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Can you really choose the sex of your baby?
For as long as we’ve been making babies, women have been exchanging ideas about how to increase their chances of having either a boy or a girl. Unfortunately there’s a lack of evidence that any of them actually work!Having said that, there’ll always be a mum who tells you about a method she thinks worked for her. So if you fancy defying the experts and trying to tip the balance towards one sex yourself, why not try some of the suggestions below. Bear in mind none of them are scientific!
Folklore says you’re more likely to conceive a boy are if...
- You have sex on the day of ovulation
- You reach orgasm before your partner, as this releases an alkaline fluid, thought to be more male-sperm friendly than the vagina’s natural acidity.
- You have deep penetration during sex, such as from behind (doggie-style).
- Your partner has a high sperm count.
- You avoid sex for a week before ovulation and then only have sex once on ovulation day, to keep the sperm count high.
- Your partner suggested the love-making.
- You make love at night.
- You make love on odd days of the month.
- Your partner keeps his genitals cool by wearing boxer shorts and loose-fitting trousers.
- You eat salty food, plenty of meat, fish, white flour, pasta, fresh fruit, certain vegetables, but avoid milk and dairy products, such as yoghurt and cheese, nuts, chocolate, shellfish and wholemeal bread.
- Eat a high calorie diet or put weight on between babies.
Folklore says you’re more likely to conceive a girl if...
- You have sex earlier on in your cycle, a few days before your day of ovulation.
- Your partner reaches orgasm before you.
- You have sex frequently.
- You keep penetration shallow.
- You stop having unprotected sex four to five days before ovulation.
- Your partner keeps his genitals warm by wearing close-fitting underwear and tight trousers (although this isn’t likely to do his general fertility any good!)
- You suggested the love-making.
- You make love in the afternoon.
- You make love on even days of the month.
- You put a wooden spoon under your bed and a pink ribbon under your pillow.
- You drink plenty of milk and eat dairy products such as cheese and yoghurt, unsalted foods, rice, pasta, certain vegetables, mineral water, limited amounts of meat and potatoes, but avoid salt and any salty foods, wine and beer, fresh fruit, spinach, tomatoes and mushrooms, chocolate, coffee and tea.
Some other techniques are recommended as part of the Shettles method of sex selection. Find out What the scientists say about this and other methods.
Already pregnant? Take our sex predictor test to find out if you’re likely to be expecting a girl or a boy. And find out if folklore predicts you’re carrying a boy or girl here.
