What is baby gender selection? Does it work?
Couples sometimes seek to have a male child or a female child, exploring methods for selecting the baby's gender or undergoing procedures to determine it. In this article, we bring you the most essential information about the gender selection process, its types, and its success rates.
Why do some people resort to gender selection procedures?
- Some couples opt for gender selection to have a male child, especially if the family only has daughters.
- In other cases, families may wish for a female child if they only have sons.
- Another reason is to avoid the transmission of certain hereditary diseases that are linked to the baby's gender.
What are the options for gender selection procedures?
Gender Selection During Artificial Insemination
In artificial insemination procedures, the egg is fertilized with sperm, and then the embryos are implanted in the woman's uterus. The Ericsson method is used here to separate the faster-swimming sperm from the slower ones. The faster sperm, the more likely to result in a male embryo, are selected for artificial insemination. It's worth noting that this method is only about 70 to 75% effective.
Choosing the Baby's Gender in IVF Procedures
In in vitro fertilization (IVF), significantly when pregnancy is delayed, or there are fertility issues, the woman is given drugs to stimulate the ovaries, increasing the number of eggs produced each month. These eggs are then collected and fertilized externally with sperm. To choose the gender of the baby, fertility doctors can perform genetic tests to determine the sex of the embryos before implantation. If the couple wants a male child, the doctor will implant male embryos, and vice versa for a female child. The gender is chosen before IVF fertilization, and the embryos are then implanted in the woman's uterus.
Home Methods for Determining Baby's Gender
Couples may not wish to consult fertility experts for various reasons, most commonly financial, and may turn to home methods for choosing the baby's gender. Here are some of the most popular methods:
Determining Baby's Gender by Modifying Vaginal pH
Some theories suggest that the pH level of the vagina can influence the baby's gender. Thus, women who want to conceive a boy may use an alkaline vaginal wash for several weeks before ovulation to adjust the pH and potentially increase the chances of having a boy. Conversely, those desiring a girl might use an acidic vaginal wash. It's important to note that homemade solutions, like a mixture of water and baking soda for alkalinity or water and vinegar for acidity, can cause burns and sores in the vagina. Therefore, it’s crucial to consult with a gynecologist before using any product inside the vagina.
Choosing Baby's Gender by Timing Intercourse
It's advised to have intercourse during ovulation days for those wanting a male child. For those hoping for a female child, engaging in intimate relations four days before ovulation is recommended. Ovulation can be tracked through home tests or by monitoring body temperature. However, this method doesn't guarantee results for everyone.
Determining Baby's Gender Through Mother's Diet
Despite the lack of scientific proof or medical research confirming the effectiveness of altering the mother's diet in determining the baby's gender, some theories suggest that an alkaline environment in the mother's body may increase the likelihood of conceiving a boy. This method isn't guaranteed, but it's harmless.
The diet that increases body alkalinity includes:
- Increasing consumption of vegetables and fresh fruits, especially citrus and carrots.
- Eating potassium-rich foods, such as fish, bananas, and avocados.
- Avoiding cow's milk products.
- Consuming nuts.
In the end, whether you are blessed with a boy or a girl is a matter of fate. All you can do is take appropriate measures, pray for a healthy child, and be prepared to care for and raise your child in the best way possible.
