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Gender Selection: What Is Your Personal pH?
Author: Heather Montgomery
Conceiving a child is not as easy as your sex education class made it seem. It is estimated that only 20 percent of women will conceive following unprotected sex. Add in the factor of gender, and your chances of conceiving a baby of the gender of your choice drops to only 10 percent following unprotected sex. While gender selection is not 100 percent without costly medical intervention, you may be able to sway your chances. One way to do that is by testing the pH of your cervical mucus and your partner’s sperm.
What is pH?
pH is the acidity or alkaline of the sperm and cervical mucus. Female sperm, those carrying the X-chromosome, do better in an acidic environment; and male sperm, those carrying the Y-chromosome, do better in an alkaline environment. To better your chances of your preferred gender, you can test the pH level and adjust your diet accordingly.
How to Test pH
In order to test your pH you will need a digital pH reader. With clean hands, reach into the vaginal cavity and swipe some mucus from the entrance of your cervix. Place the mucus on the reader, and follow the package directions.
For men, have your partner ejaculate into a clean cup. Place a sample of the sperm on the pH reader, and follow the package directions.
What Do the Levels Mean?
pH levels range from 0 to 14, with 0 being the highest acidity and 14 being the most alkaline. To conceive a girl, your levels should range from 4 to 4.5 for the mucus reading and the sperm rating should be between 7 and 7.5. To conceive a boy, your mucus reading should range from 7.5 to 9 and the sperm reading should be above 9.
How to Increase or Decrease Your Readings
Calcium, Magnesium, and highly acidic food will lower the pH level of the mucus and semen. Foods high in potassium and sodium, such as salt and bananas, will raise your pH level. Women may also choose to use an acidic douche.
What Are The Risks?
While there are many websites and articles to tell you how to alter the pH level of your mucus and sperm, you should consult with a doctor before attempting the methods. Following the recommended pH levels is also not a 100 percent guarantee. If you are disappointed by the gender of your child and feel depressed or despondent, consider talking to a medical professional.
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