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My SIL did; it was their second and last, and she had herself completely convinced that it was a girl. She's always add on something about how she would be thrilled with another boy too, but she really felt like it was a girl. Well, it wasn't a girl. And yeah, it did seem to affect the initial bonding a bit. I mean, obviously she got over it pretty quickly and loves him to death, but I've seen the pictures her mom took of the look on her face when baby was born and she found out he was a boy. It wasn't great.

Meanwhile, I went through the same exact disappointment (we were pregnant at the same time, both ended up being a second boy), but I found out at my ultrasound. I do think she probably got over her gender disappointment quicker than I did since he was there in her arms. But for me, I wanted absolutely no disappointment in the moment I met my child - I'd rather go through it beforehand.

@rachiecakes: I had a few therapy sessions after finding out i was having a boy this time around. After having a younger brother pass away and being in a similar situation as my parents where we had a girl first, then a boy, I have been told for years that boys are cursed/doomed in my family, I needed to work some of that out before he got here. It was incredibly helpful and helped me disassociate

I had a flash of disappointment at delivery...I was SO sure it was going to be a girl. But it really was just a flash of "Huh, I thought you'd be a girl!" and then it was over because oh-my-god-there's-a-baby-in-my-arms.

That said, the last lady McK born to this family will be 79 in November (lonnng string of boys!), and this will be both our last baby and the last child born into this generation, so we're probably going to find out ahead of time this time, just so we can prepare all of the family members that are praying for a girl (and to get any disappointment D and I might feel out of the way before it gets here).

I tink if there are extenuating circumstances like @rachiecakes: and @blackbird: mentioned then it definitely makes sense to find out early and have time to work through things.

But if it's just your average case of "I have a boy and I want a girl now" I think finding out at the birth is the best option. Because really, who has a disappointment when they are holding their brand new healthy baby in their arms?

I have two friends who really wanted a girl after two boys. Both had third boys and it took weeks of coping to gear up. I think it makes sense in that case to find out early to get yourself in the right frame of mind. You can still do a really fun celebration after finding out.

@lovehoneybee: Gaa it's so awful when family has expectations about something you absolutely cannot control!!!!

We were TG originally last time, but chose to find out once we knew the baby had issues. Now, having lost a girl, we chose to find out as early as possible (through the genetic screening) this time, because I needed more time to process. I would absolutely have been sad if it was a boy, after having been all geared up for a girl last time. I didn't want to be dealing with any of that once LO was actually here. I agree that if there's any concern on your part that you'll be disappointed, I would find out early.

This is specifically why I find out. I knew I would be disappointed if my second and final child was also a girl, and surprise, she is and I was. At 29 weeks I've had my feelings, and now I'm over them. I'm really glad I had that chance and can now go into my birth with nothing but excitement.