Everyone that has had a baby has been in this predicament. Should we find out “what” we’re having or keep it a surprise? Generally people feel strongly one way or another, and we’ve enlisted two DMB Moms, Amber + Aubrey, to share their reasons for why they chose they way they did. Maybe some of their insight will help you decide whether or not you paint the nursery grey + white or pink or blue.
Amber’s Top 5 Reasons to REVEAL Your Baby’s Gender
- You can begin planning nursery themes and wardrobes immediately! I have one boy and one girl and the very day we found out the gender of each one – I immediately left the doctor’s office to start buying the cutest stinkin’ outfits and nursery decor I could find. Anchors for him and Tiffany Blue for her. It decreased my stress significantly knowing that I had it all ready as soon as we came home from the hospital. I also started the registry accordingly soon after.
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I felt more pregnant after I found out.
I knew that I was pregnant, and I was pregnant with a human, but once I found out just exactly what was swimming around inside of me I savored every moment more. I could picture the baby in my head more clearly.
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It gets friends and family off your case.
Because you KNOW they’re all going to be asking. Once they know, you can tell them to go properly shop for your baby shower if you’re having one.
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The suspense begins to wear on you emotionally.
The ultrasound tech was sick on the day of our scheduled gender scan. I woke up in the morning with the mindset that by the end of the day I would know what gender my baby was and my pregnancy hormones did nothing to help when the receptionist told me we would have to reschedule. I cried in the office for nearly 30 minutes.
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When you’re going through labor you don’t have to wonder.
Sure, waiting can give you something to look forward to finding out, but when you already know what the gender is, all you have to focus on is “PUSH, PUSH, PUSH!”
Aubrey’s Top 5 Reasons to Keep Your Baby’s Gender a SURPRISE!
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The sonogram could be wrong
Sure they’re accurate 95 percent of the time… but what if you fell into the 5 percent? I actually know two people that this has happened to and after they’ve delivered their new baby both of the dads had to rush home to “fix” the nursery. If you know the gender of your baby you probably went out and bought super cute outfits, matching accessories, toys, high chairs, blankets, etc. in a gender-specific color. If the sonogram technician is wrong, you’ll likely be out hundreds of dollars on those items you’ll never be able to use.
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You won’t have ALL pink or ALL blue everything
Gender neutral doesn’t have to be all yellow or green or boring! Maybe I’m the one person that truly loves the color grey but it’s a great color for a baby room that has the flexibility to grow with them as their style matures. You’ll have plenty of time to add a gender-specific pop of color or accessorize after baby’s born, too.s
And while any gift that you receive at your baby shower is extremely generous, I’d much rather get the things I need (carseat, stroller, changing table, bathtub, diaper bag, etc.) instead of clothes that, more-than-likely, are not my style. When you don’t know your baby’s gender you won’t have to take back those gender-specific outfits and your future children will thank you too; That he’s not strolling around in a pink carseat throughout his infant and toddler life.
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It really irritates other people
It’s quite comical how irritated people, complete strangers even, get when you tell them you’re going to be surprised. This also might be my husband, the antagonizer’s, favorite reason for being surprised. Typically if you know the gender, you know what you’re going to name the child, too, and it opens up the door for others to give their opinion on the name you’ve chosen. If you keep everything a surprise, you don’t open yourself up to scrutiny while you’re an emotional rollercoaster.
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The one true surprise you have in life
Even if you’re really careful about giving the best birthday gift to your significant other, there’s still a good chance he saw the purchase on your credit card statement, peeked at the department store bag or snooped through your text messages with his best friend to ruin the surprise. When no one, including your doctor, knows if you’re having a boy or girl, it’s a surprise for everyone and no one can ruin it… and at the end of the day, everyone loves a surprise, even if they say they don’t!
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It makes the pain throughout your labor and delivery worth every second
22 hours and four pushes later I earned the best surprise of my life: I was now the mother to a healthy baby BOY! Born sunny-side up, my labor and delivery was anything but enjoyable, but that very moment was the most amazing surprise anyone could’ve ever given me. The anticipation, lack of sleep, headaches and nausea I experienced throughout the past nine months made it so worth it. And after being reassured three times that he was a boy (I blame the adrenaline on the moments of disbelief), I was able to put a name to a face, something I knew that I needed to see in person before committing to.
Do you feel strongly one way or another? We’d LOVE to hear why your family decided to keep it a surprise or reveal your baby’s gender! Share your comments below.
