Guides

How to Ask Your Sonographer to Keep the Gender a Secret

Published 30 September 2026

If you're planning a gender reveal, you want the person doing your scan to find out the sex, and you don't. Sonographers get this request a lot, so don't be shy about asking. A little planning makes it go smoothly.

Before the scan

• Check whether your clinic will tell you. Some hospitals have a policy of not revealing the sex at routine scans. Private scan clinics usually offer gender scans, often from around 16 weeks. Ask when you book.
• Decide how you'll receive it. A handwritten note in an envelope, or a digital envelope on your phone. Having a plan makes it easy for the sonographer.

What to say

At the start of the scan, something like:

"We're doing a gender reveal, so we don't want to know. Please don't tell us or show us on the screen. Could you record it for us at the end?"

It also helps to ask them to warn you before any views where the sex might be visible, so you can look away.

How they can record it

On paper: they write it down and seal it in an envelope. Keep it somewhere safe and resist the urge to hold it up to the light.

On your phone: open genderenvelope.com, tap Start and hand your phone over. The sonographer taps Boy or Girl and seals it, and the screen stays blank afterwards. Before you set a PIN, they can double-check their answer behind a confirmation pop-up. You then lock it with a PIN and get a link to share with your baker or family.

Good to know

• Sonographers can't always tell, depending on the baby's position. Have a back-up plan, like a re-check at a later scan.
• Ultrasound gender predictions are usually right but not guaranteed, especially early in pregnancy.
• Thank them! It's an extra step in a busy day, and most are happy to be part of the surprise.