You are here:

Childbirth/16 Week Ultrasound Gender

Advertisement

Expert: - 10/14/2009


Question

Female?
Hi. I just had a targeted ultrasound done yesterday at my high-risk specialists office and was told by the sonographer that our baby is a girl. She said she has been a Technician for 17 years. I feel confident that she would be accurate. After the ultrasound, I spoke with the Physician who reviewed all the scans and also believed this picture to be a girl. Later in the afternoon, I had an appt with my regular OB-GYN who confirmed by looking at the pictures that it was a girl. Is it possible that 2 Physicians and a Sonographer with her years of experience could be wrong? I have attached some pictures, if you could look at them and let me know what you think I would greatly appreciate it. My OBGYN and the Sonographer both referred to her 'girl parts' as the hamburger.

Answer
Kelly,


Of course it's possible that they're wrong.  It's just not probable.  



The biggest barrier is that all babies start out looking like females, and the differentiating more into distinct male vs. female genitalia.  16 weeks is on the early side to tell for certain, but 3 opinions that all say girl mean they're most likely correct, especially since the equipment used at a high-risk specialist tends to be more accurate than regular scans.  The technicians also tend to be more experienced in looking for problems, so they tend to be more skilled as well.



Best,
Catherine

Catherine Beier MS CBE

Expertise

I can provide evidence-based information and current research findings concerning childbirth and pregnancy. My specializations include natural childbirth, pregnancy and birth interventions, fetal positioning, labor induction, choosing a care provider, midwives, homebirth, unassisted birth, natural pain relief, medications in pregnancy and birth, informed consent, understanding the risks and benefits of childbirth choices, doulas, waterbirth, childbirth methods, childbirth education classes, cesarean section, and VBAC.

Experience

I have been a childbirth educator, mother, author, public speaker, researcher, and birth advocate for the past 9 years. I am also the author of Giving Birth Naturally, a site dedicated to natural childbirth and pregnancy information. I publish evidence-based articles on pregnancy, childbirth, newborn care, and post-partum care. I'm also a mother of three children, two daughters and one son all born naturally. To learn more about what normal birth looks like, view the natural childbirth video of my son being born at home unassisted.

Publications
My book, Birth Outside the Box, was published in 2007.

Education/Credentials
I hold a Master's degree in communication disorders with an emphasis in child development. I am also an independent childbirth educator.

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.