This week is typically when you will have your anatomy check, including when you get to find out the gender of your sweet little one. Of course, the gender is important, but not always the most important thing to all parents.
Some other things the ultrasound tech is looking at and measuring at this screening include head circumference, height, stomach, brain, spike, bladder, kidneys, girth, and the chambers of the heart.
Because this is an in depth screening, it will include the development of the sex organs, so if you are wanting to be surprised, or throwing a gender reveal party, make sure to mention it to your practitioner before the screening starts.
You’ll likely be asked to drink a certain amount of water prior to the screening. Something like 20 ounces of water an hour before your appointment time is pretty typical. This helps the tech take better pictures and have the ability to view your sweet baby in better detail. The screening can last anywhere between 30 minutes to an hour depending on how much baby is moving and what angles the tech can get. It’s not unheard of to be asked to come back for a second screening in order for all the pictures to be taken, so don’t get discouraged if that happens.
We found out the gender each time except our last. We asked the ultrasound tech to put the photos that revealed the gender into an envelope for us for our reveal. My awesome friend Jessica planned a party for us. We gave her the envelope and she bought confetti poppers at the party store. We had the grandparents on video chat and a small gathering of friends and it was perfect.
Whatever you choose to do, whether you find out during the ultrasound or do a reveal party later, or even wait until baby is born to be surprised, make sure you document it all with photos and video if you can. I look back at that video all the time and the joy on everyone’s face makes me so happy!!
Ashley Brown is the owner of Incourage Foods, whose mission is to help moms create time and space in their lives through cooking. She wants to help moms take advantage of the many benefits cooking offers, so they can invest their time in ways that matter most. Ashley helps make cooking work for moms through her blog where she shares simple, quick, and delicious meals. She also offers Meals For Moms, a meal planning service that will take you from scrambling to pull dinner together last minute to consistently saving your time, your money, and your sanity.
Ashley shares her tips for meal planning as well as her birth experience with her amazing Doula. She also discusses her meal planning services that will make your life so much easier!
Connect with Ashley at Incourage Foods:
FB, IG, Youtube Handles: @incouragefoods
Meal Planning Service Link: www.incouragefoods.com/mealsformoms
If you love the episode, we would love if you could leave us a rating/review on iTunes!