your diet can stack the odds dramatically in your favor when you are trying to have a baby of a specific gender. It has also been argued that certain couples are more likely to have babies of the specific gender than others. Vaginal pH levels have also been considered in determining the gender of a baby during conception.

Many parents wish to select the gender of their baby(s). There are many folk solutions to gender selection, as well as some scientific possibilities.  For example, the "old wives tales" say that if you want a girl, you should eat lots of fish and veggies, give in to your chocolate craving, make love in either the missionary or woman on top position and focus on the woman’s pleasure such that if she climaxes first, you'll definitely get a baby girl.

If you desire a baby boy, you should eat lots of red meat, eat salty snacks, drink lots of soda pop, make love either standing up or in the rear-entry position and focus on the man’s pleasure; if he climaxes first, you'll get a boy. However, Science as well has provided some ways to guarantee that your baby will either be a girl or a boy.

Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis(PGD): This process involves in-vitro fertilization in which the embryos are created outside the body and then tested for gender and genetic disorders.  The biggest downside is that PGD can cost nearly $20,000 for a single round.  Also, as with any IVF procedure, you are more likely to have multiples.

MicroSort and Ericsson: These methods involve sorting out the sperms and then implanting the desired sperm into the uterus through Artificial Insemination. This is less effective than PGD and also less costly.

Finally there is the Shettles method:  The Shettles method is less effective than all the other methods, but is much easier.  It is based on timed intercourse on specific days of your cycle.  It uses charting of cervical mucus and basal body temperature and ovulation prediction kits.  This theory suggests that you should have sex at least 2 1/2 to 3 days before ovulation to conceive a girl; the closer you conceive to ovulation, the greater chance you have of conceiving a boy. Shettles also suggests that if you are trying to conceive a girl your partner should perform shallow penetration, while deeper penetration should be more effective for a boy.  Also, Shettles recommends that you don't orgasm during sex if you are trying to conceive a girl, as the substances your body produces after orgasm make the vaginal environment more conducive to "boy"" sperm.

What the experts have to say: Now we have heard the Old Wives Tales, lets see what the experts have to say about determining the sex of your baby. First of all we need to realize that there is no way to guarantee that we can determine the sex of your baby, but what we can do is look at the theory of conception and the male sperm in order to try to determine what the possible outcome of the sex of your baby may be, and how you can go about "planning the sex of your baby".

Here is what we do know: The 'male' sperm cells swim quicker than the 'female' sperm cells. What this means is that a male will produce two different kinds of sperm cells, those which would create a boy and those which would create a girl, and the 'male' sperm will swim quicker than the 'female' sperm. The 'female' sperm will remain alive inside the women for a longer period of time than the 'male' sperm. The female egg produced by the women will only be fertile for a short period of time, about 24 hours, once it has been released when she ovulates. OK, so that is the basis for the theory. Lets see how this is going to allow you to choose the sex of your baby.

If you want a boy: We know that the 'male' sperm cells, which carry a Y-chromosome, swim more quickly than the 'female' sperm cells, which carry an X-chromosome, but will die off faster as well, so you and your partner will have to be sure that you are as close to 100% certain that you ovulating, then you would have sex closer to that ovulation date. This allows the faster swimming 'male' sperm to swim off to the waiting female egg and fertilize it before the slower swimming 'female' sperm reach their destination.

If you want a girl: Well, it is really simple now that you see the pattern. If are planning for a girl then it is best to make love at least two days before you ovulate, as this will allow the faster swimming 'male' sperm to swim off, burn up their energy and die off, leaving the slower swimming ''female' sperm to arrive to a ripe and ready female egg that is still waiting to be fertilized.

Other factors to bear in mind: Men should refrain from any kind of sexual activity for at least 2-4 weeks prior to the set date of your ovulation. You could bathe your partners testicles in cool water, as a lower temperate is more appropriate for strong healthy sperm cells. Just also be aware not to make it too cold, as too cold a temperature may have the same effect as a high temperature. Males should wear loose fitting boxers, as opposed to the traditional underwear for the reasons mentioned above<<<<Back<<<<