Some couples are almost desperate to conceive a baby of one particular gender. Fathers especially, can be eager to have a boy but there are also mothers who long for a son. Most couples however, are happy with either a boy or a girl baby, as long as it is healthy and strong. But if you are keen to try to sway the odds of having a boy then there is no harm in trying.
It’s worth remembering that the only scientifically proven strategy which can sway the odds, just slightly, is the timing of intercourse.
Diet , lunar calendars, sexual positions and even the boy/girl patterning within families do not change the likelihood of gender determination.
How to conceive a boy: Characteristics of boy sperm
- Are identified as looking like a Y Nothing really, just an interesting point.
- Are not as resilient or strong as girl sperm. Interesting but nothing more.
- Have short bursts of power before they fizzle out in energy. This affects the timing of sex to coincide with ovulation; don’t expect them to hang around.
- Are not capable of fertilising the egg past 24 hours after they have left the man’s body. Timing sex to coincide with the day of ovulation may help slightly to increase the odds of having a boy.
- Move at high speed towards the egg. Interesting but out of your control.
How to conceive a boy: Timing of intercourse
The timing of when a couple has sex is thought to actually make a difference in helping to conceive with a boy. It is one of the strategies suggested in The Shettles Method, which claims that the chances of having a boy are boosted when conception occurs as close to ovulation as possible.
Boy or Y sperm are not as resilient as the X or female sperm, and according to Shettles it may help to provide a bit of additional support in supporting the Y sperm to get to their destination and not have to compete any more than they absolutely have to.
Of course, this all depends on the willingness of a couple to track the woman’s ovulation and be available to each other over those crucial fertile hours.
Shettles also advises that if couples want to conceive with a boy:
- Time sex to coincide with the day of ovulation (no earlier than 24 hours before you are about to ovulate).
- Deep penetrative sex is preferable.
It helps if the woman orgasms. - Have an energy drink, a cup of coffee or some chocolate before having sex.
- Get your partner to trade in the tightie-whities for some boxer shorts.
- Sex no earlier than 24 hours before you are about to “ovulate”/conception/ovulation.
- No sex after 12 hours since you have ovulated.
How to conceive a boy: Best positions
Deep penetrative sex is preferable. This helps to deposit the semen and sperm closest to the woman’s cervix so they are given the best opportunity to get to the egg in the fallopian tube. Twelve hours before ovulation is thought to maximise the chances of conceiving with a boy. It also helps if the woman orgasms. This boosts the alkaline properties of the vagina which again, supports the sperm to do their work. Orgasm also causes uterine and vaginal contractions which help to push the sperm upwards where they need to go.
How to conceive a boy: foods
Avoid:
- Spicy foods which contain vinegar, citrus juices and fruits and tart/tangy flavours.
- Avoid eating dairy foods such as milk, cheese, youghurt and ice-cream.
Eat:
- More foods which contain potassium such as bananas, broccoli, potatoes, spinach and brussel sprouts.
- Some researchers believe that taking a daily supplement of Evening Primrose Oil boosts the chances of conceiving a boy.
- Bread, avocado, almonds, sprouts and wheatgrass.
- Pine nuts and cherries.
