In the past, people had no influence over determining the gender of their baby before pregnancy and had to wait until it was revealed to find out whether they were having a boy or a girl.
You may have heard that the chances of having a boy or a girl are typically 50/50. But have you ever wondered if it's possible to determine a baby's gender before pregnancy? Can we influence the gender of a baby?
With scientific and medical methods, couples can choose their baby's gender before conception and decide whether they want a boy or a girl.
In this article, we will explore pre-pregnancy gender selection methods and assess their effectiveness and reliability.
There are various methods for gender selection before pregnancy, and thanks to advancements in science, these methods continue to evolve and expand. They can generally be classified into three main categories:
Home-based and non-invasive methods
Clinical methods
Other available gender selection techniques
It's important to note that gender selection is not legally permitted in all countries. While these methods are not 100% guaranteed, they can still have a significant impact on the likelihood of conceiving a boy or a girl. If you are planning to conceive, it's also essential to be well-informed about pregnancy care and necessary preparations.
The gender of a baby is determined at conception, at the exact moment when the sperm fertilizes the egg.
A woman's egg always carries an X chromosome.
A man's sperm can carry either an X or a Y chromosome.
If an X-carrying sperm fertilizes the egg, the baby will inherit an XX chromosome (a girl).
If a Y-carrying sperm fertilizes the egg, the baby will inherit an XY chromosome (a boy).
However, in a natural pregnancy, it is not possible to determine the gender immediately. Standard pregnancy tests only confirm pregnancy, not gender. Parents usually have to wait until the end of the first trimester (around 3 months) for a medical ultrasound to determine the baby's gender.
Some gender selection methods, such as Shettles, Whelan, and Babydust, are based on the differences in sperm characteristics.
Male (Y-carrying) sperm are believed to swim faster in alkaline environments (like cervical mucus and the uterus).
Female (X-carrying) sperm tend to survive longer in acidic environments (like the vaginal canal).
As a result, gender selection through the Shettles method focuses on:
Timing intercourse to favor male or female sperm
Adjusting vaginal pH to create an optimal environment
Dietary changes before conception
Since vaginal and uterine pH levels influence sperm survival, couples may choose to alter these conditions based on whether they want a boy or a girl. Consulting an OB-GYN or fertility specialist at a pregnancy clinic can help couples explore scientific methods for gender selection before conception.
When discussing at-home methods for gender selection, three main techniques are often mentioned:
Shettles Method
Whelan Method
Babydust Method
In this section, we will first explore the Shettles Method, its key factors, and how it influences gender selection. Then, we will move on to other at-home methods.
The Shettles Method, developed in the 1960s, has been widely used for gender selection before pregnancy. This method examines sperm characteristics, timing of intercourse, sexual position, and body pH levels to determine factors that may influence which sperm reaches the egg first. Ultimately, the sperm that fertilizes the egg determines the baby’s gender.
Diet is one of the effective factors in pre-pregnancy gender selection. If you want to increase the chances of having a boy or a girl, it is recommended to consult a gynecologist to adjust your diet accordingly.
Studies suggest a link between higher calorie intake and conceiving a boy. However, this does not mean simply eating more meals.
Key nutrients that may increase the chances of having a boy include:
Potassium-rich foods like bananas, sweet potatoes, and white beans
Whole grains and breakfast cereals
Alkaline foods to create a favorable environment for Y-carrying sperm, such as:
Fresh fruits and vegetables
Foods rich in potassium, such as salmon and avocado
Highly alkaline foods like citrus fruits, root vegetables, and nuts
⚠️ It is recommended to limit dairy products in a boy-conceiving diet, as some researchers believe higher glucose levels favor the chances of having a boy.
For increasing the chances of having a girl, the diet should focus on increasing body acidity.
Recommended foods for conceiving a girl include:
Seafood, especially sardines and salmon
Beans
Almonds
Dark leafy vegetables (like spinach and kale)
Broccoli
Dairy products (milk, cheese, yogurt)
Eggs
Apples
Peanut butter
A 2008 study suggested that women who want to conceive a girl should increase their intake of magnesium and calcium. Additionally, reducing sugar intake and consuming more fiber, protein, and healthy fats are recommended.
By following these dietary guidelines, couples can potentially influence gender selection before pregnancy using natural methods.
There are various methods for determining the gender of the baby. Some of these methods are explained below. These methods are not 100% guaranteed, but they can have some influence on the gender of your baby.
One factor that can impact gender selection before pregnancy, according to the Shettles Method, is the pH level of the vagina and uterus. Sperm prefers more alkaline environments. For conceiving a boy, the environment should be alkaline. One method recommended to change the vaginal pH is using baking soda to help conceive a boy. The method involves douching with 2 tablespoons of baking soda in 2 liters of water before intercourse. This method is not scientifically proven, but it may have a positive impact on gender selection.
Another way to increase vaginal alkalinity is through female orgasm. According to the Shettles Method, couples trying for a boy are advised to have the woman orgasm first during intercourse. When the woman orgasms first, her bodily fluids can make the vaginal and uterine environment more alkaline, which can help the Y-chromosome sperm swim better toward the egg.
To conceive a girl, the vaginal environment should be more acidic. An acidic environment can shift the balance in favor of XX sperm (female sperm), thereby increasing the chances of conceiving a girl. The method involves douching with 1 liter of water and 2 tablespoons of white vinegar before intercourse to make the vaginal environment more acidic. The key belief behind this method is that XX sperm is stronger and survives longer in acidic conditions, while XY sperm (male sperm) is weaker and does not last as long in such an environment. Therefore, ideally, only XX sperm would remain by ovulation.
One important factor in gender selection before pregnancy is timing intercourse around ovulation. This timing differs for conceiving a boy versus a girl. Timing intercourse is one of the influential factors in gender selection before pregnancy.
Ovulation timing is crucial for conceiving a boy, and sexual intercourse should be timed around ovulation.
For conceiving a boy, the timing of intercourse should be close to or after ovulation.
According to the Shettles Method, couples trying for a boy should avoid intercourse during the time between menstruation and the days before ovulation.
For a guaranteed chance of conceiving a boy, intercourse should happen on the day of ovulation or within 2-3 days after ovulation.
For conceiving a girl, the timing of intercourse should be before ovulation.
For a girl, intercourse should happen several days before ovulation.
Why? The XX sperm (female sperm) is slower but more robust, and can survive in the reproductive tract for several days.
If intercourse occurs before ovulation, the Y-chromosome sperm (male sperm) will die off, leaving only the XX sperm to fertilize the egg.
Couples should start intercourse right after menstruation and stop at least 3 days before ovulation.
This timing depends on the woman’s accurate menstrual cycle, so it's important for couples to track the exact cycle.
The best time for conceiving a boy is close to ovulation or after, while for a girl, efforts should be made up to 3 days before ovulation.
Another method for gender selection before pregnancy is the Whelan Method, developed by Elizabeth Whelan. This method is similar to the Shettles Method, as both believe that timing is an important factor in gender determination. Therefore, many specialists use this method for gender selection before pregnancy.
In the Whelan Method, couples are encouraged to have intercourse 2 to 3 days before ovulation for conceiving a girl, and on the day after ovulation for conceiving a boy. The idea behind this timing is that XX sperm (female sperm) and XY sperm (male sperm) behave differently at different points in the female menstrual cycle. The XX sperm is more likely to fertilize the egg during this phase of the cycle. Therefore, when intercourse occurs close to ovulation or on ovulation day, the female sperm has a better chance of surviving. According to Whelan, the success rate for conceiving a girl using this method is 57%.
The Babydust Method was developed by author Kathryn Taylor. She writes about the timing and frequency of intercourse to increase the chances of conceiving a girl. In this method, LH (Luteinizing Hormone) is tracked once in the morning and once in the evening for 3 months before attempting pregnancy.
Since an increase in this hormone indicates that ovulation will occur within 12 to 48 hours, it helps track the menstrual cycle pattern. By determining the more precise timing of ovulation, the timing of intercourse for conceiving a boy or a girl should be considered. If intercourse occurs 2 to 3 days before ovulation, the chances of having a girl increase. If intercourse occurs on the day of ovulation or the day after, the chances of conceiving a boy are higher.
These home kits are based on the Shettles Method. The separate kits for conceiving a girl or a boy include thermometers, ovulation test strips, vitamins, herbal extracts, and douches, which are supposedly designed for a specific gender. The manufacturers of these kits claim a success rate of 96%. However, some medical experts say that the manufacturer's claims have no scientific value and consider these methods as non-scientific gender selection methods.
In this method, body temperature is measured using a thermometer, and ovulation is predicted using ovulation test strips and urine. Similar to the Shettles Method, if you aim for a girl, intercourse should take place 2 to 4 days before ovulation, and for a boy, it should be as close as possible to the ovulation time. Vitamins and herbal extracts are also intended to enhance the chances of conceiving a girl or a boy. For gender selection before pregnancy using home methods, Shettles, Whelan, Babydust, and Gender Selection Kits can all be used.
Clinical methods for gender selection are more effective than home methods. These include IVF, IUI, and PGD, which will be discussed individually.
One of the reliable and guaranteed methods for gender selection before pregnancy is the PGD method. This technique, known as Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD), involves a single sperm being injected into an egg through a laboratory fertilization process called ICSI (Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection). Then, a growing embryo is tested for gender before being implanted into the mother's womb. The basis of this method is that since XY sperm is slightly lighter, they can be processed and separated using centrifugation or other separation techniques. This method is used for guaranteed boy gender selection before pregnancy.
Another method for gender selection before pregnancy is IUI. This is a laboratory-assisted fertility method that also involves artificial insemination. It is also called microsort. The basis of this method is the separation of sperm and sorting based on genetic content. Using the characteristics of XX (girl) and XY (boy) sperm, these sperm are separated using methods like centrifugation and used for targeted pregnancy. The main method of separation in this technique is fluorescent sperm staining and separating XY and XX sperm cells using flow cytometry. The separated and selected sperm are then artificially inseminated into the womb to determine the baby's gender using the IUI method. This method is less invasive and is typically considered effective. Sometimes, IVF is used in conjunction with this technique for fertilization.
Other methods for gender selection before pregnancy are not guaranteed or 100% reliable. The only guaranteed method for conceiving a girl or a boy is gender selection. This method is known as In Vitro Fertilization (IVF), which is one of the clinical methods for gender selection before pregnancy. IVF for gender selection involves implanting either a boy or a girl embryo into the mother's womb, using advanced options like sperm sorting and genetic screening before implantation. This ensures that the gender is determined before fertilization and pregnancy. However, this option is expensive and even illegal in some countries. It carries a wide range of ethical, religious, legal, and social implications. Therefore, IVF for gender selection before pregnancy is not solely a medical decision and various factors must be considered. The only guaranteed way for gender selection before pregnancy is IVF, where sperm screening and genetic diagnosis of the embryo are used, and the embryo with the desired gender is implanted into the mother’s womb.
In traditional medicine, certain substances are emphasized for gender selection before pregnancy. These substances can include a variety of herbal remedies and combinations designed to influence the gender of the baby. Consulting with a traditional medicine doctor can assist couples in this regard.
Traditional medicine also focuses on the temperament of both partners. According to these theories, a hot temperament could favor conceiving a boy, while a cold temperament might influence the conception of a girl. For example, consuming cinnamon is recommended for having a boy. Other warm foods like saffron and honey are also believed to contribute to conceiving a boy in traditional medicine. On the other hand, for conceiving a girl, a cool and moist diet is advised. Cool fruits like pomegranate and fresh vegetables like lettuce are considered beneficial for conceiving a girl in traditional medicine.
Traditional medicine also focuses on the use of baking soda and vinegar for gender selection before pregnancy. Baking soda is recommended for conceiving a boy, while vinegar is suggested for having a girl, as these substances are believed to alter the pH balance of the vaginal environment to make it more alkaline for a boy or acidic for a girl.
In addition to the use of these medicinal and dietary substances, the timing of intercourse is also considered important in traditional medicine for gender selection before pregnancy. According to some theories, consuming cough syrup can increase the fluidity of cervical mucus, facilitating the movement of sperm carrying the Y chromosome, which could increase the chances of conceiving a boy.
Many individuals seek fertility advice and visit fertility clinics to increase their chances of pregnancy by following a complete dietary and medicinal program. A common question that arises is whether these medicinal regimens can also influence gender selection.
The positive effects of vitamins, minerals like folic acid, omega-3 fatty acids, and vitamin B12 for fertility are well-established. However, there is still no reliable evidence to suggest that these medications can influence the gender of the baby. Some sources link the use of these supplements with gender selection, such as folic acid for conceiving a boy or specific pills for conceiving a girl, but no official approval exists for these claims.
Currently, most medications prescribed for fertility are aimed at preparing the couple for pregnancy and enhancing the chances of conception. These medications, often containing LH (luteinizing hormone) and FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone), mimic the menstrual cycle and increase the chances of pregnancy. Another group of medications is prescribed to ensure fetal health and reduce pregnancy risks or birth defects, and these have no impact on the baby’s gender.
For conceiving a boy, there is an emphasis on the use of herbal remedies that make the body more alkaline. Conversely, for conceiving a girl, increasing the body's acidity is emphasized. For example, consuming barley and seeds like pumpkin, flax, and chia is believed to be linked to conceiving a girl. An ancient grain called amaranth is also recommended for conceiving a girl. Additionally, Kamar pills, a traditional herbal remedy sold in herbal shops for back pain, are recommended for conceiving a boy.
Until a few years ago, if someone asked whether gender selection before pregnancy was possible, the answer would have been negative, or the methods suggested would have been unproven and unreliable. However, with the advancement of science and various methods, gender selection before pregnancy is now possible. Different methods are available for determining the baby’s gender before pregnancy. These methods take into account factors such as timing of intercourse, diet, and the condition of the vaginal environment, which can influence gender determination. Another category of methods includes clinical gender selection techniques, which are more precise and reliable. As a result, parents interested in gender selection can use these methods to decide whether they want a boy or a girl before pregnancy.
