Has anyone felt pressure regarding having a baby of a certain gender?

for instance....in order to carry on the 'family' name, DH's family wants a boy...

or there are so many boys in the family, they all want a girl....etc.

Well I'm part of the first scenario and my family has tons of girls in it so it's time for a boy.

DH tells me not to feel like this, but I feel all bad incase some are disappointed. Am I completely neurotic here? I know they'd get over it, or they wouldn't show their disappointment, but I can't help feel a little pressure over it. Anyone else feel this way?

I never cared either way...until we saw DH's brother who is in really bad condition, and he got all emotional hoping for a boy to carry on the name. I honestly would be happy with either in my heart, but now that I've heard this...I just feel bad. I know we could try again, but you just never know...

Thanks for listening to this sort-of vent.

Re: Has anyone felt pressure regarding having a baby of a certain gender?

Honestly, i wouldn't worry about it or feel bad about it! This is something that is already determined and completely 100% out of your control! No use in worrying about something that you can't change!! If people are upset, then thats their loss and its sokmething they have to deal with- not you!

Re: Has anyone felt pressure regarding having a baby of a certain gender?

I know what you mean. My brother has 2 boys and DH's sister has 4 boys!! Both parents were hoping for a girl!! Well boy #7 is on his way!!

Re: Has anyone felt pressure regarding having a baby of a certain gender?

a couple years ago everyone on DH's side was hoping for girls since the whole family was boys.....after the baby boom, now there's 5 girls! so if we have a girl it will be the 6th granddaughter for my IL's and if we have a boy it will tie it up, 5 and 5.

Now on my side its ALL girls, but my mom actually prefers girls, so I think thats what she'd be secretly hoping for....and I know my sis is really hoping for a playmate for her 7 week old daughter!!

Re: Has anyone felt pressure regarding having a baby of a certain gender?

I went through kinda of the same scenerio. MY DH family is all boys from him down to cousins and and his grandparents had all boys. SO no girls in the picture. So yes they were hoping for a girl and my mom was as well. Well SURPRISE baby boy on the way. DH and I couldn't be happier and know that there is always a possibility the next time. Family is starting to adjust and I see all the excitement in their eyes as well.

Re: Has anyone felt pressure regarding having a baby of a certain gender?

Uh yeh...my mom wants a girl so badly. Without even knowing DH and I were TTC #2, she "brainwashed" DS. When you ask DS, "do you want a baby brother or a baby sister?" he says "sistah" He's not even 2 so he definetely doesnt know the difference.

Re: Has anyone felt pressure regarding having a baby of a certain gender?

it's ridiculous for you to feel badly if it's a girl. after all, DH is the one who really determines the sex!!!...not that he has any control over it either, but it should make you feel better to know that YOU are not the one who had ANYTHING to do with the gender!

Re: Has anyone felt pressure regarding having a baby of a certain gender?

for my parents its their first grandkids alltogether to they just wanted healthy babies...DH's family already has 2 girls and 5 boys...well needless to say we are expecting 2 boys! Girls are outnumbered