Can you choose the sex of the baby based on the day you have intercourse?
There are some theories that maintain that it is possible to choose the sex of the baby based on the fertile calendar and when you have sexual relations. So by planning the ideal moment, the child has a male or female genetic sex.
Let's see if that is true and if there is scientific evidence to justify it.
What determines the sex of the baby?
When a woman becomes pregnant, The factor that influences the sex of the fetus is defined by the man, more specifically the sperm that fertilizes the egg.
Women have an XX chromosome map, while men have an XY chromosome map. Therefore, the possibility of conceiving a boy instead of a girl will depend on whether the fertilizing sperm has a āmaleā or āfemaleā charge.
Therefore, the possibility of having a boy or a girl depends on the capabilities of these two types of sperm.
It is a scientific fact that Y (boy) sperm are faster although their life is shorter. On the other hand, X (girl) sperm are more resistant and long-lasting.
If we compare it with track and field runners, the Y are the ones who achieve the best results in the 100 meter dash and sprinting. However, the Xs are long-distance runners and marathoners.Ā
And why does this difference occur? It has a physical explanation: the Y chromosome weighs less, which is why they can run more. On the other hand, the X are more resistant because by running less they also get less tired.
That's why, There is a slight chance that you will be able to choose the sex of your baby if you plan when to have sex and if you know when you ovulate.
Centuries-old traditional methods to know if it will be a boy or a girl
It happens to many couples who have already had children, all of the same sex, that they are excited for the next one to be different. Or if you only have one, you want the classic ācouple.ā
There is a myth that aims to solve this problem, which is the Chinese calendar of pregnancy. Widely used in eastern cultures and increasingly popular in the West.
This calendar consists of a table in which the data of the woman's lunar age is crossed with the month and year of conception.Ā
As you see, It does not take into account the man, who is the only carrier of the Y chromosome, nor the woman's menstrual cycle.Ā
It is assumed that the majority of embryos conceived during a specific month and depending on the age of the woman, will be a boy or a girl.
Look, if it turns out that you have just found out that you have become pregnant and the sex of the baby is not yet detectable through ultrasound, if you feel like it and are excited to see if it is correct in your case, use it. It won't do you harm.
But below we will tell you how to plan your sexual relations to increase the probability of having a boy or a girl, based on what we know from medical science.
Before continuing with the details, we must warn you that when it comes to fertility and probabilities, there are so many factors that influence that you have no 100% guarantee of achieving it. Here we present the data so that you know that there is a small probability of achieving it.
How to conceive a child
Something you need to know is when is your ovulation. Knowing your menstrual cycle and keeping a calendar to track it will help you achieve this.
After about two or three months observing your basal temperature and cervical mucus, you will know the moment when your ovary releases the egg that is ready to be fertilized.
If you remember, Y (boy) sperm weigh less and therefore are faster. So, If you have sexual relations close to the time of ovulation, the probability of fertilization by one of these sprinters is greater.
You already know that once the egg is fertilized, even if other sperm arrive further behind, they cannot enter.
How to conceive a girl
However, If you go a few days ahead of ovulation, the sperm (X) that are more resistant and live longer will be the ones waiting for the egg., while the Y will be mostly gone or out of stock.
That said, do not forget that there is always the possibility that some of the sperm with a higher female load are as fast or faster than the male one. Or that a male-charged sperm fertilizes the egg a few days after ovulation.
Can you choose the sex of the baby in the laboratory?
Although we have given you the scientific reasons so that you know more about the probability of having a boy or a girl, the only guarantee of truly choosing the sex of the baby is with in-vitro fertilization. Technically it is possible to do genetic selection.
However, In Spain it is absolutely prohibited, it is considered eugenics. With some exceptions, all for medical reasons and risk to the baby (such as hemophilia). In any case, it is analyzed, evaluated and approved by a bioethics committee.Ā
Finally, our recommendation as fertility professionals is that you do not obsess over it. The most important thing is that you fulfill your dream of having that baby in your arms and that the pregnancy develops normally and healthfully for both of you.
We want to add one last nuance: in this article we have used the generic term of baby sex to refer to the biological sex. However, sexuality is not defined only by chromosomes. It is said that there is genetic sex, gonadal sex, genital sex and social sex.
It may interest you:Ā
- What is the best sexual position to get pregnant?
- Differences between pregnancy and premenstrual syndrome
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