Boy or girl?

Can you choose the sex of your baby?

Unfortunately there is no medical evidence that any of the old wives tales said to help you to choose the sex of your baby actually work. However there is always someone who will tell you it worked for them so why not give it a go!

You are said to conceive a girl if:

• you have sex a few days before your day of ovulation. Female sperm are thought to be stronger and therefore last longer than male sperm, which may die off before reaching the egg.
• you stop having unprotected sex four to five days before ovulation, to minimise the chances of the male sperm reaching the egg first
• you have sex frequently to lower your partner's sperm count, and so increase the chances of the female sperm reaching the egg first
• you keep penetration shallow
• your partner reaches orgasm before you



• you drink plenty of milk and eat dairy products such as cheese and yoghurt, unsalted foods, rice, pasta, certain vegetables, mineral water, limited amounts of meat and potatoes
• you avoid salt and any salty foods, wine and beer, fresh fruit, spinach, tomatoes and mushrooms, chocolate, coffee and tea.
• your partner keeps his genitals warm by wearing close-fitting underwear and tight trousers (although this isn't likely to do his general fertility any good!)



• you suggested the love-making



• you make love in the afternoon



• you make love on even days of the month



• you put a wooden spoon under your bed and a pink ribbon under your pillow

You are said to conceive a boy if:

• you have sex on the day of ovulation. Male sperm are thought to swim faster and reach the egg first.



• you avoid sex for a week before ovulation and then only have sex once on ovulation day, to keep the sperm count high
• your partner has a high sperm count. Male sperm are not as strong as female sperm, and so the higher the count, the more chance there is of a male sperm reaching the egg first
• you have deep penetration during sex
• you reach orgasm before your partner, this releases an alkaline fluid thought to be more male-sperm friendly than the vagina's natural acidity



• you eat salty food, plenty of meat, fish, white flour, pasta, fresh fruit, certain vegetables
• you avoid milk and dairy products, such as yoghurt and cheese, nuts, chocolate, shellfish and wholemeal bread.
• your partner keeps his genitals cool by wearing boxer shorts and loose-fitting trousers
• your partner suggested the love-making
• you make love at night
• you make love on odd days of the month