Pregnant - do Polish parents want to know the sex of the baby in advance?

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Edited by: Teffle Nov 22, 11, 14:56 #1

As far as I know it isn't unusual, certainly among non Poles, NOT to want to know until the big day. It's a surprise etc, simple. Just because you CAN know doesn't mean you have to.

As I said, I think this isn't that strange in most countries - probably more common to want to know but still...

However according to the Poles I've mentioned this to it's almost unthinkable: "Why on earth would you not want to know?" "What a bizarre attitude - anti medical science perspective!" etc etc

So what's the story - is this really unusual in Poland??

OlafThreads: 8 Posts: 1,369 Joined: Oct 29, 09 ♂	Nov 22, 11, 15:03 #2
From what I know, my friends all knew before and I couldn't understand that it's so obvious to them to check before birth. But I am almost sure I wouldn't be checking. You know, this atmosphere of suspense...

TeffleThreads: 28 Posts: 2,105 Joined: Aug 26, 10 ♂	Nov 22, 11, 15:37 #3
Olaf: my friends all knew before Polish friends? Olaf: But I am almost sure I wouldn't be checking. You know, this atmosphere of suspense... aha! and you're not Polish either eh? Interesting.... : )

pipThreads: 11 Posts: 1,293 Joined: Jul 4, 11 ♀	Nov 22, 11, 16:03 #4
it is the one true surprise left. we didn't find out but most of our polish friends did. i am not polish.

OlafThreads: 8 Posts: 1,369 Joined: Oct 29, 09 ♂	Nov 22, 11, 16:15 #5
Teffle: Polish friends? Yes. Teffle: Interesting.... For me it's much more interesting not to know. After all, you cannot change it, there's nothing you can do and why should you do anything? Just relax and wait - and let the surprise bang you in the head like a sledgehammer ;)

TeffleThreads: 28 Posts: 2,105 Joined: Aug 26, 10 ♂	Nov 22, 11, 16:57 #6
pip: we didn't find out but most of our polish friends did. i am not polish. Hmmm Olaf: For me it's much more interesting not to know. After all, you cannot change it, there's nothing you can do and why should you do anything? Just relax and wait - and let the surprise bang you in the head like a sledgehammer ;) Well yeah, I agree but do many Poles agree? It's not looking that way yet.

ReservoirDogThreads: - Posts: 220 Joined: Nov 22, 11 ♀	Nov 22, 11, 17:08 #7
Well yeah, I agree but do many Poles agree? It's not looking that way yet. Poles are impatient :) Now seriously, I think that checking the sex of the baby is not as important as checking if it does have any illness / disabilities.

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Nov 22, 11, 21:26 #8

Here it is the practice to know, so they usually give the baby a name before it is born. And they tend to emphasize that it is irrelevant and only health is important. Like mantra, compulsive behavior to reduce anxiety, that I totally understand.

So, new parents say on the day of the birth : Lazar, Ana... is born :))

That is cute but silly because until he pops out he is not really a detached unit. He is de jure and de facto just one of mom's parts.

Pregnancy for women is the period when they are quite reduced to biological, and not so attractive, basics. Men don't have to face that kind of severe reduction to the biological aspects monthly, yearly and so they are in a way more social beings than we are. More... human than we will ever be ;)

I knew only one guy who liked the appearance of gravid women, but I suspect that his disorder progressed to SCH now. (a comment without reference to sex is impossible for me)
;)

stop the earth i want to get off

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Nov 22, 11, 21:52 #9

So, new parents say on the day of the birth : Lazar, Ana... is born :))

That is cute but silly because until he pops out he is not really a detached unit. He is de jure and de facto just one of mom's parts.

I don't agree. If the baby can live without mom then it's not anymore one of her parts (from 7 month of pregnancy I assume). So following this on the day of birth people can say: Ana is born :)

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Nov 22, 11, 22:08 #10

ReservoirDog:

If the baby can live without mom then it's not anymore one of her parts

And if something happens to the mom in the period between 7 and 9th month of pregnancy without 10 doctors around or close enough at the moment, what is happening to the baby?

You are talking about magics of science but

a) large parts of the human population still don't have access to adequate medical care

b) it is not covering many situations

When it is born, 7th moth or 9th month irrelevant, it is a full human being with all the horrors that come with the human title then we can talk about Ana or Lazar :)

stop the earth i want to get off

Wroclaw BoyThreads: 57 Posts: 5,478 Joined: Jul 3, 09 MEMBER ♂	Nov 22, 11, 22:12 #11
I read somewhere that the unborn baby is unaware that it is an entity till x date, it believes that it and the mother are actually one.

TeffleThreads: 28 Posts: 2,105 Joined: Aug 26, 10 ♂	Nov 22, 11, 22:38 #12
Natasa: Here it is the practice to know, Here being Serbia or do you mean Poland? Natasa: I knew only one guy who liked the appearance of gravid women Only one?? ; ) Natasa: a comment without reference to sex is impossible for me) ...and that's why we love you ! Seriously though, I have never encountered so much resistance to "the surprise birth" as I have with Poles.

ReservoirDogThreads: - Posts: 220 Joined: Nov 22, 11 ♀	Nov 22, 11, 22:44 #13
And if something happens to the mom in the period between 7 and 9th month of pregnancy without 10 doctors around or close enough at the moment, what is happening to the baby? So sick people are not real people because they need medical care?

Wroclaw BoyThreads: 57 Posts: 5,478 Joined: Jul 3, 09 MEMBER ♂	Nov 22, 11, 22:49 #14
I wasnt bothered about knowing the sex of my child but my Polish wife wanted too, so - you don't generally mess with a pregnant wife.... its all yes sir, no sir, three bags full sir....

pamThreads: 22 Posts: 463 Joined: Oct 11, 11 MEMBER ♀	Nov 23, 11, 01:49 #15
unless you have specific reasons eg genetic problems within the family, why would you want to know? having a child is a gift, not to maybe decide whether you should choose pink or blue clothes. if you want a baby then it shouldnt make a difference what sex it is. all that counts is hopefully the child is born healthy.

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Nov 23, 11, 02:27 #16

pip:

it is the one true surprise left. we didn't find out but most of our polish friends did. i am not polish.

Exactly. We found out the sex with my first born. With the second one I knew what's coming, so we didn't find out to get at least one surprise.

However, many of dreams come true, and I was dreaming at least once a week about getting a blond boy and there he was a couple of months later. So I sort of knew the second time around as well.

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Nov 24, 11, 00:32 #17

Teffle:

Here being Serbia or do you mean Poland?

Meaning Belgrade mostly inhabited by Serbs, Monetengro inhabited by Serbs who think they are Montengrians ;)

poles as I can see, are curious as well.

Teffle:

Only one?? ; )

I am a liar. Caught. In flagranti.

Men here in general show only some sympathies for pregnant hotties, rarely interest. Perhaps that is why I still don't have a kid , if I am forced to face the choice pregnancy or sex, I think my hands are tied and locked to the bed :)))))

Wroclaw Boy:

I read somewhere that the unborn baby is unaware that it is an entity till x date, it believes that it and the mother are actually one.

Even born baby is unaware, it is in symbiosis with the mom, natural for newborns, necessary for mom. Separation and maturation issues.

stop the earth i want to get off

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