Gender Selection: Separate Myths from Facts

Gender selection is surrounded by myths and legends. Old wives tales say it is possible to influence the sex of your baby. So does medical science. Have you always dreamt of having a little girl in pig tails? Want to play catch with your own little boy? Gender selection is possible, but it can be hard to separate myths from facts.

Boy gender selection myths say you need to eat certain foods. Salty snacks, red meat even drinking soda are all myths that say you will have a boy. More gender selection myths tell you when and where to have sex. Have sex standing up or from behind. Have sex at night or on an odd day of the month. One gender selection myth claims that the man must climax first to have a boy. Oh boy!

Girl gender selection myths also tell you what foods to eat. Eating fish, vegetables and chocolate is sure to bring a baby girl according to some gender selection myths. Girl gender selection myths say that if you have sex with the woman on top or in the missionary position you are sure to have a girl. They also say the woman should climax first if you want a girl. Talk about girl power!

If you are serious about gender selection, skip the myths. Medical science can almost guarantee your gender selection for your baby, for a price.

Preimplantation genetic diagnosis is an in vitro fertilization method where embryos are created outside of the womb and tested for genetic disorders. Using this method for gender selection is almost 100% accurate. One round can cost a staggering $20,000.

The Ericsson method for gender selection separates male and female sperm. The desired sperm is inseminated directly into the uterus. Ericsson claims his technique for gender selection is 78 to 85% effective for boys and 73-75% effective for girls. Some fertility doctors claim it to be no higher than 50% effective. The cost will run you about $600 per treatment.

You can skip the laboratory, but still try your hand at gender selection by using one of these methods. The creators claim they are 68 to 75% effective at gender selection.

The Shettles method for gender selection is based on the theory that male sperm moves faster but doesn't live as long as female sperm. To have a boy, you should have sex as close as possible to ovulation. For a girl, have sex two to four days before you ovulate. This will enable the male sperm to die out leaving the female sperm to fertilize the egg.

The Wheland method for gender selection claims the opposite is true for boys. To have a boy, you must have sex four to six days before your basal body temperature goes up. The theory is that biochemical changes that are better for male producing sperm happen earlier in a woman's cycle. For a girl, have sex two to three days before ovulation.

Which theory is correct? You could always flip a coin and try one. The both are free and non-invasive. However, their effectiveness is less than with medical intervention.

Gender selection myths and facts can be confusing for would be parents. Being able to pick the sex of your baby might sound ideal. Before trying any of these options however, be sure to talk to your doctor. Because the most important thing is to have a healthy baby, boy or girl.

For more information about these procedures please go to:

Preimplantation genetic diagnosis:

http://www.givf.com/

http://www.haveababy.com/

http://www.drary.com/

Ericsson method:

http://www.childselect.com/

Read:

How to Choose the Sex of Your Baby, by Landrum Shettles, M.D., and David Rorvik.

Boy or Girl? by Elizabeth Whelan