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Ask A Midwife

Q. How soon can one tell the sex of the baby during the pregnancy? My wife is a little over 3 months.

A. Most folks can determine the sex of their baby by ultrasound by around 18-20 weeks, sometimes sooner. Of course, and amniocentesis can determine things a bit sooner, but not recommended except in certain circumstances. For every method you employ to provide such information, You also need to review the risks. Having an ultrasound just to determine the baby's sex is not usually recommended. If you have a dating and screening ultrasound, sometimes that will be enough. The findings are not always 100%, even with qualified technicians.

For more information, here is a web site with ultrasound photos, including "gender shots:"

• Ultrasound Gallery

Pat Sonnenstuhl is a semi-retired nurse midwife with over 30 years of experience in health care (first as an RN, then as an ARNP, CNM). She has experience with hospital nursing/midwifery and home and birth center midwifery.

Two areas of special interest to her are GBS and nutrition.

She is about empowerment, and helping folks find their own answers, what is right for them, not what is right for her. But, she wants you well informed.