While the Shettles Method can't guarantee your baby's sex 100 percent, Dr. Shettles claims it's "the method best supported by scientific evidence" and has a 75-80 percent success rate for couples who are trying for a girl.
The Shettles Method is based on the premise that the X and Y sperm have different characteristics, and that you can use these differences to try to influence the sex of your baby. According to Dr. Shettles:
The male Y-sperm are said to:
- Be faster swimmers and smaller than the female X-chromosome carrying sperm
- Have a shorter lifespan than the X-chromosome-carrying sperm
The female X-sperm are said to:
- Be slower than the Y-sperm
- Be better able to withstand the acidic vaginal environment and more resilient than Y-sperm
To up your chances of conceiving a baby girl
1
Do it missionary style
The shallow penetration of this position causes the sperm to be deposited further from the cervix. Sperm must then travel a longer distance to reach the egg, which gives preference to the slower but longer-living X-sperm, explains Dr. Shettles.2
Have sex 2 to 4 days before ovulation
Sperm have to wait a few days for the egg to be released at ovulation, and this gives advantage to the longer-lived X-sperm. Also, vaginal environment is less hospitable to sperm prior to ovulation, which again favors the more resilient X-sperm.3
Avoid orgasm during intercourse
Female orgasm increases cervical fluid and makes the vaginal environment more alkaline, which would favor the faster swimming Y-sperm. Therefore, holding off your orgasm would give the female sperm an edge instead.Related: Increase your odds of conceiving a boy
