Many women want to know the sex of their baby as soon as they know they are pregnant. This is completely understandable, which is why it is possible to make an appointment for a sex ultrasound. In Utrecht, you can make an appointment for a gender ultrasound at Focus Midwifery Centre.
What is a sex ultrasound?
A gender ultrasound focuses on determining the sex of your baby. This is not a standard ultrasound scan during pregnancy and is often referred to as a “fun ultrasound“. You can choose to have this ultrasound at one of the ultrasound centers in Utrecht. As this is an optional scan, you will have to pay for it yourself, and you can check the prices on the Focus website. Apart from finding out your baby’s sex, it’s also a great moment to see your baby again. Your baby is growing quickly, and it’s nice to be able to follow this through an ultrasound scan.
When should I book a gender ultrasound in Utrecht?
The best time to schedule a gender ultrasound is from the 15th week of pregnancy. Some ultrasound centers offer a sex scan earlier, but it’s important to realize that this may be less reliable. After 15 weeks, the chances of accurately determining the sex are very high. If the sonographer is unsure, or if the baby is not in a good position to see clearly , he or she will always call in a colleague or ask you to come back at another time. When the sonographer tells you the sex, you can be sure it is correct.
Gender ultrasound result
During the gender scan, the sonographer will ask you if you would like the gender to be revealed immediately or if you would prefer to have it written down (in a sealed envelope) to take home. This gives you the option of finding out later, just the two of you, or at a more private time with family and friends, such as a gender reveal party. Choose what suits you best.
Focus Midwifery Centre is a collaboration between six midwifery practices in Utrecht, including the Breedstraat practice. At Focus, medical ultrasound scans are performed, such as the 20-week ultrasound scan and growth ultrasound scans. But you can also go there for ‘fun ultrasounds’, including 3D ultrasounds and regular 2D ultrasounds. For a gender scan, a 15-minute 2D scan is usually enough, but you can have a longer scan if you want.
What happens if an abnormality is found?
During a gender scan, the sonographer may find something unusual, such as a physical abnormality in the baby. The sonographer is required to tell you if he or she sees anything of concern. However, this is not the purpose of the scan as you are there to find out the sex of your baby. The sonographer will not be looking specifically for abnormalities, as they would at a 20-week scan, but sometimes something may be noticed during the scan. The sonographer will explain what this means, and sometimes it may be necessary to repeat the scan or be referred to hospital.