Is it a boy or a girl? That's a very common question, and one that an ultrasound sonographer would often answer in the past if they could see the necessary evidence. Today, however, some Canadian hospitals are refusing to share this information with mothers-to-be in fear that the answer could possibly lead to female infanticide and feticide. So what's a mom-to-be to do?  Well, some are turning to other tests, such as 3D ultrasounds, in order to learn the sex of their fetus. 

Why is Infanticide a Concern?

In some cultures and countries, male babies are preferred over girls. Unfortunately, a recent study conducted in Ontario revealed a startling finding. It showed that the second and third babies of mothers who were born in South Korea and India were significantly more likely to be male. The study strongly suggested the possibility that female fetuses were being aborted.

This preference for boys has caused a big gender imbalance in some countries. For example, in China, because there is now a huge shortage of woman, approximately 35 to 40 million men will not be able to marry. 

What if You Really Want to Know?

Of course, you have no plans of committing feticide. You just want to know the sex of your baby so that you can paint your baby's room the right color or so that you can purchase the appropriate clothing. Or perhaps you need to know the sex of your baby for medical reasons. If you really need or want to discover the sex of the baby, you could always opt to:

• Have a 3D ultrasound performed at a private clinic. These ultrasounds are also popular because they give new parents an astoundingly clear image of their baby. These images can also be used to detect medical problems, such as a cleft palate, that your unborn baby may have. 
• Have a blood test performed to determine the sex of your child. There is a new test available that can determine the sex of your baby through your blood. 
• Use amniocentesis to check your baby's chromosomes. In this test, a needle is inserted into the uterus and a small amount of amniotic fluid is removed and tested. This test is typically done on older women to check if the fetus has any genetic problems. 

While not all new parents want to know the sex of their unborn baby, there are many who enjoy having this information so that they can be prepared when their new bundle of joy arrives. If you are in this latter category, you should consider having one of these tests performed. To learn more, contact a company like Tiny Hearts 3D Ultrasound with any questions you have.