Is it possible to choose your baby’s sex? Most couples these days are finding ways to pre-determine the sex of their baby before conception. However, this is easier said than done.
Up until now, science and modern technology have yet to find a way to accurately choose the sex of your baby. It can be possible with the help of Artificial Insemination (AI) or in-vitro fertilization (IVF), but these methods are expensive and do not guarantee results.
If you’re looking for a more affordable and widely-available method, you can try the Shettles method. This isn’t 100% effective, but compared to the procedures mentioned above, it’s also worth giving a shot as its free.
The Shettles method uses timing and knowledge of a sperm’s characteristics to its advantage.
A woman’s egg cell contains the X chromosomes. A sperm cell can either be X or Y. If a Y-sperm fertilizes the egg (X), the baby will be a boy (XY). If an X-sperm fertilizes the egg (X), the baby will be a girl (XX).
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| Photo from Unsplash |
X and Y sperms have different characteristics
Y Sperm (boy):
-Smaller
-Moves faster
-Shorter lifespan, only living up to 24 hours
X Sperm (girl):
-More fit
-Moves slowly
-Can last longer, up to 3-4 days in a woman’s body
Therefore, if you have intercourse some days before ovulation, most of the Y-Sperm cells would have died leaving mostly X-Sperm cells to fertilize the egg.
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| Photo from Unsplash |
How to determine ovulation
Here's a simple way to calculate your ovulation period.
1. From the first day, you see the blood of your period.
2. Pick up a calendar and count 15 days including the first day of the bloodstain.
3. Mark the 15th day with a pen.
4. Mark 3 days before the 15th day, and mark 3 days after the 15th day.
6. You will notice you have 7 days marked.
These 7 days are your ovulation/fertile days also known as the unsafe period.
That is if you have sex on any of these days, then you have 98% chances of being pregnant.
7. Do this every month diligently
For Example
1. If your period is 11th July
2. 15 days after the first day of the bloodstain will be on 25th of this July too (2weeks after) counting from 11th.
3. 15th day is on the 25th July
4. 3days before the 15th day is 22, 23, 24.
5. 3days after 25th July is 26,27,28.
6. 22-28th July (7days) is when you are ovulating. It is your fertile period.
2. Pick up a calendar and count 15 days including the first day of the bloodstain.
3. Mark the 15th day with a pen.
4. Mark 3 days before the 15th day, and mark 3 days after the 15th day.
6. You will notice you have 7 days marked.
These 7 days are your ovulation/fertile days also known as the unsafe period.
That is if you have sex on any of these days, then you have 98% chances of being pregnant.
7. Do this every month diligently
For Example
1. If your period is 11th July
2. 15 days after the first day of the bloodstain will be on 25th of this July too (2weeks after) counting from 11th.
3. 15th day is on the 25th July
4. 3days before the 15th day is 22, 23, 24.
5. 3days after 25th July is 26,27,28.
6. 22-28th July (7days) is when you are ovulating. It is your fertile period.
If you want a baby boy, it is advised to have sex right around the time of ovulation. But if you want a baby girl, you must wait until a few days before your ovulation.
This method was formulated by Landrum B. Shettles in the 19602s. This gender-selection method is claimed to be only 75% accurate.
SOURCES: What to Expect | Baby Center | The Bump