It may seem like it is out of our hands in determining the sex of our child. However, there are a few things you can do to turn the tide in your favour. Read on to understand how to conceive a boy
The Obsession Behind Conceiving A Baby Boy
Conceiving a boy in India is a pretty big deal from a cultural perspective. India is a country where people worship several forms of female deities. But when it comes to a child, they will mostly prefer a son. Apparent reasons for this preference are-
- Sons can carry the bloodline ahead (family lineage)
- Girls are considered to be a financial burden (Dowry during the marriage)
- Girls are apparently more vulnerable to crime (rape, sexual assault)
Let's find the whole truth about conceiving a baby boy.
What determines the sex of your baby?
How to conceive a baby boy 100 percent? Research suggests that the answer lies in a man's sperm. The chromosomes of the male parent determine the gender of the baby. The female parent has XX chromosomes, and the male parent has XY chromosomes. If the male parent contributes a Y chromosome, then the child is male.
Is There a Guaranteed Way to Have a Boy?
You might have asked yourself, others, or even Google- how to conceive a baby boy 100 percent? While there is no way to know how to conceive a baby boy surely, there are some methods and tips that you can use to try to have a baby boy.
Unless you medically implant an embryo that is surely a boy, it might be difficult to guarantee the sex of the baby. There is a 50-50 chance for you to have a boy if left to nature. Some people believe that you can influence the sex of your child by focusing on diet, timing, position, and other methods.
How to Conceive a Baby Boy - Can You?
We have outlined some tips that might tell you how to conceive a baby boy. While these methods are not foolproof, it does not hurt to try. They are as follows:
1. Shettles Method
According to Dr. Landrum Shettles, a sperm carries an X or Y chromosome. An X chromosome will result in a girl, a Y chromosome in a boy.
Y sperm tends to be faster than X sperm and can potentially reach the egg faster. However, they are also weaker and may not last as long. The X sperm may be slow, but they are tough and can stay up to 4 days without weakening.
The Shettles method focuses on how you can align sexual intercourse with your ovulation timing to ensure that you conceive a boy. Timing your ovulation will help you know the best time to have intercourse. This is important since the Y sperm move faster and can fertilise the egg before an X sperm.
2. Vaginal Douching
Before you begin trying to conceive, you must check your pH levels. You can do it by getting vaginal testing strips at your local chemist or online. Vaginal pH plays a big role in determining the sex of your baby.
Y chromosomes will not last very long in an acidic environment, which is why you need to increase alkaline levels in your body. Vaginal douching can reduce acidity. However, doing this too much might negatively affect your vaginal health.
3. The Right Sexual Positions
Since Y sperm are weaker than X sperm, it is best to prioritise sex positions that guarantee deeper penetration. Positions such as doggie style leave the sperm closer to the cervix. This will give the male sperm a head start to reach the egg and fertilise it. People often say that having sex with the woman on top will lead to a girl, and having sex with a man on top will lead to a boy.
4. Assisted Reproductive Technology
Many people rely on assisted reproductive technology (ART) to conceive a child. These medicalized procedures include:
· In-Vitro Fertilisation (IVF)
· Gamete Intrafallopian Transfer (GIFT)
· Zygote Intrafallopian Transfer (ZIFT)
The benefit of these procedures is that you might be able to determine the sex of the child before it is implanted in the uterus. The process of preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) or preimplantation genetic selection (PGS) could also be used to test them for their sex. Hence, you might be able to implant an embryo with the desired sex into your uterus.
5. Whelan Method
The Whelan method focuses on increasing the couple’s chance of conceiving a child of the desired sex by accurately timing intercourse. As per this method, it is recommended that couples start having sex 2-3 days before ovulation if they wish to conceive a girl.
However, if they wish to conceive a boy, they should start having intercourse at least 4-6 days before ovulation. As per Whelan’s research, this method has been proven to increase the chances of conceiving a boy by 86% and a girl by 66%.
How to Conceive Baby Boy Naturally
Here are some methods you can try to conceive a boy naturally:
- You can make small changes like consuming coffee or an energy drink, or chocolate before having sex. Caffeine will give the Y sperm an additional boost to get to the uterus.
- Your partner should switch to boxer shorts rather than briefs so that the testicles don’t overheat. Sperm can die when they are heated up. It’s better to keep them as cool as possible.
- Create the right environment for the sperm by making it more alkaline. You can do this by eating green vegetables and avoiding processed foods. Foods such as nuts, seeds, legumes, soybeans, etc., can greatly contribute to alkaline levels in your body.
- Timing your orgasm might be beneficial as a woman’s orgasm turns the vagina alkaline. This would improve conditions for the male sperm.
How To Conceive a Baby Boy According To Ayurveda
Women often seek ways to conceive a baby boy naturally or to conceive a baby boy fast. As per a textbook of Bachelor of Ayurveda, Medicine, and Surgery (BAMS), there are several solutions to answer the question of how to conceive a baby boy 100 per cent.
One method is to grind two north-facing branches of a Banyan tree, that is grown in a stable, two seeds of urad dal, mustard (black lentils) together. Then mix in curd and consume for having a male child.
Another ayurvedic method for how to conceive a baby boy in Indian method is from Charak Samhita, an ancient Indian Ayurveda text. For this, the woman has to melt a gold, silver or iron mini-idol of a man in a furnace, then pour the melted metal in milk, curd or water for consumption. It has to be done at an auspicious hour.
There are no strong proofs for these ayurvedic methods, hence they can be considered a myth.
Best Sex Positions for Baby Boy
The point is to get close to the cervix through deeper penetration. You can try these sex positions for a baby boy:
- Doggy style
- Standing up
- Straddling
Are There Medical Interventions to Have a Boy?
Some medical interventions can tell you how to conceive a boy. However, these treatments are often expensive and mentally and physically exhausting. There are also risks involved, such as miscarriage and ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS). These interventions are generally not recommended unless a couple is unable to conceive naturally.
Signs That You Are Carrying a Baby Boy
There is no way to fully know if you are carrying a boy or a girl. It would require a blood test, ultrasound, or both. However, there are plenty of wives’ tales that have been shared across generations that help you determine the sex of your child. Some of them are as follows:
- Craving salty or sour food
- No morning sickness in your early pregnancy
- Low baby bump
- Craving meats and cheeses
- Colder feet than what you had before pregnancy
Is Spotting A Sign of A Baby Boy?
1 out of 4 women experience spotting or bleeding due to pregnancy. Some other reasons for spots can be taking birth control pills, STIs, PCOS, etc. There is no concrete proof that states spotting means that you'll conceive a baby boy.
Symptoms of A Baby Boy?
Food cravings
Myth: Women who crave salty foods are more likely to have a baby boy.
Fact: No evidence supports this claim. Hormonal changes can be one cause of such food cravings. Research suggests that other reasons include nutritional deficiencies or cultural factors.
Heart rate of 140 or below
Myth: A heart rate below 140 beats per minute indicates a baby boy.
Fact: Studies have found that there is no major difference between a boy's heart rate and a girl in the first trimester. The normal heart rate is between 120 to 160 beats per minute.
Which Side Of The Uterus Is The Baby Boy?
Ever wondered which side of the womb does a baby boy lie? As per Ramzi's theory, it depends on the placenta (organ found in the uterus wall). If the placenta is on the right, then you might have a baby boy. However, this theory is not validated by any credible organization.
What Can Men Do to Help Conceive a Baby Boy?
Men should support their partners the best they can during this period. Men can help their partners with their diet and different sexual positions. They can also make an effort to understand the different conception methods outlined above and wait for the right times to have sex.
Summing Up on How to Conceive a Baby Boy?
There might be a myriad of reasons why you want or need to conceive a baby boy. If you wish to have a child, it is your responsibility to love the child unconditionally. You must support them no matter what their sex or gender representation is. More conservative people might tell you how to conceive a baby boy according to Hindu mythology or how to conceive a baby boy Indian method. While there is nothing wrong with trying those methods, remember there is no sure shot way to guarantee a boy.
Also read: Amla during pregnancy
References
McKenna D.S., Ventolini G. (2006) Gender-Related Differences in Fetal Heart Rate during First Trimester (Krager) https://www.karger.com/Article/Abstract/89065
Natalia C. Orloff, Julia M. Hormes (2014) Pickles and ice cream! Food cravings in pregnancy: hypotheses, preliminary evidence, and directions for future research (U.S. National Library of Medicine) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4172095/
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