Jul 2010
9
Just Tell Me If There’s a Penis or Not!
Do You Have a Penis or Not Baby?
This gendering issue is turning into a huge gong show here in my home town of Victoria BC. First some news outlets reported about 12 weeks ago that Vancouver Island Health Authority (VIHA) was going to charge $50 for parents to find out the gender of their unborn child. VIHA quickly responded and said that a review of their policy was happening but that a fee was not being introduced at this time.
Then a few short weeks later, it came out that VIHA would no longer, under any medically unnecessary circumstance, tell parents the gender of their baby. That prompted me to write this blog post because it made me feel angry that VIHA had made that decision. Even though I knew the policy, I still held out a little hope that they would at least hint to me in the ultrasound if it was a girl or a boy.
I just had my ultrasound on Monday of this week and even though the tech clearly saw the sex of the baby, (she actually looked for it to see if she could see) she did not whisper single word. I even tried to get her to give us a hint and she was tight lipped.
Then I had hope yesterday morning when a friend sent me this article from the local paper saying that VIHA would send the sex of the baby to the care provider to tell the client after the 22 week mark of the pregnancy. I was excited to hear the news but skeptical because I work for VIHA in another area and I know that would be an administration nightmare; I could not imagine VIHA implementing that process.
My instincts were right. I called Island Ultrasound earlier this morning, and the receptionist confirmed that the information in the Times Colonist was inaccurate. She reaffirmed that VIHA would not be revealing the gender of fetuses unless it was deemed medically necessary.
So I am still stuck with a big decision. Do I wait to find out the gender of baby #3 or do I pay for a private ultrasound? I would really like to know if it is a girl because if it is, I would love to paint the nursery ahead of time and get some pink stuff!! Furthermore, I would love to know if I am going to get a chance to use those little pink sweaters my mother crocheted before she died and I want to know if I will ever have another female in the house to share my celebrity crush with or my shopping or gossip column obsession.
God damn, couldn’t they just tell me if their was a penis or not!?!
Should I shell out the bucks for the private u/s? Could I actually wait to find out?
What is up with that? Why have they decided to stop informing parents of the sex of their children? I am so very confused by this.
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If they see the sex in the course of a regular ultrasound I don’t understand why I would not have the right to know. I mean the baby is in my body, I should be given that choice.
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Love your blog!!! So the tech stopped at the genital area so you could figure it for yourself?! What kind of hints did you ask? I cannot believe that they will not tell us this vital piece of information!! UGH. I have my ultrasound booked for July 31 and the gender assessment a month later. Thanks for the info!
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modishmama Reply:
July 9th, 2010 at 9:12 pm
Not a single hint Rosalie. I even tried to get her to say something in code. She had a great poker face. I think it might be a girl as it was very different from my other 2 boys when she went over the area, but I don’t want to get my hopes up until I know for sure.
Thanks for reading!
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I say go for the 3D ultrasound. I would pay the extra $50 and get the regular ultrasound package at 3D Baby Vision instead of just the gender assessment. We did it with Josie even though we found out her gender at our regular ultrasound. It’s $149 and it’s one of the coolest things ever. Plus they give you a bunch of images on a cd and they’ll print out 2 of your choice. I think we’ll be doing it again when it’s time for baby #2.
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modishmama Reply:
July 9th, 2010 at 9:09 pm
I’m going to book it becasue I think i need to know. My Dad is not happy I am getting a private one but whatever
.
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I posted this info on your thread on KIV.
I’m totally in agreement with you. What a gong show!!!
Dr. Cooper’s office is offering quick gender assessment ultrasounds on Saturdays with an ultrasound technician for $79 after 22 weeks, preferably between 22-25 weeks.
250-592-5633
#306-2020 Richmond Avenue
http://www.epau.ca/
http://www.epau.ca/?page_id=19
Also, one KIV’r mentioned she was going over to Vancouver for a little getaway and there is a great spa over there that specializes in maternity and 3D ultrasound, with some good offers.
Som Visao Spa
http://www.somvisao.com/ultrasound/mommy-monday
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modishmama Reply:
July 10th, 2010 at 3:53 am
The Spa idea looks kind of enticing. But Dr. Coopers office is literally just around the corner from me so that could be great. I could just walk on over! I may call there on Mon. and see if I can book soon. When r u due Cindy?
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cindylu Reply:
July 10th, 2010 at 2:15 pm
It’s the same for me ~ literally around the corner from Dr. Cooper’s office! I’m due late December, and this is #2 for me. I have a daughter who is 3.
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modishmama Reply:
July 10th, 2010 at 3:22 pm
This is #3 for me. I have a 3yo boy and a 15mo boy. We are hoping for a girl this time
I have some good news for you. No private ultrasound needed. According to the “Baby Dash 2010″ stats you will be having a girl. There has been a major influx of penises and will continue until the end of Sept(according to ultrasounds prior to this fiasco), and starting in Oct everyone that managed to acquire the gender knowledge of their baby is having a girl.
Since you are due near the end of the year, the “Baby Dash 2010″ rules state you will have a girl.
…congrats.
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modishmama Reply:
July 12th, 2010 at 3:13 am
I am so glad your scientific reasoning tells me it is a girl this way I can save the $100 smackers and just trust you. Well… I do trust your judgment a great deal but, I think i may still have the ultrasound. No offense. I love the FB page and have already had some great compliments about it.
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i was devestated when they wouldn’t even hint or let us look at the genital region to see for ourselves during our ultrasound. a friend told me about dr.cooper, and the best part is that if they can’t tell due to baby’s position, they wont charge you, and you can rebook!
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I’m also very frustrated by this policy… I don’t want (or have) an extra $80 – $150 to spend on another ultrasound!! Its not right that mother’s in other parts of the province get to find out for free, yet we have to pay, and in many cases book time of work!
I also find it complete highway robbery that the cheapest way to find out on the Island is $80, yet if I was in Vancouver, I could book one for 1/2 that cost!!!! Why?? because mothers on Vancouver island have NO OTHER CHOICE.
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