. My doctors office actually offers it. I just wanted opinions of expectant mothers. We have a son already but never had an early scan and that is why I am curious. We already love the baby just the same without knowing the gender, that won't change. Just wanted to do something FUN after all the testing that I have had already. (confirming that baby is healthy) if something was wrong I trust my doctor to tell me. I believe in God and have faith that everything is as it is supposed to be. Thanks for the input ladies! God Bless!

soxfan9968 · January 2016

Mamigreen said:
I have my own reasons for wanting this done and don't mind paying the money. My doctors office actually offers it. I just wanted opinions of expectant mothers. We have a son already but never had an early scan and that is why I am curious. We already love the baby just the same without knowing the gender, that won't change. Just wanted to do something FUN after all the testing that I have had already. (confirming that baby is healthy) if something was wrong I trust my doctor to tell me. I believe in God and have faith that everything is as it is supposed to be. Thanks for the input ladies! God Bless! </p>

Wait, you've had genetic testing? Then you don't need an elective scan for gender identification. Your doctor should already know.

sarawifenow · January 2016

soxfan9968 said:

I have my own reasons for wanting this done and don't mind paying the money. My doctors office actually offers it. I just wanted opinions of expectant mothers. We have a son already but never had an early scan and that is why I am curious. We already love the baby just the same without knowing the gender, that won't change. Just wanted to do something FUN after all the testing that I have had already. (confirming that baby is healthy) if something was wrong I trust my doctor to tell me. I believe in God and have faith that everything is as it is supposed to be. Thanks for the input ladies! God Bless!
Wait, you've had genetic testing? Then you don't need an elective scan for gender identification. Your doctor should already know.

That's not necessarily true. I had genetic testing done at 12 weeks and gender was not included in the testing.

soxfan9968 · January 2016

sarawifenow said:

soxfan9968 said:

Mamigreen said:
I have my own reasons for wanting this done and don't mind paying the money. My doctors office actually offers it. I just wanted opinions of expectant mothers. We have a son already but never had an early scan and that is why I am curious. We already love the baby just the same without knowing the gender, that won't change. Just wanted to do something FUN after all the testing that I have had already. (confirming that baby is healthy) if something was wrong I trust my doctor to tell me. I believe in God and have faith that everything is as it is supposed to be. Thanks for the input ladies! God Bless!
Wait, you've had genetic testing? Then you don't need an elective scan for gender identification. Your doctor should already know.

That's not necessarily true. I had genetic testing done at 12 weeks and gender was not included in the testing.
------qbf-----

I guess I'm just confused as to why genetic testing would check fetal dna for chromosomal abnormalities and not check for aneuploidy in the sex chromosomes, meaning they'd be checked and known as well.

sarawifenow · January 2016

soxfan9968 said:

soxfan9968 said:

I have my own reasons for wanting this done and don't mind paying the money. My doctors office actually offers it. I just wanted opinions of expectant mothers. We have a son already but never had an early scan and that is why I am curious. We already love the baby just the same without knowing the gender, that won't change. Just wanted to do something FUN after all the testing that I have had already. (confirming that baby is healthy) if something was wrong I trust my doctor to tell me. I believe in God and have faith that everything is as it is supposed to be. Thanks for the input ladies! God Bless!
Wait, you've had genetic testing? Then you don't need an elective scan for gender identification. Your doctor should already know.

That's not necessarily true. I had genetic testing done at 12 weeks and gender was not included in the testing.
------qbf----- I guess I'm just confused as to why genetic testing would check fetal dna for chromosomal abnormalities and not check for aneuploidy in the sex chromosomes, meaning they'd be checked and known as well.

For the test I did, it only focused on the abnormalities. They didn't even give the option of checking for the sex. So I suppose it would show up, but it was not something that was reported/checked on.

tgortney · January 2016

I think @soxfan9968 is referring to the NIPT (cell free DNA test), which does check the sex chromosomes for aneuploidy, therefore telling you what the baby's sex is very early. But I think @sarawifenow is referring to the NT scan with blood work. Both are genetic tests for abnormalities.

Except NIPT looks at the actual cell free fetal DNA vs the just looking at the NT of the baby's neck with the mother's blood work to calculate risk ratios.

I've had both done and only the NIPT gave me results for my baby's sex.

JanelandSteve2001 · January 2016

I think so! I did a 3D, paid 99.00 and it was accurate:)

soxfan9968 · January 2016

@tgortney Yes, I was referring to an NIPT. I guess I never considered the NT scan genetic testing as well. Thanks for helping clear that up!

js8812 · January 2016

I had an elective scan at 13w2d at a boutique while on vacation because we weren't sure if my H could make he A/S. We did not have a reveal or anything, we just wanted to find out for ourselves. It was our anniversary and I would have easily spent that $50 on wine had I not been pregnant.

I like how people always bash these places talking about how they are "untrained professionals". The woman who ran the place I went to performed ultrasounds in a clinical setting for over ten years prior to opening her shop. It was a nice setting and a much better experience than I ever anticipated.

I was way more excited for the anatomy scan, but that doesn't make me a bad person for doing a funsie scan.

It's your money, do what you want with it.

tgortney · January 2016

js8812 said:
I had an elective scan at 13w2d at a boutique while on vacation because we weren't sure if my H could make he A/S. We did not have a reveal or anything, we just wanted to find out for ourselves. It was our anniversary and I would have easily spent that $50 on wine had I not been pregnant.

I like how people always bash these places talking about how they are "untrained professionals". The woman who ran the place I went to performed ultrasounds in a clinical setting for over ten years prior to opening her shop. It was a nice setting and a much better experience than I ever anticipated.

I was way more excited for the anatomy scan, but that doesn't make me a bad person for doing a funsie scan.

It's your money, do what you want with it.

The only reason I would say to go to your OB office is: just in case they DO find something wrong. It would be better to have a doctor on-hand to answer questions.

For example, I'm having an elective $99 out of pocket 3D ultrasound at my OB office in February (I really love my ultrasound tech), and even though it's a "funzie" ultrasound (DVDs and photos included). They went ahead and scheduled an appointment with a doctor afterwards. Just in case I had questions or anything (i.e. They saw something wrong and wanted to speak with me). If nothing is wrong or I don't have questions, then I don't have to go to the place holder doctors appointment. Not sure if most OB offices do that, but I thought it was a great considerate thing to do.

But you're right, it is her money and she can do what she wants. But she did ask if it was worth it.

js8812 · January 2016

tgortney said:

js8812 said:
I had an elective scan at 13w2d at a boutique while on vacation because we weren't sure if my H could make he A/S. We did not have a reveal or anything, we just wanted to find out for ourselves. It was our anniversary and I would have easily spent that $50 on wine had I not been pregnant.

I like how people always bash these places talking about how they are "untrained professionals". The woman who ran the place I went to performed ultrasounds in a clinical setting for over ten years prior to opening her shop. It was a nice setting and a much better experience than I ever anticipated.

I was way more excited for the anatomy scan, but that doesn't make me a bad person for doing a funsie scan.

It's your money, do what you want with it.
The only reason I would say to go to your OB office is: just in case they DO find something wrong. It would be better to have a doctor on-hand to answer questions.

For example, I'm having an elective $99 out of pocket 3D ultrasound at my OB office in February (I really love my ultrasound tech), and even though it's a "funzie" ultrasound (DVDs and photos included). They went ahead and scheduled an appointment with a doctor afterwards. Just in case I had questions or anything (i.e. They saw something wrong and wanted to speak with me). If nothing is wrong or I don't have questions, then I don't have to go to the place holder doctors appointment. Not sure if most OB offices do that, but I thought it was a great considerate thing to do.

But you're right, it is her money and she can do what she wants. But she did ask if it was worth it.

I suppose it varies from case to case. I had already had two ultrasounds, so if there was something noticeably wrong I may have known already. As far as more intricate examination at a scan (looking in detail at the heart, kidneys, brain, etc), they obviously don't do that at a boutique, so you would still be in the dark about any issues not easily detected.

I've received terminal news at an anatomy scan before, so I know the ultimate devastation an expectant parent can have. I would imagine if the boutique saw something wrong they would tell you to see your OB and wouldn't give you any medical opinion. In my previous case, even the doctors office couldn't give me a somewhat straight answer for two weeks.

Kind of off on a tangent, but if you have devastating news, it's not any less devastating where you hear the concern first-- to me anyway.

I found out we were having a boy 7 weeks earlier than we would have otherwise and I thought it was worth it for us. I've spent fifty bucks more foolishly before--- so have plenty of lottery ticket buyers

stillcozy · January 2016

My anatomy scan will be at 18 weeks which my dr was fine with since she was able to see me that day and couldn't at the 20 week mark.
I agree if you can't wait talk to your dr's office first as they tend to be cheaper than boutique places and I would agree provably more accurate and could pass along any pertinent information if necessary to your dr.

dramaphile · January 2016

soxfan9968 said:

sarawifenow said:

soxfan9968 said:

Mamigreen said:
I have my own reasons for wanting this done and don't mind paying the money. My doctors office actually offers it. I just wanted opinions of expectant mothers. We have a son already but never had an early scan and that is why I am curious. We already love the baby just the same without knowing the gender, that won't change. Just wanted to do something FUN after all the testing that I have had already. (confirming that baby is healthy) if something was wrong I trust my doctor to tell me. I believe in God and have faith that everything is as it is supposed to be. Thanks for the input ladies! God Bless!
Wait, you've had genetic testing? Then you don't need an elective scan for gender identification. Your doctor should already know.

That's not necessarily true. I had genetic testing done at 12 weeks and gender was not included in the testing.

------qbf-----

I guess I'm just confused as to why genetic testing would check fetal dna for chromosomal abnormalities and not check for aneuploidy in the sex chromosomes, meaning they'd be checked and known as well.

Sex is only determined if you do higher-level genetic testing like the Harmony blood test, which is usually only covered for high risk pregnancies or "advanced maternal age." Standard genetic testing at 12 weeks does not actually look at fetal chromosomes, so will not determine sex.

satuttle1014 · January 2016

I did the Harmony test to test for Trisomy 21, 18 and 13. Sometimes an added bonus is you get to find out the sex through your blood work. However, they normally won't tell you this unless you are 35+ or a high risk pregnancy. My sister was considered "high risk" for bleeding and she found out at like 12 weeks what she was having. Most insurances won't cover an extra test at your office, mine didn't and my doctor's would not even give me the option even though I asked.

It is definitely tough to wait especially when you want to know so bad but that's the way it goes. I wouldn't waste your money going to a boutique. Just wait the few weeks, it feels like it takes forever but it would be here before you know it.

MamaRoni · January 2016

Ok so .... putting myself out there.... I am a PA and own my own clinic and medical spa.... as well as "one of those for fun Xie places".... an ultrasound studio. We scan patients as early as 7 weeks for heartbeat detection and as late as 34ish weeks for 4d. One of my techs is a registered ultrasound tech and the other has been doing this for YEARS even with no certification.
We live in a small rural town and most of the obs do an initial ultrasound like 7- 9 weeks. ... again around 12ish.... the 20 week. ... and then 35. That's usually the flow here.

There are no high risk docs here. .. no nicu.... nada... SMALL TOWN. We are the only place that offers these scans here and honestly.... have the best machine in the county. So sometimes mama's come just so they can see their baby.... or daddy couldn't go to visit and he wants to see.... there's lots of reasons. ...

Yes, there are times when we haven't been 100% on gender.... and in that case we have them come back for free until we are. Yes.... occasionally we find things that aren't just how they should be and I come up and talk to the patient and get their ob on the phone and send them straight over with our pics.... and yes.... ONCE.... we had a fetal demise.... my very own. So it does happen....

But it does bother me to see that there are many of u who totally disrespect non diagnostic places... who disrespect women who opt for a non diagnostic scan.... and while I get the skepticism... why we have to steal the joy from others....

Just throwing my thoughts out there

Want a personalized experience?

Early gender scan... Worth the money?

Re: Early gender scan... Worth the money?

LFAF Summer 2016 Awards:

Choose Another Board

Search Boards