There are many people who are looking for ways to increase the chances of conceiving a boy. There's no guarantee you'll be able to choose the gender of your baby, but there are plenty of options to explore. You can use home methods, such as maximizing your sperm count and changing your diet. You may also consider medical procedures, such as sperm separation or IVF. Feel free to try different options as you see fit.
Step
Method 1 of 4: Using the Home Method
Step 1. Choose a sex position from behind
Some experts recommend sexual positions that support deep penetration to increase the chances of conceiving a boy, such as from behind. The logic is, ejaculating during deep penetration puts the sperm as close to the cervix as possible to the advantage of the faster-swimming male sperm.
In shallow penetration, sperm may be deposited further from the cervix, and that means the more durable female sperm (longer life in the vagina) is benefited
Step 2. Try to get the wife to reach orgasm
Male sperm are weaker than female sperm tend to die more quickly in the acidic environment in the vagina. However, if the wife orgasms, the male sperm has a greater chance because the cervix secretes extra fluid during orgasm. Thus, the vaginal environment is more hospitable to the male sperm and increases its chances of reaching the egg.
There are also claims that contractions during orgasm help push sperm into the cervix more quickly. However, remember that this statement has not been scientifically proven
Step 3. Consider getting pregnant before the age of 30 or 35
Some research shows that the older you are, the higher your chances of conceiving a girl. Therefore, if you want to have a boy, you should start early. The odds are higher if the wife is not yet 30 and the husband is 35.
Method 2 of 4: Trying the Sperm Separation Procedure
Step 1. Consider visiting a licensed Ericsson clinic
The Ericsson Albumin method is a technique for separating male sperm from female sperm. However, remember that there are still many doctors and researchers who question its effectiveness. This method is still attractive to some people because it is relatively cheap (around 8 to 15 million rupiah) compared to other techniques.
Search the internet for information about Ericsson clinics or ask your doctor. You can schedule a visit on the date of ovulation
Step 2. Visit the clinic to provide a sperm sample and process the sperm
Upon arrival at the clinic on the day of the wife's ovulation, the husband must provide a sample of his sperm. In general, sperm reaches its highest number after 2–5 days without ejaculation. So, you may be asked to abstain from sexual activity about 48 hours before your appointment.
- After the husband provides the sample, the sperm is inserted into a protein tube called albumin. Sperm can swim in albumin, but Ericsson's method assumes that male sperm which is smaller, weaker, and faster than female sperm can pass through albumin more rapidly.
- That is, after waiting for the sperm to swim from the top to the bottom of the tube, the sperm near the bottom of the tube (should be) male, while the sperm near the top of the tube is female.
Step 3. Undergo artificial insemination
To try to conceive a boy, clinic staff will take sperm from under the albumin tube and implant it into the wife's body. At this point, it is expected that the wife will become pregnant. However, as with sexual intercourse, there is no guarantee that pregnancy will occur.
There are several methods of artificial insemination that can be used, but the most common is intra uterine insemination (IUI). In this method, sperm is injected via a catheter directly into the uterus
Method 3 of 4: Undergoing IVF
Step 1. Find a hospital or clinic that provides PGD and IVF
Preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) is a medical process that analyzes the genetic information of an embryo before it is implanted into the uterus. This method can also determine the sex of the baby. If you are interested in trying, contact the nearest clinic that offers this procedure.
PGD combined with in-vitro fertilization (IVF) is one of the few ways to choose a baby's sex with absolute certainty. However, this method is also one of the most complex and expensive
Step 2. Get fertility treatment
If the clinic agrees to do this procedure, the wife may have to start preparing to give the egg a few weeks to a month in advance. Generally, women undergoing PGD and IVF are given fertility drugs to stimulate the ovaries to release more mature eggs.
- Usually, fertility drugs are used for about two weeks in pill form or via injection.
- Sometimes there will be mild side effects, such as burning sensation, nausea, bloating, headache, and blurred vision.
Step 3. Get a hormone shot
Besides being given fertility drugs, the wife also received a series of hormone injections every day. The injection is a further stimulation of the ovaries to release more mature eggs. Some women experience strong side effects to hormones. So, women who first undergo this treatment are generally monitored closely to ensure the process goes smoothly.
You may also be given progesterone, a hormone that thickens the uterine wall in preparation for IVF
Step 4. Give the egg
The wife's body is stimulated to release more eggs, and regular ultrasound examinations are used to determine when the eggs are ready to be released. When the egg is mature, the doctor will perform a simple and minimally invasive surgical procedure to remove the egg. Most women can resume normal activities within a day or so after this procedure.
Even though the wife is sedated, this procedure is sometimes still uncomfortable. Usually, doctors prescribe painkillers to reduce it
Step 5. Give the egg to be fertilized
If the husband does not have a stash of sperm samples ready to use, now he must provide it. Husband's sperm is processed to separate the healthiest sperm with the highest quality, and combined with the egg. In about a day, the egg will be checked to see if it has been fertilized or not.
As with other artificial methods, in this case, the husband also needs to avoid ejaculation for approximately 48 hours before giving sperm
Step 6. Let the embryo undergo a biopsy
After the embryo has grown for a few days, the doctor will separate some cells for testing and analysis. DNA is separated from each cell sample and duplicated via a process called polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Then, this DNA is analyzed to determine the genetic profile of the embryo, including the sex of the baby likely to grow from the embryo.
Step 7. Make a decision based on the test results
After the cells from each embryo are analyzed, you will be told which embryos are male and which are female, as well as other important information (such as the presence of genetic diseases).
Step 8. Go through the IVF procedure
After selecting the embryo to be collected, the embryo is transferred into the uterus via a small tube that is inserted into the cervix. Usually, only one or two embryos are transferred at a time. If these attempts are successful, one or more embryos will attach to the uterine wall and the pregnancy will develop as usual. In two weeks, you can take a pregnancy test to see if the IVF procedure was successful.
Don't despair if the first IVF attempt doesn't work. In general, the success rate ranges from 20–25%. Success rates of 40% and above are quite rare. Healthy couples need to undergo several times of PGD and IVF to get the desired results
Method 4 of 4: Using Unproven Methods
Step 1. Maximize sperm count by increasing male sperm
Male sperm is thought to be weaker, but faster than female sperm. There is an assumption that if the number of sperm increases, it is more likely that the male sperm will reach the egg first. Try following these suggestions:
- Sperm production is highest when the testes are slightly cooler than body temperature. Husbands should avoid hot showers or hot laptops on their laps.
- Don't smoke or drink alcohol. Men who smoke and drink a lot tend to produce less sperm. If you have trouble breaking the habit, talk to your doctor.
- Do not use drugs because they can reduce sperm production.
- Avoid certain medications. There are several types of drugs that affect male fertility. Talk to your doctor if you have any of these concerns.
Step 2. Have sexual intercourse close to the ovulation date, if possible
In general, you should have sex 24 hours before ovulation and 12 hours after ovulation. During that time, the chances of conceiving a boy will be greater because the male sperm is thought to reach the egg faster.
- Avoid sex in the days leading up to ovulation. There is an assumption that avoiding sex for a while will make sperm more concentrated.
- To find your ovulation date, count approximately 2 weeks before your next period. You can also buy ovulation test kits at pharmacies.
Step 3. Increase your intake of calcium and magnesium
Some people claim that they succeeded in conceiving a boy by changing their diet. If you want to try, eat foods that contain lots of calcium. Try milk, yogurt, and green leafy vegetables. You can increase your magnesium intake by eating almonds, bananas, and tofu.
Consult your doctor before making any changes in your diet
Step 4. Cut down on sodium and potassium
Although there is no scientific backing, you can increase your chances of conceiving a boy with dietary changes. Cut down on sodium by limiting your consumption of foods such as French fries, chips, and bottled gravy.
- You can reduce potassium by limiting your consumption of chickpeas, cantaloupe, and beetroot.
- Remember that dietary changes have not been shown to increase the chances of conceiving a boy.
Step 5. Consider taking cough syrup before sex
It is possible that the ingredients in cough syrup can thin the lining of the cervix, making it easier for male sperm to pass through. Follow the dosage as directed and take it right before sex.
Make sure you don't take cough syrup for longer than recommended on the package without consulting your doctor
Step 6. Use frankincense to create a friendly environment for male sperm
This herb has long been used in Chinese medicine as a tonic for the ovaries and uterus. Frankincense can help the body absorb more nutrients. Thus, the environment inside the uterus will be more hospitable to male sperm which is not as strong.
- Visit alternative medicine stores and herbalists to inquire about frankincense.
- Make sure you ask your doctor before trying a new essential oil.
