Wednesday, August 10, 2011

It's a surprise regardless

One thing that gets debated a lot on the baby message boards and in real life is whether or not to find out the gender of the baby before delivery. The typical argument you hear for wanting to wait is that it's one of life's few surprises so better to wait to experience that surprise. For those that choose to wait, I give you all the credit in the world, that takes an insane amount of patience and willpower. Neither of which I have! So Kudos. But here's the thing, even if you find out during your ultrasound or gender reveal party or another way it's still a surprise!

Believe me, laying on that table being 99% sure I was having a little girl and then hearing it was actually a boy was definitely a surprise! A very happy surprise but a surprise none the less. And for me I have to say I'm glad I got that surprise during the ultrasound and not in the delivery room. Finding out the way we did was great... for us. I loved that it was just the two of us (and the ultrasound tech, but I forgot she was there) rather than a room full of doctors and nurses. I loved that we were able to hug and kiss and celebrate with each other immediately and that I wasn't drugged up, exhausted and in pain when I heard the news of my son. It was also nice to have that information for just the two of us for a short time before making all the calls to family and friends and hearing their excitement. For us it was perfect and I wouldn't change it. Plus I now have 4 months to try to wrap my brain around the fact that I'm having a SON! And of course to shop until my house is bursting with blue.

I don't want anyone to think I'm knocking those that wait to find out, as I said, I give you all the credit in the world and I'm sure that experience was/will be amazing but for us finding out early was the way to go. So for any of you out there that are pregnant or plan to be pregnant and debating whether or not to find out early it's just something to keep in mind. Finding out the sex of your baby is a HUGE moment and can be very emotional so just make sure the setting you find it out in is what you feel most comfortable with.

So tell me- did/will you find out the gender before the baby arrives? Any regrets with your choice?

16 comments:

asj said...

I'm definitely going to find out - for all of the emotional reasons you wrote as well as the fact I'm a planner, I want to be as ready as I can be going into it!

Marian said...

I want to wait it out and be surprised. I've always wanted that. However, when it actually comes down to it, who knows...it may just be killing me not to know! Liam, on the other hand, wants to know. And there is no way I would let him keep that secret from me:)

Unknown said...

Great post my friend!

Lexilooo said...

I want to be surprised, but of course, my boyfriend doesn't, so who knows what will happen when the time comes!

BG said...

i am definitely finding out! completely agree that it's a surprise either way...plus i totally want to buy things! :)

Julianne said...

Well said! I am due a few days after you are (Dec 29), and my husband and I are finding out on Monday! I hate when people ask if we know what we are having, and then we tell them we will know soon, and then they say Oh you should wait!! Why'd you even ask to begin with then!! ;)

carrie1 said...

I find out on Monday. I need to be prepared... I can't just wait until the baby is born to know the gender.. not only that there is only so much yellow stuff you can buy.

♥ Marcy ♥ said...

With my first born we found out and when the future Baby B happens we will again find out! Not knocking anybody who decides to not find out but I am anal and like to be prepared =) No regrets here!!!

Dani said...

We will find out as soon as we can! :)

Nicole-Lynn said...

I would love to know as soon as we're able to know! I don't think I could wait either! However, I do plan to have a gender reveal party for friends and family so they wont know until then :)

Heather said...

Thanks for this great post, since this is something I've thought about a lot in preparation for when it's my turn to have a baby. Your arguments make a lot of sense, and I also would definitely want to find out ahead of time for many of the same reasons. Congrats again on your little boy!

Mrs EyeCanSee said...

I ALWAYS said I wanted to wait. That it was one of lifes last surprises. However when I was actually pregnant, there was no way I had the patience to wait until the end. I'm so glad we found out when we did and I will do it again when it's time for #2!

Kristen said...

I always said I wanted to wait until the delivery....until about 2seconds after I peed on the stick and found out I was pregnant. Then I wanted to know instantly.

I am with you, kudos to those that can wait. But it is still a suprise if you find out early AND then you can prepare. Cause Lord knows my type A planner self would be dying right now if I didn't have enough clothes for baby.

I am certain there will be many more times in parenthood that we will be surprised (hopefully mostly in a good way) :-)

Meg said...

I totally would find out! That's just me, I'm with you. It is a surprise at 40 weeks and it is a surprise at 18 weeks--happy day regardless!

AmyJean {Relentless Bride®} said...

When we first got pregnant, I definitely thought OF course we'd find out. But then as time went on, i figured - it's kind of exciting not knowing. But then when i see posts like yours, and the fun & excitement & happiness you get from finding out, i waiver. I won't lie, I definitely want to know... but for the first pregnancy, I think we are waiting (this could still change at any point) and then we'd definitely find out for any others that follow. I think it also helps that we have no nursery to decorate and not a lot of nesting/planning to do. If we did, I think my answer would change! :) I think either way you do it, it's such a blessing and a surprise, that you really can't go wrong!!!

Saying I do said...

I will most DEF. Want to know before!