Wait til 12 weeks?

[oxox2013]

Ok so I know that there isnt a guarantee about gender at a 12 week ultrasound. But the more I read on the nub theory, the more I believe that it is a reliable guess. Here is my dilemma, my doctors office only offers 2 ultrasounds, one at 8 weeks and one at 20 weeks. Which I understand is normal. So do I deliberately schedule my first appt (they routinely do the first ultrasound at the first appt no matter what) at 12 weeks so that I can have my nub shot (and have to wait to see how things are going for another 6 weeks!) or do I just take the regular appt at 8 weeks and miss my nub shot opportunity thus being forced to wait until 20 weeks to know the gender of this baby?!? Help! What would you do? or what did you do in a similar circumstance? I really feel torn! On the other hand, what if it is another boy and I find that out at 12 weeks and feel sad for a longer period of time?? Oh how I hate GD!!

[bunnywabbit]

Congrats! In all honesty, I think I'd rather wait until 20 weeks. I know it's difficult and too tempting to find out if you have a prince or princess, but there is a much bigger margin of error at 12 weeks. By 20 weeks, there's more of a chance of identifying correctly which you have. I'd rather bite my lip and wait the few extra weeks rather than told one thing at 12 weeks, then told something else later on... x

[ELP]

I would schedule the 1st scan for 13 weeks! as that is the optimum time for a nub guess and I'm pretty sure taht at 13 weeks with a good machine you will come away with a very good idea

[Wanting-a-girl]

Agree 13 weeks!

[Mrs_P]

my opinion would be slightly mixed.

Firstly do you have a history of miscarriage or any problems that need to be picked upon or checked out early on - if so definitely do not cancel your scan just for a chance at a nub shot!

If not then it can be accurate and its not that long to wait, round here they don't do the first scan til 12-13 weeks anyway. I was told this one was a girl was 12 weeks (didn't believe it though). On the other hand i've seen girls drive themselves crazy over nub shots when they aren't clear. Maybe another option would be an early gender scan at 15-16 weeks?

If you do decide to do the nub shot thing i would recommend you spend a fair bit of time learning what to look for and keep your eyes peeled at the scan. What you see on screen is much better reflection than the odd still shot and some shots don't show the nub - my nhs one didn't - it depends if its captured at the right moment

[oxox2013]

Thanks girls! I am already starting to relax about it a bit... seems like these feelings will come and go! Sometimes I feel like I cant wait to know because I really feel good that I have a girl in there, but then there are other times where I know its another boy and I shouldnt get my hopes up therefore I should wait a few more weeks and just enjoy my dream of having a girl longer! As soon as I know one way or another, my fate has been met. I think Ill keep my regular appt and go from there!

I guess another option would be to go for a private scan. Will 3rd party places do those at 12-13 weeks?

[Mrs_P]

may depend on where you are. You can have an elective scan in the UK at any time but not all will predict gender at that stage, you'd need someone who knows the nub theory for that, most will do gender from 15-16 weeks onwards

[Wanting-a-girl]

You should wait til 15/16 weeks for a private scan... I live in Canada where it's illegal to have gender scans before 18 weeks cause of certain races having selective abortions

[oxox2013]

Yeah I guess it would kinda be a waste of money to do at it 12 or 13 weeks when I could just wait a few more weeks and feel more definite about it!

Mrs P congrats on your baby girl! I have seen many families come in and get the opposite gender finally after 4 of the same sex! (I work in pediatrics) I really hope that isnt the case for me tho cause I have zero chance of a 4th little baby!

[Mrs_P]

Lets hope its cause they found swaying then and its proof it works! Still not convinced we are having a little girl, seems so surreal, mind you so does the idea of a baby in 8 weeks!!

Good luck, i hope you hear pink