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Gender Selection – Is It Possible?
Author: Angela Heidt
Whether you are planning your first baby or your fifth, odds are that you have a particular gender in mind. But is gender selection really possible? At the very least you have a 50% chance of getting the gender you were hoping for, and with one of these methods you can increase your chances.
Natural Methods
These methods don’t have very high success rates, but they do at least increase your chances above 50%.
Shettles Method
This method is based on the observation that sperm carrying different sexes travels at different rates and survive for different amounts of time. So, if you want a boy, it’s best to try to have intercourse about 12 hours before ovulation. For a girl, intercourse should be timed for 2-3 days prior to ovulation. There are some other tips to increase the odds – such as avoiding orgasms and deep penetration for a girl, but the opposite for a boy.
O+12 Method
This method is only used to conceive a girl, and the basic theory is to have intercourse 12 hours after ovulation. It’s completely opposite of the Shettles Method, but according to some moms who always longed for a daughter, it works. In order for it to work, the male must not ejaculate for 7 days prior to intercourse because female sperm live longer so older sperm should have more females. Then you have to track your ovulation closely and have sex 8-20 hours after ovulation. Then wait until you are no longer fertile (or use a condom) before having intercourse again.
Medical Intervention Methods
These methods are costly, but they have a much higher success rate than trying to get pregnant with your selected sex alone. If you really, really, need to have a certain sex of baby, and you are prepared to undergo the treatments, then these are the methods to try.
Ericsson Albumin Method
This method involves using a medium made of albumin in order to filter the sperm. The sperm is then injected through an intrauterine insemination (IUI). Clomid is often used when a girl is desired, as it has been shown to increase the odds of conception.
MicroSort
As you likely know, the sex of a baby is determined by the sperm, and there is a slight difference in the size of male-coded sperm versus female-coded sperm. The MicroSort separates most of the boy and girl sperm from each other and has a pretty good success rate at 81% for boys and 92% for girls. However, in order to get pregnant you will have to undergo intra-uterine or in-vitro fertilization, along with the associated fertility treatments and costs.
Preimplantation Genetic Diagonosis (PGD)
This method is much like it sounds; the matured eggs are removed and fertilized and then genetically coded before they are implanted in the uterus. This method has nearly a 100% success rate, so it’s perfect for those “have to have” couples; however, it is the most expensive technique available and will also require you to undergo fertility treatment and in-vitro fertilization.
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