OK, Now People Are Bringing Friends to Their Ultrasounds

Monique Samuels calls it the new gender reveal party. It's when women invite friends and family to... their ultrasound. 

"It’s supposed to be a gender reveal," The Real Housewives of Potomac mom explains, adding, "So I was really excited to say, let’s get together, let’s bond over this."

So, why exactly are people dragging friends along to a doctor's appointment, the kind where you can receive any kind of news?

One medical organization advises to think hard before you bring a guest to your ultrasound. They offer up some important questions to ask yourself before you bring someone to such an intimate experience. 

"What if the ultrasound reveals an abnormality? It’s not unusual to spot something on the ultrasound that requires follow-up. It may turn out to be nothing, but we may not know that at the time. In rare cases, we may have to give parents devastating news. It’s important for parents to realize we are gathering a lot of vital information about fetal development during the ultrasound. Is the baby’s growth normal? Are the organs developing as they should be? Does the uterus and placenta appear healthy?"

Are you willing to share this experience with other people... no matter what happens?

Plus, if the doctor can’t determine the baby’s gender at the time, that may be a disappointment. "I've seen patients burst into tears of disappointment upon hearing the gender, so think about how you might react and whether you want others to witness it," says the report. 

If you are comfortable with whatever the outcome may be, the ultrasound party trend is quickly spreading. Ultrasound companies like Peek-a-View even offer gender reveal packages and parties starting at $99. They hand out gender-reveal photos and make videos of the heartbeat for guests. There's a higher-end party package with a gender-reveal cake, games, and gift bags.