Most couples leave the gender of their baby to chance. After all, according to the World Health Organization, about 51% of the babies born are boys and 49% are girls – the odds are, so to speak, almost 50-50. But what if there’s a possibility of “choosing” your baby’s sex? Some people say the time and manner of making love can contribute to the odds of having a baby boy or girl. Is it true that the missionary position for conceiving a baby girl is effective? The answers and more here.
What is the Missionary Position?
The missionary position is a traditional coital position where one partner (usually, the woman) lies on her back and the other person (usually, the man) is on top, the two of them facing each other.
Of course, there are now variations to this position, such as man raising the woman’s legs during penetration or the man standing instead of hovering over his partner.
Some people say that this position adds to the chance of having a baby girl. Is the missionary position for conceiving a baby girl effective?
What’s the Principle Behind the Missionary Position for Conceiving a Baby Girl?
The principle behind the missionary position for conceiving a baby girl is the Shettles Method.
First explained in the 1960s, the Shettles Method is a set of principles explaining when and how a couple should have sex to produce the desired gender of their baby. It was created by Landrum B. Shettles, a physician whose expertise lies in obstetrics and gynecology.
Dr. Shettles observed the different characteristics of sperm cells in relation to the chromosome they carry. Basically, he said that:
- Male-producing sperm love an alkaline environment
- Female-producing sperm love an acidic environment
From this, Dr. Shettles outlined some recommendations on when and how a couple should have sex to produce the desired gender of their baby.
The Shettles Method At A Glance
Before we talk about the missionary position for conceiving a baby girl, let’s first talk about the timing.
The Shettles Method indicates that if you want to have a baby girl, refrain from having sexual intercourse 2 to 3 days before ovulation. It’s best to have penetrative sex in the period before that or between the end of menstruation and 3 days before ovulation.
Dr. Shettles said this period is when the female reproductive tract is acidic.
As for position, the missionary position for conceiving a baby girl is recommended because it’s a form of shallow penetration. The acidic environment of the vagina will help “attract” female-producing sperm cells.
Lastly, Dr. Shettles indicated that the timing of the orgasm matters, too, considering the female orgasm secretion is alkaline. Hence, if you want a baby girl, the woman should refrain from orgasm until after the man has ejaculated. That way, her secretion won’t add to the alkalinity of the environment.
The Question Now Is: Is It Effective?
The Shettles Method has been both supported and refuted by many people. Some couples say following the method did result in having a baby girl (or boy). Some, however, said it didn’t work for them.
On top of anecdotal evidence, some studies also said the method is not effective. A study even said that it’s not true that male-producing and female-producing sperm are shaped differently, suggesting that they don’t vary in characteristics.
Key Takeaways
According to the Shettles Method, female-producing sperm love an acidic environment. For this reason, it’s best to have sexual intercourse between the end of menstruation and the third day before ovulation. A position with shallow penetration like the missionary position is advisable, too.
Still, at the end of the day, not one method can ensure that a couple will have a baby girl or boy. Hence, the missionary position for conceiving a baby girl may or may not work.
Learn more about Getting Pregnant here.
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