Timing
Certain timing techniques have been proposed as influential factors in swaying a baby's gender, setting the stage for this Swaying Masterclass.
Timing: A Popular Advice
When discussing methods for influencing a baby's gender, timing recommendations are often the first suggestion, and among them, the 'Shettles method' is the most commonly recommended. It's worth noting that the timing method can require significant effort to accurately determine when ovulation occurs, a topic we learn more about under 'Ovulation Tracking'.
While the rationale behind the Shettles method is compelling, it's essential to underscore that its foundational assumptions about the differences in sperm behavior based on their chromosome have been continually challenged. Many modern studies have either contradicted or failed to replicate Shettles' original findings. A subsequent study examining both timing and diet found that diet plays a significantly more influential role. Those who relied solely on timing observed a much lower success rate compared to those who adhered to the recommended diet (see our Diet Masterclass).
As such, we'll also explain an alternative timing method that is frequently being discussed and offers a different viewpoint: Whelan and 0+12.
In conclusion, while timing can play a role in gender selection, its effectiveness is debatable. (Read my article here).
If you're following a timing method and find it affecting your ability to conceive, consider loosening the restrictions. Prioritizing other methods, like diet, which have shown more consistent results in studies, might be a more promising approach
Shettles
The Shettles Method, developed by Dr. Landrum Shettles in the 1960s, has been a popular approach for couples seeking to influence the gender of their future child. The method relies on the proposed differences between sperm that carry the X-chromosome (for girls) and those that carry the Y-chromosome (for boys).
Dr. Shettles observed that X-bearing sperm, although slower, are more resilient and can survive for a longer period in the female reproductive tract. Conversely, Y-bearing sperm are quicker but have a shorter lifespan. The inherent differences in speed and resilience between these two types of sperm are attributed to their genetic makeup. The X chromosome has about 150 million base pairs, making it more complex, while the Y chromosome is more compact, with about 50 million base pairs.
How to Use the Shettles Method
Understanding Ovulation: It's crucial to know that a woman can conceive during a brief time window around ovulation, which typically occurs around the middle of your menstrual cycle. This fertile window usually lasts between 12 to 24 hours. Use our Ovulation Tracking advice.
Swaying for a Girl:
1. Calculate Ovulation: Use our Ovulation Tracking Advice to pinpoint your time of ovulation.
2. Time Intercourse Before Ovulation: Once you have determined your ovulation period, plan to have intercourse two, ideally 3 to 4 days before ovulation. X-bearing sperm are believed to be slower but more resilient and survive longer, thus increasing the chances of conceiving a girl with this approach.
3. Avoid Intercourse Near Ovulation: To reduce the odds of Y-bearing sperm reaching the egg first, refrain from having intercourse on the day of ovulation and for a few days afterward.
Swaying for a Boy:
1. Calculate Ovulation: Use our Ovulation Tracking Advice to pinpoint your time of ovulation.
2. Time Intercourse Close to Ovulation: Once you have determined your ovulation period, have intercourse as close to ovulation as possible, ideally on the day of ovulation or within 12 hours afterward. Y-bearing sperm are believed to be faster but less resilient, so timing here is crucial.
3. Avoid Intercourse Before Ovulation: Abstain from intercourse for several days before ovulation. This is advised to reduce the chance of X-bearing sperm still being viable when the ovulation occurs, thus favoring the quicker Y-bearing sperm.
Whelan Method & O+12
The Whelan Method
The Whelan Method was developed by Elizabeth Whelan, a public health researcher. Contrary to the Shettles Method, Whelan suggested that couples who wish to conceive a girl should have intercourse closer to the time of ovulation. Her rationale is based on her analysis of hormonal fluctuations around the time of ovulation, which she claims may favor X-chromosome sperm.
How to Use the Whelan Method
Swaying for a Girl:
1. Calculate Ovulation: Use our Ovulation Tracking Advice to pinpoint your time of ovulation.
2. Have Intercourse Close to Ovulation: Engage in intercourse on the day of ovulation or within a 24-hour window post-ovulation.
Swaying for a Boy:
1. Calculate Ovulation: Use the same methods as for a girl.
2. Have Intercourse Early in Cycle: Aim for intercourse earlier in the menstrual cycle, between days 6 to 12.
While the Whelan Method has some research backing it, the results are not consistent. One study published in "Obstetrics & Gynecology" claimed around a 68% success rate for boys and a 56% success rate for girls, but these figures are debated and should be read with caution.
O+12
The 0+12 Method is based on observational findings by an Australian mother named Josephine Zulehner, who claimed to have conceived her long-desired daughter using this technique. According to this method, the likelihood of conceiving a girl is higher when intercourse occurs between 8 to 20 hours following ovulation, in line with Whelan's recommendations and contradicting Dr. Shettles' guidelines.
How to Use the 0+12 Method
Swaying for a Girl:
1. Calculate Ovulation: As with the other methods, first pinpoint your ovulation day using our Ovulation Tracking Advice.
2. Time Intercourse: Have intercourse within an 8 to 20-hour window after ovulation.
This method doesn't offer specific guidelines for conceiving a boy and is not supported by scientific research, making it a more controversial option.
In a nutshell: Timing
