How accurate is a gender scan at 14 weeks?

[sweetpea]

There is an elective ultrasound place near me that does the whole 3D/4D thing. I've gotten that done twice, with each of my boys (at a different facility), but what I'm really interested in is the fact that this particular place does early gender determination. The website states that they are "Owned and Operated by a Certified AND Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer (RDMS) in Obstetrics and Gynecology with 15 years experience" and that they "have a 100% accuracy rate at determining fetal gender." I've emailed back and forth with the owner a few times, and she's certain she can determine the gender at 14 weeks gestation because she's been doing this for over 15 years. She assured me that if she cannot get a clear view of the gender at my 14-week appt, then she'll have me come back free of charge.

So, what do you think? Should I go at 14 weeks? Is a 14-week gender determination accurate and reliable (of course, nothing is 100% guaranteed until birth, but I'm just hoping for a good, solid "guesstimate"). Or should I wait a little bit? 15 weeks? 16 weeks? I'd really like to know before Christmas, if possible (I'll be 16+1 on Christmas day, so I'd have to have it done at 16 weeks or before). But, I'm impatient! If 14 weeks could be reliable, I'd like to do it then! ;)

What do you ladies think?

[mummypink]

I think 14 weeks sounds really early, the 3d places I have looked at have generally preferred you to be at least 18 weeks but I think 16 weeks should be fine. x

[dloui128]

I had one done at 14 weeks and he was clearly a boy

[NCBeachyGrl]

There's really no harm in going at 14 weeks...worst case you come back a couple of weeks later to confirm! I think if you do go at 14 weeks, you should just get hopes on a good guess and not be 100% positive of girl if no boy bits are seen.

I can't believe I am just 3 weeks away from 14 weeks. Hmm......to find out or not to find out!

[HopeandDreamG]

I agree with beachy. Why not go and u can always go back. Why do you want to know for Christmas?

[sweetpea]

Thanks for your replies, ladies! :)

Mummypink - I think the 3D places want you to be at least 18 weeks because that's when you get a better shot of the baby in 3D. I wouldn't be going for a 3D scan, I'd only be going for early gender determination. And there's no way I'd pay for an elective u/s at 18 weeks just for gender, as my OB does the big u/s between 17-18 weeks anyway! ;)

dloui - thanks for sharing your experience and congrats on your little man! :)

Beachy - I can't believe you're so close to finding out! Wow, that flew by! I agree that I could go at 14 weeks and see if it's really clear....and if not, go back again later. Unless I just wait another week or two...hmmm, I really don't know....

H&D - I want to know before Christmas because I'd like to share the news with our family on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. I just think it would be really special. :)

[MamaCass85]

Hello! I am going for my early gender scan next week. I will be 14+4! I am hoping for realible results too! I will let you know how it goes. I go on Tuesday.

[nuthinbutpink]

I'd go at 15 weeks.

[sweetpea]

Good luck, MamaCass! I'll be watching for your update! :agree:

NBP, do you think 15 weeks would be pretty reliable then? As in, telling everyone and buying pink or blue, reliable?

[Cinss]

My friend had it done at a 3d place at 15 weeks and was told girl which it was in the end, i think it is reliable then.

[atomic sagebrush]

Both my boy and my girl were pretty dang obvious at 13+4-6 to me as a layman (and I got the vibe both times that the techs also knew). I think NBP is right tho, in order to save heartache just in case, I'd wait till 15 weeks if you can get in the week before Christmas, that is!

[sweetpea]

I just checked with the 3D place, and they have an appt available on Sunday, December 16th (they're open 7 days a week). DH, the boys, and I could go there right after church in the morning, that might be nice. And DH wouldn't have to miss work. But the thing is, I would be either 14w6d or 15 weeks exactly that day (depending on when exactly I O'd). Does that one day make a big difference, you think? I know sometimes a day or two can make big differences on an u/s, so what do you ladies think?

[spinningmadly]

I had the same question with my last pregnancy, i was like 14 and 3 days not 15 as they advertised. Id known the woman for years she's been doing it for 25 years. She could clearly tell the sex and she was right. I think if you are sure about your days and she is experienced 14 +6 days is fine!