Many couples want a baby boy, but it’s impossible to guarantee the gender of your child. However, you can sway the odds by following these tips.
Boost your chances of conceiving a baby boy by eating a lot of high-potassium foods like bananas, spuds and leafy greens. Also, wear tighter underwear like boxer shorts when you have sex, as they make the scrotum warmer.
The Shettles Method
Many couples have a preference for the sex of their baby. It may seem taboo to reveal this desire to others, but it’s not uncommon. Many people even go so far as to try and influence the sex of their unborn child through various methods of child conception. These include sex positions, dietary changes, and various health-related approaches.
American doctor Landrum Shettles developed the “Shettles Method” in the 1960s and promoted it in the 1971 book Your Baby’s Sex: Now You Can Choose. Shettles believed that the sex of a pregnancy is determined by the speed and position of sperm during conception. He studied sperm to determine what might impact their speed and positioning, including a variety of factors such as timing of intercourse, sexual positions, and vaginal pH.
According to Shettles, the cervical mucus becomes more alkaline close to ovulation, which helps fast-moving Y chromosome sperm beat slower X chromosome sperm to fertilize an egg. He recommended that couples try to have sex as close to ovulation as possible in order to increase the likelihood of conceiving a boy.
He also advised that the woman should have sex in a back entry or dog-style position to further encourage Y sperm to get to the egg. The man should bathe in cool water to further favor Y sperm and wear white shorts, which Shettles theorized would make his sperm more visible. He also claimed that consuming high-potassium foods like bananas, salmon, avocados, and potatoes would help.
Despite Shettles’ claims, there is very little scientific evidence to support his theories. Many medical professionals, including gynecologists, will not endorse his methods. That said, there is no guarantee that any method will work for everyone. There is also no way to ensure that any future pregnancy will result in a boy, as it depends on genetics and other variables. Still, there is no harm in trying to conceive a boy using these methods if it’s something that you and your partner want to do. The most important thing is to have a healthy pregnancy.
The Whelan Method
This method claims that a woman’s body goes through biochemical changes at different points in her cycle. It’s said that when these changes occur it can favour either boy sperm or girl sperm to fertilize an egg. According to the Whelan Method a woman can have sex four days before her basal body temperature rises to indicate ovulation to increase her chances of having a baby boy, or she can have sex two to three days after ovulation to increase her chances of a girl. This sex schedule can be difficult to follow as it requires monitoring your ovulation with at-home ovulation kits.
Another aspect of this method is the sex position that should be adopted. The sex position suggested is penetration from behind, with the woman being entered in dog-style (the man lies on his back) to increase the chance of a boy. Alternatively, women should enter from above in missionary position to improve their chances of having a girl. The Whelan Method also suggests that females orgasm during sex to give male sperm an advantage.
A diet of high alkaline foods is recommended to favour the survival of sperm. Foods that are high in alkaline include citrus fruits, root vegetables and leafy greens. It’s also claimed that a woman should wear tighter underwear to help her sperm swim faster and survive.
There is no hard evidence that these gender swaying methods actually work. However, they can be fun and may give couples something to think about when trying for a baby boy or girl. There is no doubt that eating a balanced diet, including protein-rich foods, healthy fats and fruit and vegetable intake, is a good idea for all. However, the idea that certain sexual positions, ovulation timing or even what you eat can impact your child’s gender is a little far-fetched.
The Ovulation Method
Currently, there are no known natural methods of gender selection that guarantee a baby boy. Sex determination comes down to which sperm fertilizes the egg, and that sperm must carry the Y chromosome for the baby to be male. Since the odds are about 50/50 for a girl or boy, people often try to do whatever they can to increase their chances of having a son. Some of these methods have been backed up by science while others are just old wives tales.
Some people believe that by timing their sexual activity correctly, they can help conceive a boy. The Shettles Method says that to get a boy, women should have sex on the day of ovulation or just before. The Whelan Method suggests having sex four to six days before ovulation. Using an ovulation calculator can help you figure out your most fertile times of the month.
According to Shettles, having deep penetration during sex will give male sperm a head start in their race to the egg. He also advised women to orgasm first, as this creates an alkaline secretion that is believed to help boy sperm survive. Other experts suggest that drinking a cup of coffee before sex might give boy sperm an extra boost of energy, because caffeine stimulates the adrenaline glands.
Another idea is to have sex while there’s a quarter moon on the night sky, as this is thought to make it easier for the male swimmers to reach the egg. It’s also suggested that women should try to eat foods high in potassium, which is believed to favor the conception of a boy. This is because potassium helps sperm swim faster and to a greater depth. Good sources of potassium include bananas, salmon, avocado and potatoes.
Another trick is to have sex while sitting up, as it’s said that this position gives boy sperm an advantage because it allows them to stay closer to the surface of the vagina. If you can’t sit up, straddling your partner may be just as effective because it allows both of you to control the depth of penetration.
The Position Method
Although there is no way to guarantee a baby boy or girl, some parents swear by techniques that they claim worked for them. Some of these methods include timing, position and diet. Others suggest using medical interventions to increase the chances of a boy. Here are some suggestions that might help you get a boy:
The Shettles method suggests that in order to conceive a boy you should try to have sex close to the time of your menstrual cycle and days before ovulation. This will allow the Y chromosome sperm to be deposited close to the egg. The position of intercourse is also important – it should be rear entry or dog-style, to ensure deep penetration. This will give the sperm a better chance of reaching the egg first, and ensuring that it is a boy.
Another popular tip is to eat foods that are high in alkaline, such as root vegetables and leafy greens. These foods will improve the pH of your body, which ‘boy’ sperm are said to thrive in. You should also aim to consume a high amount of water, especially in the form of fruit juice.
Some women also believe that female orgasm plays a role in conceiving boys. It is claimed that when a woman orgasms an alkaline secretion is released into the vagina, which gives boy sperm a higher survival rate. This is why some women try to orgasm before their partner ejaculates, in the hope that it will increase their chances of conceiving a son.
Other techniques that might help you have a boy include wearing tighter underwear, such as boxer shorts, before sex. It is thought that this will cause the scrotum to raise in temperature, which favors male sperm over female sperm. Some also try to ingest caffeinated drinks, such as coffee and tea, before sex, in the belief that it will give boy sperm a boost in their race to reach the egg. This is not scientifically proven, however, so you should only take this advice if you feel comfortable with it.