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June 11, 2009

To know or not to know...that is the question

Posted: 09:52 AM ET

By Jennifer Pifer-Bixler
CNN Senior Medical Producer

Attention all mommies and daddies-to-be. Apparently there is a test you can now buy at the drug store that will predict the gender of your baby. Since Sanjay reported on the test Tuesday it's been a hot topic around the newsroom. Sanjay's producer even called and asked whether I wanted to take the test.

You see, I am having a baby in October. We haven't found out the gender. At least not yet.

At first, I was all for finding out if little TBD (that's what I call the baby) was a girl or a boy. The Type A producer in me wants to plan, plan, plan. How should we decorate the nursery? Should we save all the princess costumes and Hannah Montana gear? (Before you get the wrong idea, I should mention we already have a 5-year-old daughter.) Finally – and most importantly – as my belly expands and I begin to feel TBD flutter around, I want to give the baby a name, an identity. It would help me bond with TBD.

But now, I am having second thoughts. One of my friends is due in June and she doesn't want to find out her baby's gender before it’s born. A colleague who had her son a few months ago did the same thing. One of my editors feels so strongly about this that she begged me to reconsider. Twice. "It's one of the few surprises left in life!" she says with great passion.

Maybe it is the pregnancy hormones, but now I feel conflicted. I even put the question to my Facebook friends. Should I find out or should I wait? The next ultrasound is right around the corner. What do you think?

Editor's Note: Medical news is a popular but sensitive subject rooted in science. We receive many comments on this blog each day; not all are posted. Our hope is that much will be learned from the sharing of useful information and personal experiences based on the medical and health topics of the blog. We encourage you to focus your comments on those medical and health topics and we appreciate your input. Thank you for your participation.

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Filed under: Parenting • Women's Health


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Albert Wu   June 11th, 2009 12:29 pm ET

Reminds me of an ad I saw in the back of a magazine.

"I will tell you the sex of your baby! Just send $50
I will tell you the correct sex, or your money back!"

Personally, I kinda favor finding out – it would certainly make life easier for your gift giving friends.

Anyway, congratulations!

Tia   June 11th, 2009 2:15 pm ET

TBD's bound to give you and your hubby plenty of surprises in the next 18 years.

Jen   June 11th, 2009 2:19 pm ET

I vote no, don't find out. I agree that it is one of the few surpises left. I didn't find out the first time. I was extremely motivated to push that baby out because by then I was dying to know what I was having. Just a thought! Either way, enjoy your new baby.

Mary   June 11th, 2009 8:50 pm ET

Hi there,
A friend of mine had a wonderful idea – they had their ultrasound technician write the baby's sex on a piece of paper and seal it in an envelope. They saved it until Christmas morning and opened it then. Father's day, a birthday or any special occasion would be just as good.

It's a surprise whenever you find out, whether that's in the doctor's office or in the delivery room.

Paula   June 17th, 2009 2:14 am ET

Wait – and enjoy the surprise. You can guess and then find out if you are right!

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Get a behind-the-scenes look at the latest stories from CNN's chief medical correspondent, Dr. Sanjay Gupta, and the CNN Medical Unit producers. They'll share news and views on health and medical trends -- info that will help you take better care of yourself and the people you love.

Editor's Note

Medical news is a popular but sensitive subject rooted in science. We receive many comments on this blog each day; not all are posted. Our hope is that much will be learned from the sharing of useful information and personal experiences based on the medical and health topics of the blog. We encourage you to focus your comments on those medical and health topics and we appreciate your input. Thank you for your participation.

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