We have an ultrasound scheduled for the week of July 4th at Shands Womens Center. Most of our enthusiastic family and friends ask us when we will find out the sex of our baby. So the answer is .... maybe in a month, or maybe in 6 months! We are still thinking about all of the reasons why we should or should not find out the sex.
Because we try to be thoughtful, we feel like there are so many factors going into this decision. Here are just a few:
Should we use all the technology available to us?
In this "Information Age," is information really going to help us?
Will we feel more "in control" of things if we know?
Will it be easier to think of names?
Can we start to bond with a baby of unknown sex?
Shouldn't we buy baby things that go with a specific gender?
Won't there be enough surprises without throwing this in?
Do people label a baby by sex too much, i.e. "What are you having?"
Can we deal with the suspense?
Will our families want their say?
Are we leaning toward wanting a girl or boy already?
You might think: "Who cares what our culture says? Do what you want!" But the choices we make now affect the culture of the future. For example, choosing to give birth at the birth center in some small way supports midwifery everywhere. We have more influence than we know. Or you might say: "That's the cultural norm. It will make everything easier." But what about raising a family will be made easier by knowing the sex of a baby 5 months earlier? I haven't figured that one out yet.
What do you think?
Following up on what Alison wrote above, I'd like to note that ultrasounds are really about the health of the baby and Alison. I'm excited about the first ultrasound because it's a first glimpse of Rickshaw, and a way to make sure Rickshaw's developing "normally." We invite you to join us in our hopes and prayers that this first ultrasound points toward a healthy and happy life for Rickshaw and the (Rennie-)Dunn family.
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