Parent's Talk: New Parent Dilemma, Find Out the Sex of the Baby?

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It's nearly that time. That time in every pregnancy where you have THE ultrasound to find out the sex of your baby.

As that time quickly approaches for me in my second trimester, I face a personal dilemma.

As a reporter I am naturally curious and want to know everything up front as much as possible. But I have always enjoyed surprises.

My husband is sure he doesn't want to know the sex of the baby, but my certainty waivers as we get ready for baby.

Getting all the baby gear, painting the nursery and just preparing for baby's arrival is quite a bit of work. There are times when I want to get only girl or boy clothes and not worry about remaining neutral. I've always loved pink and wouldn't mind knowing if I can get pretty pink dresses and paint a name in pink on the wall.

Many argue why do colors matter when it comes to dressing or decorating for a baby? They won't know or care if they aren't wearing the gender-specified clothes. The clothes will all get spit up on anyway, right?

Right. But it seems society is geared from birth to look at things in pink and blue. And others would say to me, what's wrong with that?

I don't plan on being discriminatory when it comes to toys. If a little boy wants to play with dolls that's fine or if a little girl wants to play with mini-monster trucks or Transformers, good for her.

And yet, there is an inner struggle. If a girl wants to break through the gender barrier to play, for example, football it's been done even if she gets teased about it. It was done in my own high school. But sometimes it doesn't happen the other way. Boys can get just as much if not more flack for doing something "girly" like being in ballet classes then girls get for playing football. I've seen both. I was in dance classes with boys at a popular and well-known dance school and I was friends with a girl who was the kicker on my high school football team. At the time, as a peer, I didn't think much of it.

But let's back up a bit. I'm getting far ahead of myself. All I want to know is the sex of the baby, or do I? I think perhaps not knowing can be freeing for parents. It gives them the chance to wonder, even if that wonder gives way to gnawing curiosity. Perhaps it's less limiting then already knowing. But just because you know if its a boy or girl doesn't mean you have to buy blue or pink clothes and decor.

I'm sure there is no wrong answer. It's a very individual question. And then there is always the chance that you can't find out because during the ultrasound the baby is positioned so you can't tell the sex or what is seen at the time isn't accurate, and when the big day comes you get a surprise anyway. I've heard of both of these scenarios happening.

Life doesn't always dole out many fun surprises. Not finding this out could be one of the last fun surprises, but I have a feeling that in parenting there are plenty of surprises, big and small, good and bad and even fun.

For now, I'm content as long as the baby is healthy and happy. The rest is just details.

What do you think? Were you glad or relieved to know the sex of the baby sooner rather than later or happy to have a surprise? Is knowing better than not knowing? Why or why not? Share your thoughts in the comment section below!