Collection of articles to conceive a boy

1-The Shettles Method

Is it really the method "best supported by scientific evidence", or just an urban legend? The Shettles method is the world's best known gender selection method, achieving fame in the million copy bestseller How to Choose the Sex of Your Baby. Dr. Landrum Shettles claimed a 75% to 90% success rate for his simple, at-home method, which advises how to time intercourse to conceive a boy or a girl. The Shettles Theory Shettles theorized that the two different types of sperm, X-chromosome-bearing sperm and Ychromosome-bearing sperm, had different properties. Y-Bearing (Male-Producing)

Sperm

X-Bearing (Female-Producing)

Sperm

Smaller, round-headed Faster More fragile, shorter-lived

Larger, oval-headed Slower More resilient, longer-lived

Shettles hoped that these properties could be used to choose a baby's sex.

Under ideal conditions, the Y-sperm's faster speed should prevail, winning the race to the egg and conceiving a boy. Under less than ideal conditions, fewer of the fragile Y-sperm will survive. The X-sperm's resiliance and staying power should win the day, conceiving a girl. Shettles Advantages and Disadvantages Shettles Advantages

FREE, except the Shettles book, and any ovulation tracking supplies you might choose to buy. An at-home method you can use in the privacy of your own home. Conception occurs naturally, and few people have ethical or moral objections. If you are trying for a boy, the Shettles method will guide you to optimum fertility, making it easier to conceive. Shettles Disadvantages

To use the Shettles method, you must learn to detect ovulation, which requires some practice and a little dedication. However, this is really something every woman should know about anyway. If you are trying for a girl, Shettles advises avoiding intercourse on your peak days of fertility, which can make it very difficult to get pregnant at all. There is no scientific evidence to support the Shettles method, and some studies have disproved it. Before You Try Shettles: Ovulation Tracking Dr. Shettles believed that correctly timing intercourse was the most important factor in choosing to conceive a boy or girl. This means you must learn to detect when you ovulate, and spend a few cycles practicing until you are not only able to determine when ovulation has occurred, but to predict when it is about to occur.

Shettles Scorecard The Shettles book claims "30 years of consistent success", but what's the real score? The scorecard results are based on the outcome of nearly 700 women who were reasonably sure they knew both the day of ovulation and the day of intercourse. Although the results show a slight increase in girl conceptions 3 days before ovulation, and a slight increase in boy conceptions at ovulation, it is not close to Shettles' claim of "at least a 75% chance of having a child of the desired sex", and certainly a far cry from the claim that "some researchers have reported success rates up to 90%!" on the book's cover. Claimed Shettles for a GIRL 75% Actual 65% Grade C-

Comments: Intercourse 3 days before ovulation does show a noticeable increase over the natural odds of about 50%. However, intercourse on other days (2 or 4 days) before ovulation does not show any greater chance of having a girl. Shettles for a BOY 80% 60% D

Comments: Intercourse on the day of ovulation increases the chance of a boy somewhat. Fertility for a GIRL D

Comments: All Shettles recommendations for conceiving a girl hamper fertility, making it harder to get pregnant at all. Attempting Shettles for a girl may take many more cycles to get pregnant, or not at all. Fertility for a BOY A+

Comments: All Shettles recommendations for conceiving a boy lead to optimum fertility. Following Shettles for a boy should lead to pregnancy as soon as possible (assuming there are no fertility problems).

Gender Selection: To Have A Boy If the boy sperm are faster but have a shorter life span, then the Shettles objective is to time lovemaking in nearest proximity to ovulation - right before ovulation takes place or the day you ovulate. The concept here is that Y-chromosome sperm will swim quicker than the X-chromosome and more of the Ys will reach the egg sooner. Therefore, the chances of having a boy are increased. Remember, the egg can survive for only 24 hours following ovulation. Only one sperm can fertilize the egg (out of the millions who start the journey), so timing intercourse close to ovulation would favor quicker Y-chromosome sperm, even if their lifespan is short. Shettles advises that to increase the odds of having a boy, do not have intercourse during your "transitional" fertile days four to five days before you ovulate. Rather, time lovemaking directly prior to and during ovulation. The Shettles Method also suggests deep penetration in order to get the sperm closer to the cervical canal, closer to the egg, and more likely closer to the abundant cervical mucus that should be present during your most fertile days. As for sexual position, Shettles recommends rear entry or "doggy style" for deepest penetration. According to Shettles, women should try to have an orgasm at the same time as the man; purportedly, orgasms increase endocervical secretion and increase the alkaline level of the vagina. Men should avoid wearing tight cloths and hot showers, etc, prior to intercourse as heat will more likely weed out the Y-sperm than the X-sperm.

These factors should 1) decrease the travel distance of sperm 2) provide a more alkaline pH environment in the vagina (due to presence of cervical mucus) 3) get male sperm to the egg quicker 4) promote environments conducive to male sperm survival.

2-Ovulation
Ovulation occurs when a mature egg is released from the ovary, pushed down the fallopian tube, and is available to be fertilized. The lining of the uterus has thickened to prepare for a fertilized egg. If no conception occurs, the uterine lining as well as blood will be shed. The shedding of an unfertilized egg and the uterine wall is the time of menstruation. If you are trying to get pregnant, you should get a copy of the Essential Guide for Getting Pregnant. This ebook is filled with the most up to date resources, information and tips you need to get pregnant. Key Facts of Ovulation: An egg lives 12-24 hours after leaving the ovary Normally only one egg is released each time of ovulation Ovulation can be affected by stress, illness or disruption of normal routines Some women may experience some light blood spotting during ovulation Implantation of a fertilized egg normally takes place 6-12 days after ovulation Each woman is born with millions of immature eggs that are awaiting ovulation to begin A menstrual period can occur even if ovulation has not occurred Ovulation can occur even if a menstrual period has not occurred Some women can feel a bit of pain or aching near the ovaries during ovulation called mittelschmerz, which means "middle pain" in German If an egg is not fertilized, it disintegrates and is absorbed into the uterine lining Tracking Ovulation: A woman's monthly cycle is measured from the first day of her menstrual period until the first day of her next period. On average, a woman's cycle normally is between 28-32 days, but some women may have much shorter cycles or much longer ones. Ovulation can be calculated by starting with the day the last menstrual period (LMP) starts or by calculating 12-16 days from the next expected period. Most women ovulate anywhere between Day 11 - Day 21 of their cycle, counting from the first day of the LMP. This is what many refer to as the "fertile time" of a woman's cycle, because sexual intercourse during this time increases the chance of pregnancy. Ovulation can occur at various times during a cycle, and may occur on a different day each month. It is important to track your cycle; there are tools online to help you do this: Order Fertility Tracking The Ovulation Cycle Divided into Two Parts: The first part of the ovulation cycle is called the follicular phase. This phase starts the first day of the last menstrual period (LMP) and continues until ovulation. This first half of the cycle can differ greatly for each woman lasting anywhere from 7 days until 40 days. The second half of the cycle is called the luteal phase and is from the day of ovulation until the next period begins. The luteal phase has a more precise timeline and usually is only 12-16 days from the day of ovulation. This ultimately means that the day of ovulation will determine how long your cycle is. This also means that outside factors like stress, illness, and disruption of normal routine can throw off your ovulation which then results in changing the time your period will come. So the old thought that stress can affect your

period is only partly true. Stress can affect your ovulation which ultimately determines when your period will come, but stress around the time of an expected period will not make it lateit was already determined when it would come 12-16 days earlier! Fertility Awareness is one way to track when ovulation occurs, and it includes studying the changes in cervical mucus and using a basal thermometer. Cervical fluid will change to a wet, slippery substance that resembles "egg whites" just before ovulation occurs and until ovulation is over. A basal thermometer helps track a body temperature rise, which signals that ovulation has just occurred. Another way to track ovulation is through ovulation kits and fertility monitors. These can be Purchased Online. Tracking ovulation can help a woman get a better idea of when pregnancy can and cannot occur during her monthly cycle. Once ovulation has occurred, there is nothing you can do to increase your chances of pregnancy. Your next step is to begin watching for early pregnancy symptoms. From the Menstrual Period to Ovulation (the details you may not know!) When your menstrual cycle begins, your estrogen levels are low. Your hypothalamus (which is in charge of maintaining your hormone levels) sends out a message to your pituitary gland which then sends out the follicle stimulating hormone (FSH). This FSH triggers a few of your follicles to develop into mature eggs. One of these will develop into the dominant follicle, which will release a mature egg and the others will disintegrate. As the follicles mature they send out another hormone, estrogen. The high levels of estrogen will tell the hypothalamus and pituitary gland that there is a mature egg. A luteinizing hormone (LH) is then released, referred to as your LH surge. The LH surge causes the egg to burst through the ovary wall within 24-36 hours and begin its journey down the fallopian tube for fertilization. The follicle from which the egg was released is called the corpus luteum, and it will release progesterone that helps thicken and prepare the uterine lining for implantation. The corpus luteum will produce progesterone for about 12-16 days (the luteal phase of your cycle.) If an egg is fertilized, the corpus luteum will continue to produce progesterone for a developing pregnancy until the placenta takes over. You can begin looking for pregnancy symptoms as early as a week after fertilization. If fertilization does not occur the egg dissolves after 24 hours. At this time your hormone levels will decrease and your uterine lining will begin to shed about 12-16 days from ovulation. This is menstruation (menstrual period) and brings us back to day 1 of your cycle. The journey then begins all over again. The time of ovulation is one of the most important things a woman should understand about her body, since it is the determining factor in getting pregnant and preventing pregnancy. The process can be confusing and somewhat overwhelming when trying to understand. The Association recommends using an ovulation kit or fertility monitor to maximize your chances and to confirm when your ovulation is occuring. Ovulation Calender

3-Shettles method for boys

The Shettles method for boys aims to time sexual intercourse to coincide with the day of the woman's ovulation (or when she releases her egg). This is based on the theory that boy sperm are able to swim more quickly to the egg and are more likely to 'beat' the girl sperm to fertilise the egg first, but they are more fragile and may not survive as long. It also takes into account that 'boy' sperm may prefer a more alkaline environment. This is provided by the woman's 'peak fertile mucous' at ovulation as well as her vaginal secretions released during female orgasm. The Shettles method for boys claims an 80% success rate. However, the few, small studies done so far have been unable to support these claims. Many of the 'Shettles methods' for boys are also general recommendations for couples who are trying to conceive a baby of any sex (but not necessarily a boy). This is because it helps couples to time sex at the woman's most fertile time. The theory that boy babies are more likely to be conceived if fertilisation happens close to the time of ovulation is thought to be why pregnancies resulting from artificial insemination are slightly more likely to be boys. To understand the following outline you may need to review the information about charting the woman's menstrual cycle and her physical signs relating to ovulation in Class A. As a broad overview, the Shettles method for having boys recommends: 1. Allowing sex anytime after day 1 of the woman's menstrual cycle and up until her fertile phase (or about 4 days before ovulation) but using condoms during this time. 2. Avoiding sex (or the man ejaculating) totally during the woman's pre-fertile phase (about 4 days before ovulation). This is aimed at increasing the man's sperm count and increasing the couple's chances of having a boy. 3. When the woman's basal body temperature (or BBT) lowers, usually the day before ovulation, and/or as soon as she notices the peak 'eggwhite' fertile mucous, having sex without a condom. (If you wait until your temperature actually rises, indicating ovulation has already happened, this may be too late to conceive that cycle. 4. If you have sex during the 3 to 4 days following ovulation, you will need to use a condom. Once this time elapses you can freely have sex without a condom until the woman's next menstrual period (or perhaps for several months if you have a positive pregnancy test!) Other additional words of advice include: If the woman has an orgasm just before the man ejaculates, or soon after ejaculation, it increases the alkaline secretions in her vagina and uterus. This is supposed to favour 'boy' sperm. It also makes the woman's uterus and fallopian tubes to have rhythmic contractions, drawing the semen up towards the newly released egg. Intercourse with deep vaginal penetration is supposed to deposit the sperm as close to the cervix as possible, avoiding exposure to the more acidic vaginal environment. This may be achieved by the man's penis entering the woman's vagina from behind (rather than using the traditional face to face missionary position). The woman should try and stay in bed for at least 20 to 30 minutes after intercourse. Some women will place a pillow under their hips, to raise them slightly, aimed at encouraging the sperm to enter the uterus. Men should avoid exposures that may reduce their fertility and possibly favour girl sperm. This can entail not smoking and not having hot baths and saunas or wearing tight constrictive underwear or clothing (boxer shorts are ideal). Heat around the testes and 'fertility toxins' are supposed to favour

the survival of girl sperm and to reduce boy sperm counts. If the man is exposed to too many toxins, it may reduce his fertility to the point that he is unable to have any babies.

4-What is fertility awareness?

Fertility awareness is a collection of methods using your body's natural and normal functioning to determine the days of the month you are most likely to get pregnant. It is also called Natural Family Planning (NFP), the Sympto-Thermal Method, the Ovulation Method, or the Billings Method. Fertility awareness or Natural Family Planning is a method of birth control that does not use any drugs or devices. It combines the calendar/rhythm method, the basal body temperature method, and the cervical mucus method. The fertility awareness method is used both as a means of preventing pregnancy as well as targeting the most fertile time for getting pregnant. How does fertility awareness work? The calendar; basal body temperature; and cervical mucus methods are combined to give you the awareness of when your body is most fertile. As you become familiar with your body's ovulation and fertile periods, it provides you the opportunity to abstain from sexual intercourse or use a barrier method during that time. How do you use fertility awareness? The first objective within fertility awareness is to become familiar with your menstrual cycle and to begin charting your fertility pattern. The average menstrual cycle is between 28 to 32 days, however there are two parts related to your cycle: before ovulation and after ovulation. Here is a glance at an average cycle to give you a gauge for examining your cycle: Day 1: The first day of your menstrual flow is the beginning of your cycle. Day 7: By day seven your egg is preparing to be fertilized by sperm. Days 11-21: (based on 28-day cycle) Hormones in your body cause the egg to be released from the ovary around this time. This process is known as ovulation. The egg travels through the fallopian tube towards the uterus. If sperm penetrates the egg, the fertilized egg will attach to the lining of the uterus and begin to grow. If fertilization does not happen the egg breaks apart. Day 28: Hormone levels drop around this day causing the lining of the uterus to be shed making up your menstrual flow. It is important to realize that the first part of the menstrual cycle (before ovulation) is different in every woman and can even change from month to month. The variation usually occurs from 13 to 20 days long. The last half of the cycle is usually more similar for every women, because there are about 14 days from day of ovulation until the start of the next period. This is why women are encouraged to track their cycles and count back 14 days from their LMP to narrow down their most fertile time of the month. a)Calendar tracking method: Your past menstrual cycles will work as a guide for estimating your fertile times. In order to track your menstrual cycle and to identify your expected ovulation follow the step by step process below: Step 1: Plan on tracking your menstrual cycle for 8 to 12 months.

Step 2: Day 1 will be the first day you start menstruation. Step 3: Pick the longest and shortest of the cycles from your monthly tracking. Step 4: The first day of your fertility period is determined by subtracting 18 days from the length of your shortest cycle. If 26 days was your shortest menstrual cycle, take 26 and subtract 18 to come up with the number 8. This means that the first day of your fertility window starts on the 8th day of your cycle. Step 5: The last fertile day is determined by subtracting 11 from the length of your longest cycle. If 32 days was your longest menstrual cycle, take 32 and subtract 11 to reach the number 21. This means that the last day of your fertility period ends on the 21st day of your cycle. The time in between these is considered your fertility window. In the above example, your fertility period would be from the 8th day of your cycle to the 21st day of your cycle. Your ovulation is expected during this time frame. You cannot get pregnant everyday during this time, but it is sometime during this time frame that pregnancy can occur. If you are trying to avoid getting pregnant, you need to abstain from sexual intercourse or use a barrier form of birth control during your fertility window. If you are trying to get pregnant, this fertility period would be the targeted time for sexual intercourse. b)Basal body temperature method: Your basal body temperature measures a change in the temperature that occurs after ovulation and remains elevated until your next period. By looking at charting from a few cycles, the temperatures can reveal a pattern from which ovulation can be anticipated. The steps below can help you as you begin to track your temperature and identify when you are ovulating. Step 1: Take your temperature orally each morning before you become active. Step 2: Use a basal thermometer which recognizes small changes in your temperature. Your body temperature will only rise between 0.4 and 1 degree farenheit when you ovulate. Buy a Basal Thermometer Now. Step 3: Record you temperature every day on your fertility tracking calendar. If you record it every day, you will see that prior to ovulation your temperature is rather consistent. As you get closer to ovulation, you may have a slight decline, but it will be followed by a sharp increase after ovulation. The increase in temperature is the sign that ovulation has just occurred. Because the increase happens after you have ovulated, this method is best used by those who have time to track and study their charts for a couple months, to ensure the best chances of conception. Illness, lack of sleep, and alcohol or drug use can affect your temperature and make it difficult to establish an accurate reading. c)Cervical mucus method: The consistency of your cervical mucus changes during the menstrual cycle. In the average cycle, there are 3 to 4 dry days following a 5 day menstrual flow. The mucus wetness increases daily, lasting approximately 9 days until the wettest day. Your mucus is easily recognized at this point. It should be abundant, slippery, clear, and very stretchy. It has been described as egg whites.

Ovulation occurs when you have your peak day of stretchy mucus (within two days). In order to use the cervical mucus method to identify your ovulation follow the few steps noted below: Step 1: Collect the mucus from the vaginal opening with your fingers by wiping them from front to back. Step 2: Record it daily on your fertility calendar by making note of the color (yellow, white, clear or cloudy), the consistency (thick, sticky, or stretchy) and the feel (dry, wet, sticky, slippery, stretchy). Step 3: Ovulation is recorded on the day that your mucus is clearest, slippery and most stretchy. Do not douche or use spermicides which increase your risk for infection and may wash away or change the appearance of the mucus. How effective is fertility awareness? When fertility awareness is used correctly and consistently, it may reach effective rates around 90%. The effectiveness depends on your diligence to track and record your fertility pattern and your commitment to abstaining from sexual intercourse or using a barrier form of birth control during your fertility window. Typical use, which refers to the average use, shows a failure rate of approximately 25%. If you are committed to tracking and recording your fertility information, you can achieve much higher success rates. What are the side effects or health risks of fertility awareness? There are no health risks or side effects associated with fertility awareness. Is fertility awareness reversible? Yes. Fertility awareness does not have any effects on the male or female reproductive functioning. Pregnancy is possible immediately following the practice of fertility awareness. How much does fertility awareness cost? Fertility awareness is free to inexpensive. Free training sessions are usually available around your community through health centers, pregnancy services, or some churches. Thermometers used to measure basal body temperatures cost between $10 and $15 and are available at local drugstores, grocery stores or supercenters. You may use one of your home calendars to record this information, or you can purchase a fertility awareness chart which cost approximately $8. Are there any other physical signs of ovulation? Your fertility period may be identified by paying attention to other functions of your body. Fertility and ovulation are sometimes tracked or noticed by women who: Experience a change in the cervix Have a slight one-sided pain in the area of an ovary Softening of the cervix Breast tenderness Fertility awareness is an acceptable means of birth control for couples who have religious concerns related to contraception. Fertility awareness is also used by couples who are trying to get pregnant. It helps you target your reproductive efforts at the best times to get pregnant. What are the pros and cons of fertility awareness?

The Pros of Fertility Awareness include: 1. Effective when used correctly and consistently 2. No side effects 3. Immediate reversibility 4. Inexpensive or free 5. No devices, no drugs, no prescriptions or office visits 6. Does not contain estrogen which may increase the risk of heart problems 7. Acceptable for couples who have religious concerns related to contraception 8. Effective for couples who are preventing or trying to get pregnant. The Cons of Fertility Awareness include: 1. Requires diligence from both partners 2. Requires periods of abstinence or backup contraception for approximately 1/3 of the month 3. Requires consistent and accurate record keeping 4. More challenging for women with irregular cycles

5-How to Conceive a Baby Boy Naturally

Conceiving a boy naturally is possible if you know a few easy techniques. I once knew a woman who had 5 girls and each time she wanted a boy. She desperately wanted to give her husband the boy he desired. I wish I knew then what I know now about conceiving a boy, maybe I would have been able to give her some advice. There are a number of things couples can do in order to increase their chances of conceiving a baby boy naturally. These techniques are scientifically based, not 100% effective, but they provide a great deal of information and following them will certainly increase the odds of getting pregnant with a boy. Scientists have discovered that the Y or male sperm is weaker, has a lower survival rate, but swims faster than the X or female sperm. A male sperm will most likely fertilize the egg if: 1.If you have intercourse 12 hours before ovulation. The male sperms can swim faster and reach the egg before the female sperm. 2. If you track your ovulation signs using a ovulation monitor and know when you are about to ovulate. 3. If you have intercourse using a sexual position (e.g. missionary) that causes deep penetration. 4. If you follow a specific diet that causes the cervical mucus pH to be more alkaline. Conceiving a Boy Diet Your diet is the first way to help your body be more alkaline. Avoid dairy products, lower magnesium and calcium supplements and increase vegetables, fresh fruits like bananas. Increase foods that contain potassium. Alkalinizing foods include: figs, cherries, fresh lemons, kamut pasta, spelt bread, lentils, avocado, royal jelly, pine nuts, almonds, carrots, red radish, fresh red beets, alfalfa grass, barley grass, sprouted seeds, wheatgrass. Best Sex Position for Conceiving a Boy In order to conceive a boy, couples should achieve deep penetration during intercourse. The idea is to deposit the sperm as close as possible to the cervix in order to shorten the distance the male sperm have to travel in order to reach the egg. Since they swim faster but are weaker and die first, it is important to give them an advance over the female sperm. Ovulation and Timing

To increase your chances of having a male sperm reach the egg, it is important to time intercourse right at ovulation. If you do not know exactly when you ovulate, you need to learn how to chart your fertility signs in order to detect ovulation. Ovulation kits can definitely help you achieve this task. A fertility monitor like Ovacue will help you detect your fertile days a couple of days in advance, timing is the key! Once you know you are about to ovulate, have intercourse at least 12-24 hours before ovulation. The closer to ovulation you have intercourse, the higher your chances of conceiving a baby boy. Why? Because the male sperms swim faster than the female sperm. Also, male sperm does not live as long, so you need to have sex often and as close as possible to ovulation. If you manage to have intercourse just before, lots of healthy male sperm will be swimming around ready to fertilize the egg once it is released from the ovary. If you have intercourse right on the day before your ovulation, the male sperm will reach the egg first because they swim faster and because there will be lots of them. The likelihood of conceiving a boy greatly increases. The Impotence of pH When Conceiving a Boy The pH of the vagina should be alkaline in order to support male sperm. In fact, male sperms need an environment that is not acidic. In order to check the pH of your cervical mucus, you can purchase at your local health food store pH stripes and test just before ovulation. If your pH is acidic you need to increase it to alkaline levels through your diet by eating alkaline forming foods. Douching Douching with baking soda is recommended only in women who are really acidic. Add two tablespoons of baking soda in lukewarm water, mix gently and allow the enough time for the baking soda to be completed dissolved. Apply the douche using a disposable douche bottle from the pharmacy. Make sure to rinse thoroughly to avoid contamination. Many practitioners do not recommend extensive douching while trying to conceive. It is best to make your vagina alkaline by eating the right kind of food first. Female Orgasm When Conceiving A Boy The women should reach orgasm during intercourse when trying to conceive a boy. Having an orgasm changes the pH level of the cervical mucus to a more alkaline value. Also, a low pH or acidic pH will cause the male sperm to die sooner than the female one, which can survive longer in an acidic environment. A alkaline environment increases the survival rate of the male sperm. The Father's Role It is important to avoid ejaculation up to 4 days before ovulation. The idea here is to release sperm in the female reproductive tract only at ovulation to have as many male sperm as possible. By avoiding ejaculation for a number of days, the sperm count increases and the likelihood of having male sperm is higher. The father should also avoid excess heating around the genitals because heat destroys male sperm faster than female ones. Avoid, tight fitting underwear, saunas, hot tubs, bicycling, etc. If the male partner has low sperm count, it is important to help increase by avoiding drugs, alcohol, illness, stress, coffee, toxic exposure, smoking, and cell phones. Increase moderate levels of regular exercise. Learn relaxation techniques and consider taking fertility vitamins that increase sperm count and improve male fertility.

6-How to Conceive a Boy

In his book, Dr. Shettles discusses the issues which will help you learn how to conceive a boy. Some of the basic ideas are listed below, but you will need to purchase the book in order to get the full details as Dr. Shettles goes it to much more detail. Failure to follow his instructions lessens the chances of you conceiving a boy. The Shettles Method is based on the fact that the Y chromosome bearing sperm ( boy sperm ) are smaller and less robust but move faster than the larger X chromosome bearing sperm ( girl sperm ). So based on this fact, the Shettle Method recommends the following to help you conceive a boy. Determining the Time of Ovulation: Determining when you ovulate is vital when you are learning how to conceive a boy. Shettles recommends that you have sex as early as 24 hours before ovulation to no more than 12 hours past ovulation in order to increase your chances of conceiving a boy. Having sex too far in advance to ovulation will dramatically decrease your chances of conceiving a boy. The timing of intercourse in relation to ovulation is a vital factor in increasing your chances of having a boy. Shettles suggests three specific ways in which to do this. 1) Charting Cervical Mucus 2) Basal Body Temperature (BBT) Charting 3) Using Ovulation Predictor Kits Frequency and Timing of Intercourse: Shettles says in order to increase the chances of having a boy, you should have sex no earlier than 24 hours before ovulation to 12 hours after ovulation. Intercourse closer to ovulation the faster but less robust Y (boy) sperm. The cervical mucus present at ovulation is less acidic and slippery enough to help the Y (boy) sperm reach the egg more quickly. Sex and Orgasms: When trying to conceive a boy, Shettles suggests that orgasms during sex are a good thing as the body produces substances after orgasm that makes the vaginal environment more alkaline, which favors the boy sperm. The contractions which accompany an orgasm help move the sperm up and into the cervix, giving the boy sperm an extra chance at being available when your egg is available for fertilization. Considerations for the Men: Have your partner wear boxers. Wearing tight fitting underwear increases the heat levels around the testes and can, in turn, lower the sperm count. Wearing loose fitting underwear helps keep the testes cooler. How Can Diet Help? Conceiving a boy is thought to be more likely if your diet makes the pH balance in your body lean more towards alkaline than acidic. This is because a more acidic balance can kill off the less robust boy sperm quicker. So if you're really desperate to have a boy, you might want to try eating less acidic foods and eating more alkaline foods such as red meats, eggs, bread, fish, certain vegetables (broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, carrots, mushrooms, celery) and slightly increasing your salt intake.

These changes will need to start a few weeks before you start trying to conceive. One last tip for conceiving a boy; it is thought that in cold weather caffeine makes the Y sperm more active, so your partner could try drinking a caffeinated drink just before you have sex. For women who have a 28 to 32 day menstrual cycle, ovulation can take place between days 11 through 21. Remember this is just an average of days that ovulation could take placeevery woman's cycle is different.

7-Sperm Count
The quality and quantity of sperms in seminal fluid have a direct impact on the male ability to accomplish fertilization. In other words, male fertility depends on both sperm quantity and sperm quality. A low sperm count or unhealthy sperm will hamper conception. Studies have shown that normal human semen should have sperm concentration of 20 million spermatozoa or more per every ml, sperm count of at least 40 million spermatozoa per ejaculate, and motility of above 50% with forward progression and of above 25% with rapid progression. However, many factors can affect sperm and obstruct conception - sometimes temporarily, other times permanently. The good news is that there are ways to increase sperm count and quality: switching to a healthy diet that includes certain foods, taking certain vitamins and nutritional supplements, performing PC exercises, or taking herbal semen enhancement pills Causes for Low Sperm Count Fertility problems in men may be multi-factorial, meaning that there may be more than one cause at the root of the problem. Here are some of the possible causes for low sperm count: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. Prostate gland disorders Hormonal problems Overweight Heat (due to wearing tight underpants, prolonged sitting in hot tub, etc.) Infected semen Increased masturbation and repeated ejaculation over a short period of time Smoking and drinking alcohol Anabolic steroid use Some prescription drugs Some illnesses Genetic disorders Testicular injury and disease Environmental toxins and radiation Zinc deficiency

How to Increase Sperm Count Naturally Switch to a healthy lifestyle.Needless to say, bad health results in low sperm count. You should try to stay away from cigarettes and alcohol, cut out unhealthy processed foods and exercise regularly. If you are overweight lose the excess weight. Have a healthy diet, rich in proteins and vitamins. Also, try to reduce the stress in your life; you can do that by stress-reducing exercise like yoga or meditation practice. Include in your daily menu foods that increase sperm count.

Oysters are long valued as food that is rich in zinc and known to increase sperm and testosterone production. Bananas, Avocado and nuts can also help in this matter. Foods that contain lycopene (for example tomatoes) are also considered to increase sperm count. Certain vitamins are essential for male fertility and their deficiency may lower sperm count and quality. For example, Vitamins C and E are very important for healthy sperm production. Adjust your timing between ejaculations and the frequency of sex. It is advised to maintain a three day gap between ejaculations if you have a documented sperm count issue. Additionally, sperm count is considered to be highest in the morning. Therefore, if you want to conceive consider having sex in morning to afternoon hours. Foods that increase sperm volume. This is probably what men most often overlook when it comes to semen production - their daily routines and diet. Food is the main source for a number of substances required for your body's proper functioning and affects sperm production too. For example the deficiency of zinc in your daily diet may lead to lower fertility since the sperm count your body will produce will be less. Zinc is contained in largest amount in oysters. Other foods to get your daily dose of zinc are meat (lamb, pork, beef and poultry), followed by beans, nuts, sunflower and pumpkin seeds. In addition to these foods, a number of studies show that tomatoes, thanks to the lycopene contained in them, also increase sperm count. Vitamins and nutrients improving sperm production. For male fertility it is not only the sperm count that matters but also the quality of your semen. Selenium and vitamins C and E can improve both your sperm cells' production and their motility (swimming action). L-Arginine is amino acid (protein) that also plays an important role in semen production. PC exercises to increase the amount of ejaculate produced. A strong PC muscle (pubococcygeus muscle) achieved by pc exercises is not only shown to improve orgasms and increase the amount of the produced ejaculate but also help men maintain control over erections and ejaculations. PC exercises can really help men suffering from premature ejaculation. In order to increase your sperm production and improve its quality you will need a mix of herbs, vitamins and minerals

8-How to Conceive a Boy - Shettles Method

Timing intercourse: Have intercourse the day of ovulation.Timing intercourse correctly is the most important factor. Learn to detect when you ovulate and practice until you're sure you understand your body's signals that ovulation is approaching. The ideal time for intercourse is 12 hours before ovulation.Have intercourse only once on the day of ovulation. If you are tracking ovulation by the BBT method, time intercourse for the day of the "dip" in temperature before the BBT rise.If you are tracking ovulation by the CM method, time intercourse as close as possible to the shift from peak mucus back to thicker, cloudier mucus.

Why is this important? Conditions for conception are ideal on the day of ovulation, favoring the faster Y-sperm. The egg is released at ovulation and is waiting for the sperm, so the sperm don't use up their short lives waiting for the egg to show up. Also, the environment of the vagina becomes more hospitable to sperm at ovulation; the cervical fluid increases and becomes more slippery, making it easier for the sperm to swim, and also becomes more alkaline, helping the sperm to survive. Abstinence: The father must not ejaculate during the 4 - 5 days before ovulation. Intercourse and ejaculation are okay up until 4 to 5 days before ovulation, but after that point the father must avoid any ejaculation until the day of ovulation. Always use a condom when you have intercourse, both before and after ovulation, to prevent the possibility of conceiving on days when it is more likely to have girl. (Except, of course, during your one attempt on the day of ovulation.) Avoiding ejaculation allows a higher sperm count to build up. Dr. Shettles associated a higher sperm count with more male offspring. Scrotal temperature: The father should "keep it cool". The father should make sure to avoid excessive heat around the scrotum, which can be caused by tight, hot clothing, or an overly hot workplace. Choose boxers. Even close-fitting underwear can make the scrotum too warm by holding it too closely against the body. No saunas, hot tubs, or scuba diving. Bicycling has been linked to impotence and reduced sperm count, so while you are actively trying to conceive you may want to choose another sport. The optimum temperature for sperm production is a little lower than body temperature, which is why a man's sperm factory is housed in a handy bag just outside the body -- the scrotum. If the temperature is too warm, sperm count for both X and Y sperm will be reduced, but the more fragile Y-sperm will perish first. Sperm count: The father should avoid other causes of reduced sperm count. Illness can temporarily reduce sperm count, so if the father is sick you may want to delay your attempt until the following cycle. Smoking, drug and alcohol use, and exposure to toxic chemicals, can all reduce sperm count. Emotional stress is associated with lower sperm counts. You may want to check into relaxation techniques. Regular exercise and maintaining a healthy weight are lifestyle changes that can improve sperm count. Lack of certain vitamins and minerals can lower sperm count. You may want to try a nutritional supplement for enhancing male fertility. Any form of stress, not just heat, can affect sperm production and lower sperm count.

Diet: The father may have some caffeine just before intercourse. The father can have a couple of cups of coffee (or other caffeinated drink) fifteen minutes to half an hour before intercourse in cold weather. Dr. Shettles believed the caffeine would give both types of sperm a boost, but that Y-sperm would get a little more of a boost. Female orgasm: Have one! The woman should try to have an orgasm during intercourse, ideally just before the man's. (If you don't, though, don't get too hung up about it.) Female orgasm causes the cervical fluid to become even more plentiful and alkaline, and thus more hospitable to the sperm, which would again favor the faster swimming Y-sperm. Vaginal environment: Try to make the vagina as alkaline as possible. Douching: Dr. Shettles recommends douching only for women who are very acidic, and under the advice of a doctor. Please consult your doctor before using a douche. If you do decide to douche, here is how to prepare a baking soda douche: Use 2 tablespoons of baking soda in warm (not hot) mineral or filtered water.Wash your hands and mix thoroughly in a clean glass.Cover glass with a napkin, and wait 10 minutes to allow to completely dissolve.

Natural Birth Control Methods

Methods of determining infertile days or Safe period to avoid pregnancy is in use for thousands years as a natural birth control method. Studies shows that implimenation of modern scientific knowledge along with these calendar based charts will improve the accuracy of safe period calculation methods. Menstrual cycles have several days at the beginning that are infertile (preovulatory infertility), a period of fertility, and then several days just before the next menstruation that are infertile (post-ovulatory infertility). The first day of bleeding is considered day one of the menstrual cycle. In this safe period calculator, day 21 to rest of the cycle is calculated as "Safe Period" for individuals with regular 26-32 days cycles. Plese read the method overview for more information. Proper use of Safe Period Calculation method along with coitus interruptus (withdrawal method or pull-out method) is a suggested as a sin free or green family planning method for couples with self control over sexuality. Withdrawal method is not suggested for adolescents or those having casual sex. Others may use condoms during unsafe days to avoid serious and potentially lifethreatening risks associated with the use of contraceptive pills. What is a regular period? Menstrual cycle is regulated by hormones and regular menstrual period occurs every month without any missing periods, depending upon your cycle length. A variation of two to three days between menstrual cycles is normal and for some women, menstrual cycle is repeated almost regularly in every 28 days. Although the period of the menstrual cycle can vary from 21 to 35 days, the average cycle lasts for 28 days. What is an irregular or abnormal menstrual pattern?

Menstrual cycles longer than 35 days or shorter than 21 days are abnormal. Menstrual bleeding normally lasts between two and seven days, with the average being five days and periods last for longer than seven days are generally considered as abnormal. Who can use Safe Period Calculator? If your average menstrual cycle length in last 6 months falls between 26 and 32 and the variation between the shortest cycle and longest cycle during this time is 7 days or less, you may utilize the safe period calculator method for birth control. Who cannot use Safe Period Calculator? If your average menstrual period length is less than 26 days or more than 32 days and the variation between the shortest cycle and longest cycle during this time is 8 days or more, you may not use this method. Soon after child birth: you must wait for 6 regular periods, before using this method. Safe Period Calculator : Method Overview The menstrual cycle, is commonly divided into three phases: the follicular phase (pre-ovulatory phase), ovulation, and the luteal phase (post-ovulatory phase). The length of each phase varies from woman to woman and cycle to cycle, though the average menstrual cycle is 28 days. Menstrual cycles are counted from the first day of menstrual bleeding. The follicular phase (or proliferative phase) is the phase of the menstrual cycle; before ovulation, during which follicles in the ovary mature. It ends with ovulation. The main hormone controlling this stage is estradiol. Ovulation is the process in a female?s menstrual cycle by which a mature ovarian follicle ruptures and discharges an ovum. The time immediately surrounding ovulation is referred to as the ovulatory phase. A woman gets pregnant around the days when ovulation occurs. The luteal phase (or secretory phase) is the latter phase of the menstrual cycle. It begins with the formation of the corpus luteum and ends in either pregnancy or degradation of the corpus luteum. The corpus luteum is a temporary endocrine structure, involved in production of estrogen and progestogen, which is needed to maintain the endometrium, the inner membrane of the uterus. The infertility period depends on the life span of sperm and on the life span of the egg. The average time of ovulation is the 14th day of an average length (28 day) menstrual cycle. Ovulation time vary for each individual, and can occur from 12th to 19th day of the cycle. Sperm can live up to 3 to 5 days in a womans reproductive tract, so it is possible to become pregnant if unprotected sex occurs 5 days before ovulation. The life span of the typical egg is relatively short, only around 24 hours. If fertilization does not occur within that time frame, the egg will die. Safe days for sex to avoid pregnancy In Safe period Calculator Method, day 1-7 of a regular menstrual period lasting from 26 to 32 days are calculated as infertile or safe; considering the 3-5 day life span of sperm cells in the female reproductive track. Post ovulatory infertility is calculated based on the fact that; if ovulation occurs on 19th day, fertilization can result until 20th day of the cycle. Since it is a calendar based method, results may vary from person to person.