by Beckie Knowles

Created on: August 25, 2009

Friends, family and even complete strangers just can't keep their opinions to themselves when it comes to guessing the sex of your baby. They'll be all over you, prodding your bump, getting you to turn this way and that so they can inspect how you're carrying. Whether they judge by old wives tales or guess from your genes, there is no escaping the predictions.

This bothers some people more than others. You might decide you want the sex confirmed to put the uncertainty to rest. There's only one way to find out the sex of an unborn child for sure; ultrasound. Most parents who want to know the sex of their baby will ask the technician at their 20 week scan to find out for them. The ultrasound technician will either be able to tell you straight away or try to get a better look if the baby is sitting shy in the womb.

However, it is not always possible for the technician to see the baby's genitals. For example, if the baby's legs are crossed or the picture is unclear for one reason or another. One of my friends was asked to jump up and down at her scan, in an attempt to make the baby move. Eventually he rolled around and the technician was able to reveal to her she was expecting a baby boy.

It is important to remember that a regular ultrasound sexing might not be 100% accurate. Don't get too carried away planning everything for your unborn son or daughter in bright pink or blue, as all too often parents are surprised to find they were told the wrong sex! If you want to know, it is good to be able to plan. However, the shock will be worse if everything you have bought is sex specific. Even when you have been told the sex of your baby it is a good idea to keep the newborn clothes and accessories neutral.

A sexing scan is the most accurate way to find out the sex of your unborn child. Although this scan comes at a price, you are able to see your baby in a much higher quality picture. The scan takes 3D views of your baby and the expert sexing technician will have a clear view of your baby. The results of this scan can be trusted almost certainly, although there are always one or two people that are surprised when their baby is born.

Using old wives tales, such as how you are carrying your baby or the times of day you get hungry, are all very well when predicting the sex of a baby. However, the only way to really know whether you are carrying a boy or a girl is to ask the technician at your ultrasound scan. If the technician cannot see clearly or it is your hospital's policy not to reveal the sex to parents, a sexing scan is the most accurate form of sexing your baby. Whether you find out the sex of your baby or not, enjoy your pregnancy and good luck!

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