[ART]

So, up until now I had been planning on finding out the gender of my baby at an elective 3d/4d scan or at my 20 week anatomy scan.

I have started considering waiting until the birth to find out the gender. I think it would be such an amazing experience hearing "it's a boy" or "it's a girl" at birth. But at the same time I'd love to know the gender beforehand so I can go clothes shopping and have everything I need picked out. Of course I can still do that but as gender neutral. I'm not huge on everything having to be gender specific.

What do you think I should do? Or what would you personally do?

[Rogan]

Personally, I would want to know beforehand otherwise I would spend 9 months wondering. Also, I would like to have girl things or boy things all picked out and ready before it's born.

Obviously, I'm a guy so I might not fully understand hearing "It's a boy" or "It's a girl" during the birth. Only you can make the decision but that's my opinion.

[Big H]

I'd say wait and let it be a surprise.

[ART]

Thanks for your opinions Josh and Trenton. I can definately see the positives of both sides. I do plan on getting quite gender neutral things anyway. The theme that I have for the bedding sets etc is quite gender neutral too. I'll guess I'll just wait and see how impatient I get. Or if bub wants to cooperate during the U/S.

[SparkleyCrystal]

I'd wait and see

[DanielaPereira]

i would see first before birth just because you want to buy some clothes right? if you already knew the gender, you wouldn't have to waste money on boys and girls clothes. unless you're rich

[Panda]

Personally I would want to know beforehand, because I think that it would be easier for people to pick out gifts for a baby shower, and to get things you need for the baby when it arrives. Plus I don't think I could handle the suspense for 9 whole months.

[ART]

If I do not find out the gender I would still buy clothes. Just gender neutral, so greens, yellows etc. Babies grow so rapidly that they wouldn't be in the gender neutral outfits for a long time. Hmmm, it's a hard decision. I might just have to wing it, and see how I feel when I am in the second trimester!

[Marionetta]

I would find out before hand. I honestly don't get the point in waiting until birth.

But maybe that's because I'd be sad if I heard "it's a girl" at birth because then instead of being happy I'll be dreading on how she'll turn out.
*doesn't want a daughter*

But that's just me. I just can't possibly fathom how not knowing would be a good surprise.

[Sam1]

Oh, anyone who knows me would realize I absolutely hate ambiguity, so this would be an easy one!

The thrill of childbirth (as I'm told) isn't so much the 'surprise' of finding out gender at the moment of birth, but rather the miracle of bringing another life into the world. There's enough drama in that, I doubt the doc shouting it's gender adds much.

If you're the type of person who likes to plan ahead and have some structure and some basics in place (including your expectations!), then find out. If, on the other hand, you need the suspense, then wait. But, I don't think either choice changes the drama of childbirth.