Speculating the unknown gender of an unborn baby is one of the most exciting things about pregnancy. There are many old wives' tales that claim to determine whether your baby will be wearing pink or blue.
Some say that you carry your bump weight at the front for a boy, and all around for a girl. Sweet cravings suggests girl, whereas salty or sour suggests boy. Apparently, a baby daughter will set out to steal her mother's beauty, causing breakouts of spots and blemishes. Some say that tying a wedding ring to a piece of string and suspending it above the tummy that carries the new little life can predict the baby's gender; the ring will spin round and round for a boy, or swing back and forth for a girl. Or is it the other way around? Who knows! They're all pretty silly and will have a 50/50 chance of being right anyway!
Of course, in this day and age, gender can quite frequently be discovered during an ultrasound scan from around 16 weeks gestation. But why not wait? Why not extend the suspense and excitement? Just because you can find out, doesn't mean you have to.
Reasons not to find out your baby's gender:
Scans aren't always accurate. I've heard many, many stories of how parents have prepared for a little Georgia, decorating her nursery in floral and lilac and buying babygros in bundles of pastels and pretty patterns, and even expensive fuchsia pink prams, only to discover on the big day that Georgia is actually a George. I've heard stories of expectant parents awaiting their little boys, and being gobsmacked to welcome a baby girl, too (it really does happen. I often wonder how anyone could get those two parts mistaken!).
It'll save you money. Chances are, from the minute you know whether you're buying blue or pink, in the excitement, you're going to go overboard and buy more outfits than your little treasure could ever possibly wear before they get too big. Buying the bare minimum of essentials in neutral colours will get you through your first few days until you're ready to go to the shops (or even order online from the comfort of your bed to keep you occupied through the night feeds!), and with all of the gifts that you're bound to receive, you may well end up not buying clothes for weeks!
The suspense will do you good. In the last few weeks when you're rather round and uncomfortable, and getting fed up, it's a little something to keep that spark of excitement glimmering.
Gender disappointment. Yes. It's a thing, and it's a pretty common thing. It's probably more common than you first think.
You'll get more than "Oh, lovely." People are always bound to ask while you're expecting, "Is it a boy or a girl?" and regardless of whether you respond with boy or girl, you're almost guaranteed an, "Oh, how lovely!" I mean, how else is anyone to react? But when you say, "I'm not sure, it's a surprise!".... Nah, forget that point. You'll still get, "Oh, how lovely!", though it may sound more enthusiastic and sincere, at least.
Does it really matter? No matter what sits between your baby's legs, you're going to adore them just the same.
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