Gender selection
Trying for a certain gender?
These days more and more couples are interested in using techniques and methods that can help determine their baby’s gender. The most popular technique for gender selection is the Shettles Method, which was developed by Landrum B. Shettles in the 1960s. He publicized his ideas in the book How to Choose the Sex of Your Baby, which was coauthored by Shettles and David Rorvik. One of the main factors of this method is the right positioning, which plays a major role in gender selection along with timing and other factors.
A baby’s gender is determined during conception. The sex chromosome of the sperm that fertilizes the egg will dictate whether the baby will be a boy or a girl. Here’s how it works: A woman’s egg always carries an X chromosome. A man’s sperm may either have an X or Y chromosome. If a sperm with an X chromosome fertilizes the egg, the baby will be a girl (XX). If a sperm with a Y chromosome fertilizes the egg, the baby will be a boy (XY). Because of this, sperm is referred to as either female (X) or male (Y) sperm.
Scientists have found that male and female sperm each exhibit different attributes, in other words, they behave differently. Male sperm are said to be faster swimmers than female sperm. However, they also have a shorter lifespan than their female counterparts, which are more resilient. Male sperm also favor alkaline environments and die off quicker in acidic ones.
What does this mean in regards to trying to conceive a baby boy or girl? According to the Shettles Method, the following three variables matter the most when it comes to gender selection: timing intercourse, depth of penetration and sexual position.
If you’re trying for a boy: Choose the doggy position because it allows him to penetrate deeper, thus shortening the distance that the male (Y) sperm must travel to reach the egg. Furthermore, the best time to conceive a boy is close to ovulation, between 24 hours before and 12 hours after ovulation. Avoid intercourse before that timeframe. Because male sperm are also said to prefer a more alkaline environment, it is recommended to avoid dairy products and increase sodium consumption.
If you’re trying for a girl: Choose the missionary position and a shallow penetration, which allows the slower and more resilient female (X) sperm to take their time in reaching the egg. Female sperm can also swim further than male sperm, so lengthening the distance of the journey the sperm needs to travel to fertilize the egg is advised. Furthermore, female sperm lives longer than male sperm. It can survive three to five days in the vagina. So instead of timing intercourse right before ovulation, it is recommended to make love two to three days before ovulation. This technique favors the slower, more resilient female sperm to reach the egg before the faster, but shorter-lived male sperm does.
The Little Deeper® cushion is the ideal pregnancy aid for those who want to try the Shettles Method. Positioning is key when it comes to conceiving your dream baby boy or dream baby girl. With the Little Deeper® cushion, you can easily get into the recommended position and comfortably stay in it as long as desired. The cushion is very comfortable and makes penetration easier for both partners, no matter if you prefer the missionary position or the doggy-style position.
Even more, the Little Deeper® cushion makes it easy and comfortable to keep your lower torso in an elevated position for 15-30 minutes after intercourse, a technique that is recommended by fertility experts to keep the sperm in longer, further maximizing your chances of conception, no matter if you’re trying for a baby girl or baby boy.
