Is anyone choosing to wait until birth to find out the gender?

Question

I’ve been thinking about waiting because I don’t want everyone to buy super gendered clothing and toys for my child. I want clothes to be versatile because now that we have baby 1 we are discussing a second child to avoid having an only child. If they’re different genders, we won’t have to buy new clothes.
Also, I personally don’t think it’s healthy to have all this social programming of “it’s a girl! She’s a princess! Girls love pink!” Or “it’s a boy! Boys are tough! Boys like monster trucks and blue!” I just want my kids to have the space to develop their own interests and likes and dislikes. I feel like I can do this, but I don’t think our families would quite get the concept, thus the consideration of waiting.
Thoughts? Are you waiting to find out? If so, why?

Answer

We are seriously considering on waiting till delivery to find out. Think it would be a lovely surprise and add to the magic however we are both so impatient 🙈
Regardless, all baby stuff will be neutral just in case with have more. 
As for clothing again all will be neutral for first couple months

Answer

We are waiting as well. Gender stereotypes in clothes and toys are so infuriating to me. Messages for performing gender are so engrained in society and Although unavoidable I am very passionate about doing everything I can to counter those messages. I already know it’s an uphill battle but at least for the time being I can protect my child from them. I know many family and friends have more traditional views so I know eventually these influences are inevitable but I’m going to try and make it known how important it is to me to open all play and activity interests and influences to my child. So they are free to seek out their own interests regardless of what society says. It’s extremely important to me that a child’s skill sets and characteristics are not shaped or hindered from cultural limitations (blocks, trucks, sports, baby play etc benefit all children!!!)
Ok I’m ranting now but yeah I completely agree. I can see the appeal of a gender reveal as revealing a surprise is exciting and a way to celebrate but for me it places too much emphasis on separating genders and placing an identity of stereotypes on a child before they’ve even made it into the world. Many people don’t think much of these cultural stereotypes but the research is heavy in their impact on children and society. 
Also your point about getting items that can be reused is so important. Keeping it a surprise hopefully also ensures people gift items you need rather then crazy gendered items like shirts for boys that say “I only date super models” or extreme princess attire for girls 🤢

Answer

I had my first baby in September 2019 and we didn’t find out if he was a boy or girl until he was born. We didn’t really have any real reason for waiting other than we wanted to be surprised and didn’t care either way if he was a boy or girl.  We didn’t care so much that we forgot for a few minutes after he was born to even check if he was a boy or girl and our doula had to ask us if we wanted to look 😂. Now I’m so glad we didn’t find out because we have a whole wardrobe of 0-6 month clothing that is gender neutral that we can reuse for our baby due September of this year. I am going back and forth on whether to find out the gender with this baby and still haven’t completely decided, but I’m leaning toward keeping it a surprise again this time

Answer

We are waiting for the exact same reasons as you! I hate the thought of the impacts gender stereotyping can have on children even from a very young age so feel like we don't want to make it a big deal. Plus, it's more exciting!

Answer

I waited on my last pregnancy. There’s so many perks that come with it. We got gender neutral blankets, bibs, toys, car seats, strollers, etc. We mostly went with grays and other very neutral colors, no yellows or greens. I did an animal themed room. Literally everything can be used for our next baby. Plus, when my son was born, it was the most intense moment!

Answer

I’m 11 weeks and I still don’t know. At first it was out of fear because I had an ectopic pregnancy last year that really affected me. I just want a healthy baby

Answer

With my first, I registered for all things gender neutral because we knew we wanted more kids and I didn’t want a bunch of gender specific toys and clothes. We found out with my first and second what we were having because I’m a planner and I had to know. This is our third and last and since we have a boy and girl already, we will wait until he/she arrives to be surprised.

Answer

We didn’t find out with our first. I loved the idea of it being a surprise and guessing the gender throughout my pregnancy. We bought all gender neutral stuff because we knew we wanted a 2nd baby. Well at least the bigger items - clothes can be tough to find gender neutral sometimes. Now I am trying to decide if I should find out this time.

Answer

I have the same sentiment about the clothing but I'm not going to wait to find out if it's a boy or girl. It's my first time and we are eager to find out. I was at the mall today and happened upon the children store. Girls clothing was all bright pink, purple etc. They have daddy lil girl and momma boy clothing and dinosaurs, but no trucks for girls or unicorn for boys clothing. I have a niece who loves trucks and having 6 older brothers, she prefer to wear their clothes, play with their toys.

Answer

I’ve always liked the idea of waiting till birth, however; I’m impatient and waiting till 20 weeks feels like forever already. Lol. 
My first two were girls, and I purchased all gender neutral clothes because that’s just my preference. 
I find regardless if you find out during pregnancy or after people will still buy you gender specific items, maybe you can return them, or request gender neutral regardless If they are aware of the gender or not?

Is anyone choosing to wait until birth to find out the gender?

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