How to Plan a Gender Reveal with 3D/4D Ultrasound in the DC Metro Area

How to Plan a Gender Reveal with 3D/4D Ultrasound in the DC Metro Area

There’s nothing quite like the moment you find out if you’re having a little boy or a little girl. For many families in the Washington DC, Arlington, Alexandria, and Leesburg area, that moment has turned into a full celebration — complete with balloons, confetti, and of course, a gender reveal ultrasound.

At Baby Realz in Leesburg, VA, we help expecting parents turn a simple gender determination into a magical memory. With 3D ultrasound, 4D ultrasound, and HD ultrasound, your gender reveal becomes more than just blue or pink — it becomes the first time you truly see your baby and share that experience with the people you love most.

In this guide, we’ll walk you step-by-step through planning a gender reveal using elective ultrasound, from timing and booking to reveal ideas perfect for DC-area families.

Why Choose 3D/4D/HD Ultrasound for Your Gender Reveal?

You could find out your baby’s gender in a quick medical appointment… but where’s the fun in that?

A gender reveal ultrasound at Baby Realz turns the moment into an event. Families drive in from Washington DC, Arlington VA, Alexandria VA, Ashburn, Sterling, and across Northern Virginia because they want more than just information — they want an experience.

Bonding

See Your Baby Before the Reveal

With 3D, 4D, and HD ultrasound, you don’t just find out “boy” or “girl” — you watch your baby move, stretch, yawn, and wiggle in real time before the reveal even happens.

Memories

Capture Photos & Video You’ll Rewatch Forever

You’ll leave with keepsake images (and video with certain packages), perfect for sharing on social media, playing at the reveal party, or adding to your baby’s memory book.

Celebration

Include Your Whole Support System

Our family-friendly studio in Leesburg has space for partners, siblings, grandparents, and friends to join and watch your gender reveal unfold on the big screen.

“Seeing our baby kick and wave on the screen, and then finding out the gender together, made it feel like a movie moment — totally worth the drive from DC.”

Step 1: Choose the Right Timing for Your Gender Reveal Ultrasound

Timing is everything when it comes to getting clear, confident gender results and adorable views of your baby. The good news? You have options — from early DNA testing to classic 3D/4D/HD ultrasound.

Early Option: DNA Gender Testing (Starting at 6 Weeks)

If you just can’t wait, Baby Realz offers early gender DNA testing through SneakPeek starting at about 6 weeks of pregnancy. This is perfect if you:

  • Want to plan a big gender reveal party well in advance
  • Have family flying in to the DC area and need to schedule around their visit
  • Love the idea of a private “just us” moment now and a bigger reveal later

Many parents in Washington DC and Arlington choose to come in early for DNA gender results, then schedule a later 3D/4D/HD ultrasound as the star attraction for their reveal day.

Ultrasound Gender Determination: 14+ Weeks

Traditional gender determination by ultrasound is typically reliable starting at 14 weeks, as long as baby is in a cooperative position. During your session at Baby Realz, we take our time and use multiple angles to confirm the gender whenever possible.

This timeframe is ideal if you:

  • Want your 3D/4D ultrasound and gender reveal to happen on the same day
  • Are planning a small, cozy reveal with just a few loved ones
  • Prefer seeing your baby’s gender confirmed on the big screen
Quick tip: If you’re hoping to plan a reveal party in Washington DC, Arlington, or Alexandria, try to schedule your gender reveal ultrasound 1–2 weeks before the event. That gives you time to prepare decor, desserts, and surprise details without feeling rushed.

Step 2: Decide How You Want to Learn the Gender

Before your appointment at Baby Realz, it helps to think about how you want to receive the news — and how much of a surprise you’d like it to be.

Option 1: Find Out Together on the Screen

Some parents want that instant moment: the sonographer confirms the gender, and you see it together right away. In the room, there’s usually one of two reactions: stunned silence or joyful screaming. Both are perfect.

This is great for:

  • First-time parents from DC or Arlington who want a shared “just us” moment
  • Small in-studio reveals with a few close family members watching the screen
  • Parents who plan to share the news on social media afterwards

Option 2: Have the Sonographer Keep It Secret

If you’re planning a bigger gender reveal party later, Baby Realz can keep the secret for you. We’ll confirm the gender, then:

  • Place the result in a sealed envelope
  • Hand it directly to your trusted friend, baker, or party planner
  • Or label confetti cannons, balloons, or smoke bombs without you seeing

This option is perfect if you’re hosting a reveal at home in Leesburg or Ashburn, at a park in Alexandria, or at a rooftop or event space in Washington DC.

Option 3: Split Reveal — Private First, Party Later

Many couples love having a quiet, emotional moment in the ultrasound room — then sharing a more dramatic surprise with their friends and family later.

Your timeline might look like this:

  • Visit Baby Realz in Leesburg for a 3D/4D/HD gender ultrasound
  • Find out boy or girl together in the studio
  • Keep the news between the two of you for a few days
  • Host a gender reveal with your own unique twist over the weekend

Step 3: Plan Your Gender Reveal Moment (DC, Arlington & Alexandria Ideas)

Once your gender reveal ultrasound is on the calendar, the fun begins: deciding how you’ll share the news.

Classic Reveal Ideas Using Your Baby Realz Ultrasound

  • Balloon Box Reveal: Bring a sealed envelope from Baby Realz to a local party store in Leesburg, Arlington, or DC. Have them fill a box with pink or blue balloons and seal it shut. Open it while someone records your reaction.
  • Cake or Cupcake Reveal: Give your bakery the results and ask them to tint the inside frosting. Cut into the dessert surrounded by your family in Alexandria or at a DC gathering.
  • Confetti Cannons: Perfect for outdoor spaces like Northern Virginia parks. Hand the cannons to your guests and have everyone count down to launch at the same time.

Ultrasound-Focused Reveal Ideas

Because you’re using a 3D/4D/HD elective ultrasound, you can make the actual images part of your reveal:

  • Photo Board Reveal: Display your favorite HD ultrasound photos from Baby Realz on a board with a hidden “It’s a BOY!” or “It’s a GIRL!” message underneath that you pull away in front of guests.
  • Video Premiere: Have a short video montage of your 4D ultrasound playing on a TV or projector at your party, ending with the gender announcement on screen.
  • Framed Keepsake Reveal: Ask your sonographer to quietly mark one printed ultrasound image with “boy” or “girl” on the back. Have someone frame it and hand it to you at the party — open the frame and flip it over to reveal the news.

Including Family Who Live Outside the DC Area

If your loved ones can’t travel to Leesburg, Washington DC, or Northern Virginia, you can still include them:

  • Host a small in-studio reveal at Baby Realz and livestream it
  • Share your 3D/4D ultrasound images in a group video call
  • Mail printed ultrasound photos with a hidden “scratch-off” gender message

Step 4: Make the Most of Your Session at Baby Realz

To get the best experience from your gender reveal ultrasound, a little preparation goes a long way.

Choose the Right Package

Baby Realz offers a variety of ultrasound packages, including gender determination, 3D/4D/HD sessions, and combo options:

Explore Ultrasound Packages at Baby Realz

Many DC-area parents like to pair:

  • A gender-focused session around 14–20 weeks
  • With a later HD ultrasound around 27–32 weeks for those squishy face shots

Bring Your People

Our Leesburg studio is designed for families. You’re welcome to bring your partner, kids, grandparents, and close friends — especially if you want them to be part of the reveal.

Hydrate & Have a Light Snack

Unless your provider has told you otherwise, drinking water in the days leading up to your appointment and having a light snack beforehand can sometimes help get baby moving. Active babies + 4D ultrasound = unforgettable gender reveal footage.

Frequently Asked Questions About Gender Reveal Ultrasounds

How accurate is gender determination by ultrasound?

Gender is typically accurate starting at 14 weeks, as long as baby is in a cooperative position. If baby is being shy, we’ll do our best with repositioning and extra angles to get a clear view.

Can you keep the gender a secret for our party?

Absolutely. We can seal the results in an envelope, label your reveal items, or communicate directly with your designated “secret keeper” so you can enjoy the surprise along with your guests.

Are gender reveal ultrasounds safe?

Yes. Our elective ultrasounds use the same type of ultrasound technology used in medical settings for many years. At Baby Realz, sessions are for bonding, keepsakes, and celebration and do not replace your diagnostic scans with your provider.

We’re coming from Washington DC or Arlington — how far in advance should we book?

Weekend and evening appointments fill up quickly, especially during prime gender determination weeks. We recommend booking at least 1–2 weeks in advance to secure your ideal time.

Can we combine our gender reveal with 3D/4D/HD imaging?

Yes! That’s one of the most popular choices at Baby Realz. You’ll get both the excitement of the reveal and the joy of seeing your baby’s features in 3D, 4D, or HD.

Ready to Plan Your Gender Reveal in the DC Metro Area?

Whether you’re hosting a rooftop party in Washington DC, a backyard celebration in Arlington or Alexandria, or a cozy gathering at home in Leesburg, your gender reveal begins with one special moment on the big screen.

Ready to book your gender reveal ultrasound?
Reserve your 3D/4D/HD elective ultrasound at Baby Realz and start planning a celebration you’ll never forget.

Book Your Gender Reveal Ultrasound
or contact us through our Contact Page or by calling (571) 571-4446.

We can’t wait to help you meet your baby and celebrate the moment you find out — together.

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