Q&A
Trying to Conceive: Can You Influence Your Baby's Gender?
Question:
I heard from a friend that there's actually a method to increase the odds of conceiving a child of the gender we wish by timing intercourse and choosing the right sexual positions. How do I do this?
Your friend is probably talking about the Shettles method, which is based on the premise that you can influence the reproductive environment to favor either the male or female sperm.
In order to influence the gender of your baby-to-be, the theory requires you to learn how to keep track of your fertility cycle so you can correctly time intercourse. Therefore, it is a good idea to keep a basal body temperature/ cervical mucus chart for a few cycles before you start trying for your baby.
According to the theory, the male (Y-chromosome-carrying) sperm are small and fast swimmers but are relatively short-lived, whereas the female (X-chromosome-carrying) sperm are larger, sluggish and more resilient.
Based on these differences, it is believed that the male sperm's faster speed will win the race to the egg under ideal conditions and conceive a boy, but under less than ideal conditions it is the female sperm's resiliance that ensures successful fertilization.
Therefore, if you're trying for a boy, you should time your intercourse as close to ovulation as possible. The rear-entry position supposedly favors the conception of a boy because it deposits the male sperm closer to the egg.
If you're going to a girl, avoid sex on your peak days of fertility. Instead, have intercourse 2-3 days before ovulation. Try the missionary position because the shallow penetration makes it harder for weaker male sperm to reach the egg.
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