Expecting a baby is exciting for many parents. The thought of either bringing your first child into the world or adding another child to your family can be overwhelming and emotional. With today's technology, it is often possible to determine whether you will be bringing home a son or daughter before the baby is born.
History
Ultrasonography has been used in obstetrics since the late 1950s, according to the Dr. Joseph Woo. It was initially used as a therapeutic rather than a diagnostic devise. In the 1940s, physicians in other countries investigated the use of ultrasound as an imaging device. In 1953, scientists John M. Reid and John Wild "produced real-time images" of breast cancer growths. Since 1966, ultrasounds have been commonly used in obstetrics. The technology has improved and changed over the years from machines producing primitive shadowy images to machines producing amazingly clear images of an unborn baby's profile and sex.
Reasons for Sonograms
Your doctor may order an ultrasound during the first trimester of pregnancy to visualize your baby's heartbeat and size, according to the American College of Radiology. You cannot tell with certainty the sex of your baby during a first trimester ultrasound. Many doctors routinely order a mid-trimester ultrasound between 16 and 20 weeks to examine the baby's position and the placenta and also to evaluate the baby for any abnormalities.
The sonographer may ask if you would like to know the sex of your baby. If she is not able to determine your baby's sex with certainty, she may not guess. Your doctor may schedule a later ultrasound and you can confirm or determine your baby's sex at that time.
Benefits
You may enjoy knowing the sex of your baby through ultrasound because you want to plan ahead. You can paint the baby's room a sex-specific color and purchase coordinating bedding. You can plan on room arrangements and decide whether your older children can share a room with the new baby, depending on the sex of the baby. Your friends will appreciate planning a sex-specific baby shower and buying the right color clothes.
Types
The American Pregnancy Association lists seven types of ultrasound procedures. A transvaginal scan is performed early in your pregnancy, a standard ultrasound uses 2-D images and an advanced ultrasound uses more "sophisticated equipment." The Doppler ultrasound measures changes in moving blood cells.
A fetal echocardiogram ultrasound looks at your baby's heart. 3-D and 4-D ultrasounds use special probes, scanners and software to examine the baby. When determining the sex of your baby, the sonographer may use the 2-D, 3-D or 4-D ultrasounds.
Considerations
When deciding whether to find out the sex of your baby, consider your feelings towards both sexes. If you have your heart set on one sex, determine in advance whether hearing the words, "It's a boy!" when you really wanted a girl will affect the rest of your pregnancy. Ask your partner his feelings towards finding out the sex of the baby. Although sonogram technology is very good, there are times when the sonographer's assessment is wrong.
References
- Ob-Ultrasound: A Short History of the Development of Ultrasound in Obstretics and Gynecology
- American College of Radiology: Obstetrical Ultrasound
- FamilyDoctor.org: Ultrasound During Pregnancy
- American Pregnancy Association: Ultrasound: Sonogram
- Telegraph: 'Gender Disappointment': Coping With the 'Wrong' Baby
