When can you find out?

You can find out your baby's sex as early as 10 weeks. The Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing, which is a blood test that helps identify if the baby is at risk for having a genetic conditions such as Down syndrome, Edwards syndrome, or Patau syndrome, can also tell you the baby’s sex.

Or you can wait to find out at the 20 week anatomy ultrasound or as late as the delivery day!

Discussing what's important to you

Being surprised

For those who love surprises, waiting until the big day can make the birth feel even more special. Alternatively, you may find not knowing the sex until birth overwhelming. 

Planning & preparation

If you plan to decorate a nursery, choose colors, and purchase clothes and gear based on whether you’re having a boy or girl, you may want to know beforehand. However, if you plan to take a more gender-neutral approach, that’ll matter less for your planning and preparation.

Bonding with your baby

Knowing your baby's sex can help you feel more connected to them. You might feel like using "he" or "she" will strengthen your emotional bond. Or you might find it easier to picture your future as a family, imagining your son or daughter's tiny fingers wrapped around yours or visualizing yourself cradling your baby.

However, you may feel this information won't affect your connection with your baby or your ability to imagine your future as a family.

Having a gender reveal party

Gender reveal parties can be a fun way to create memorable moments, building anticipation as you reveal whether you're having a boy or a girl. You might use ideas like colored balloons, a cake with a hidden color, or a confetti cannon.

On the other hand, you may prefer to keep the news private until the birth, be concerned about reinforcing gender stereotypes, or simply not like the idea.

Dealing with potential dissapointment

If one of you really wants a boy or a girl, finding out early can help you manage any initial disappointment and focus on the joy of welcoming your baby. It allows you to process your feelings and shift your attention to the excitement of having a healthy child. 

Making a decision

Take the time to discuss your feelings openly and honestly with each other. If you disagree on when to find out the baby's sex, try to find a compromise. If one of you wants to wait while the other wants to know right away, listen to each other's reasons and perspectives. You can even role-play to help find common ground.