From: sdavis@khan.ColoSpgs.NCR.COM (Susan Davis)
Newsgroups: misc.kids
Subject: Ovulation and Sex Selection (was RE: When is THAT time?)
Date: 12 Aug 92 15:59:29 GMT
Reply-To: sdavis@khan.ColoSpgs.NCR.COM (Susan Davis)
Distribution: world
Organization: NCR Microelectronic Products Division

__________________
Can someone please summarize the basics of when
ovulation occurs and how gender selection occurs?

Thanks
Kathy T. (kvt@willow.mitre.org)
------------------

This question comes up quite often.  I will summarize based on my understanding
of this.  My information is from the book "How to Choose the Sex of Your Baby"
by Landrum B. Shettles, M.D., Ph.D., and David M. Rorvik.  If you want more
detailed information, I would recommend reading the book.

WHEN OVULATION OCCURS:

The average woman ovulates on day 14 of her cycle (counting from first day
of period).  But, most women ovulate 14 days before the start of their next
period.  If your cycle is 30 days, you may ovulate on day 16 and if only 26
days then maybe on day 12.  These are just averages.  To use the sex
selection techniques, you need to be able to accurately predict when you
ovulate during your cycle.

  BBT (Basal Body Temp) Method

  Take your temp every morning (before getting out of bed) and chart the
  information.  On the day of ovulation your temp will rise 4/10 to 1 degree
  and will stay elevated until your next cycle (usually over 98).

  CM (Cercical Mucus) Method

  Estrogen makes the cervical secretions thinner, clearer and more copious the
  closer you get to ovulation.  As you approach ovulation, your mucus will
  get clearer and more stretchy (and more abundant).  After ovulation, it
  will abrubtly go to a thicker cloudy state.  You should check you mucus
  daily and chart it over 3 months.  This is a very accurate measure.  The
  best description of the mucus on the day of ovulation is the consistency
  of raw egg white.

  Ovulation Prediction Kits

  Costly and not really necessary unless you are very irregular. 

USING THIS INFO FOR SEX SELECTION:

The emphasis throughout the book is that you should make sure that you will
be happy with a child of either sex.  This is not a guarantee.

For A Boy (Claim 80-85% success rate if followed closely)

- You may have sex early in the cycle using comdoms.  Abstain entirely from
4 days before ovulation day to build up sperm count.  Have sex as close to
ovulation as possible.  On once and then resume using condoms.
- Try to acheive deep penatration.  Female orgasm will increase the alkaline
sectretions which aid sperm.  Rear vaginal penetration is recommended for
the most ideal placement.

The idea is that the male (Y) sperm is smaller and faster than the female (X)
sperm and can arrive more quickly to the egg.  If the egg is present (ovulation
has occurred) then it is more likely to be a Y sperm that gets there first.
Also, Y sperm are weaker and are lower in quantity in low sperm counts and
can not always withstand a more acidic environment found in the woman the
further out from ovulation.

For A Girl (Claim 75-80% success rate)

- Have intercourse frequently (daily if possible) from early on in cycle.  Stop
4, 3 or 2 days prior to predicted ovulation (start with 4 days and if that
doesn't work, you may consider moving closer to ovulation day).  Do not have
sex until atleast a few days past ovulation and then use condoms.  Frequent
sex will diminish sperm count and will favor X sperm.  The X sperm is
hardier and maybe able to survive long enough for the egg to arrive.
- Missionary position and shallow penatration are recommended.  Also, the woman
should not have an orgasm.
- Because the factors that favor a Girl are also those that may not result in
conception at all, it may take longer to conceive a girl (several months) using
this method.

Disclaimer:  I have no personal experience with this other than we are 
currently trying for a "girl" using this method.  I have found the CM method
very useful.  I find it to be fun to try and increase the odds slightly!

-- Susan Davis (Mommy to Ryan -- 16 months)

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