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Conception

When's the best time to get pregnant? Use our interactive ovulation calculator to work out when you're most fertile and most likely to conceive.

trying for a girl

11 replies

redbull · 13/04/2006 14:58

me and my dp are TTC but we would really like a girl.
my periods are irregular and go from a 17 day-34 day cycle any ideas????????

OP posts:
Piffle · 13/04/2006 15:53

Foudn this on fertiltiy friend
I have heard that I can help determine the gender of my baby. How can I do this?

You are probably thinking of the Shettles Method which is based on the premise that sperm carrying the X and Y chromosomes have different characteristics and that you can influence the reproductive environment to favor one or the other. While there is some controversy surrounding both the credibility and the morality of the method, here's how the theory goes:

It is the sperm that fertilizes the egg that will determine the sex of your baby. Some sperm carry the X-chromosome and some sperm carry the Y-chromosome. If an X-chromosome-carrying sperm fertilizes the egg, the baby will be a girl. If a Y-chromosome-carrying sperm fertilizes the egg, the baby will be a boy.

The idea behind the Shettles Method of sex selection is based on the premise that the X and Y chromosome carrying sperm have different characteristics and that under different circumstances either X- or Y-chromosome-carrying sperm will be more likely to fertilize the egg.

The Y-chromosome-carrying sperm are said to:

be faster and smaller than the X-chromosome carrying sperm.
die faster than the X-chromosome-carrying sperm.
The X-chromosome-carrying sperm are said to:

be slower than the Y-chromosome carrying sperm.
be better able to withstand the acidic cervical environment before fertile cervical fluid is produced.
Based on these premises, according to Shettles, you can time intercourse, choose a sexual position that favors conception of your preferred sex and influence the reproductive environment to increase the likelihood of conceiving your preferred sex. These are the suggestions from Dr. Shettles:

To Get A Boy (According to Shettles):

Time intercourse as close to ovulation as possible: The idea is that since the Y-chromosome sperm are faster than the X-chromosome sperm, there will be more Y-chromosome sperm who reach the egg, making it more likely that a Y-chromosome carrying sperm will fertilize the egg.
Abstain from intercourse for four to five days prior to ovulation. Have intercourse only just at the time of ovulation and just before.
Have intercourse that allows for deep penetration. Shettles recommends rear-entry (aka, “doggy-style”). The idea is that the sperm will be deposited closer to the cervix where cervical fluid is most friendly to the Y-chromosome sperm and where the “boy sperm” are more likely to survive since there is less distance to travel.
Men avoid tight clothes: heat kills off both types of sperm, but will kill off the less protected, smaller Y-chromosome sperm faster, according to Shettles.
Women have an orgasm: According to Shettles, female orgasm increases the alkaline secretions in the vagina that are favorable to the Y-chromosome carrying sperm. Shettles recommends having an orgasm before or at the same time as the male partner.
To Get a Girl (According to Shettles):

Have intercourse 2-3 days before ovulation and avoid intercourse just before ovulation until 2 days after ovulation and when you have peak cervical fluid: The idea is that when you have sex a few days before ovulation, only the X-chromosome “girl sperm” will be left in the female reproductive tract waiting to fertilize the egg when it is released.
Have intercourse with shallow penetration: Shettles recommends “missionary position”or any position that will deposit the sperm slightly away from the cervix, giving advantage to the longer living, but slower X-chromosome-carrying sperm.
Women avoid orgasm: Shettles suggests women avoid orgasm because it makes the vaginal environment more alkaline, and less acidic and is disadvantageous to the X-chromosome “girl sperm”.
If you are taking longer than expected to conceive, it is generally not recommended to attempt any kind of sex selection as it can increase the time it takes to conceive.

jabberwocky · 13/04/2006 15:56

We had quite a discussion on this topic \link{http://www.mumsnet.com/Talk?topicid=1366&threadid=143428\here}

rumtumtigger · 13/04/2006 15:58

your dp needs to be wearing pink socks at the moment of conception - that normally works

Piffle · 13/04/2006 15:59

Although after ttc any colour/sex of baby for over 3 yrs I find posts about gender selection really tough to fathom :(

MeerkatsUnite · 13/04/2006 16:44

I would initially try and determine why exactly your periods are so irregular (they would certainly be seen to be so by the GP). Irregular periods like this can be indicative of non ovulation. Such problems are often caused by hormonal imbalances which can be treated.

A blood test can be done to see what your hormone levels are like. The GP will need to COMPARE both levels tested - leutenising hormone (LH) and Follicle stimulation hormone (FSH) are measured in this regard.

Would suggest you have a blood test done asap.

redbull · 13/04/2006 17:07

since my periods started they have allways been iregular have had scans done of my ovarys and blood tests taken and there is nothing wrong conceived in 2000 and had a beautifull ds.

OP posts:
jabberwocky · 13/04/2006 17:09

redbull, have you seen the Isis Scope thread? That might be something worthwhile for you as far as conception in general goes. I had initially really wanted to try all of the "having a girl" suggestions, but in the end we just went for it. Guess I'll know in about 11 weeks which one it is!

MeerkatsUnite · 13/04/2006 17:23

Hi Redbull,

Read this comment of yours with great interest:-

"Since my periods started they have allways been iregular have had scans done of my ovarys and blood tests taken and there is nothing wrong".

A condition called PCO (polycystic ovaries) is often responsible for such irregularity. My opinion for what its worth is that this should either be confirmed or ruled out. A blood test could show a hormonal imbalance - both LH and FSH must be compared - it is no point for them to look at the results separately as this can be missed.

Ultrasound scans can show signs of PCO but it can take a highly skilled operator to spot this. Also another problem is that such cystic follicles disappear - only to be replaced by further cystic follicles.

Another possible cause is thyroid problems. Both this and PCO should be looked as as possibilities for your symptoms.

bobblehead · 13/04/2006 21:19

Did everything according to Shettles method to get a boy ( not deliberately- just reading that now realise..) and had dd so I don't really think you have a choice tbh. You get what you're given and you know you'll love it to bits no matter whatSmile

chipmonkey · 13/04/2006 22:26

redbull, I tried diet and timing very meticulously to "get" a girl and "got" ds3! Who is fabulous!
If you go to \link{www.in-gender.com\in-gender} the woman who runs the site evaluates all the methods and pretty much finds they're all rubbish! She eventually went to microsort!

chipmonkey · 13/04/2006 22:28

Sorry, \link{http://www.in-gender.com\in-gender}

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