Boys & Girls: How to Time Your Conception

If you had paid attention in health or biology class, you already know the basics! Every month, approximately every 28 days, a woman’s ovaries release an egg into her fallopian tubes, and if met by sperm the egg is fertilized and pregnancy begins. If you paid extra attention, you might remember that sperm contains x or y chromosomes. The latter resulting in a girl and the former resulting in a boy.

Many couples want to be able to try for a certain gender. Whether it be because they already have a child of the opposite gender or because they would like a specific birth order for the gender. If you are one of these couples, then know that there is an easy to way to conceive a boy or a girl!

Going back to health class, pregnancy is about the x or the y chromosome meeting the egg at a specific time. Remember that the egg is only alive for 24 hours and sperm is only alive for 72. Also keep in mind that y sperm (boys) swim faster but x sperm (girls) live longer.

 

Assuming a 28-day cycle, a woman should start counting from the first day of her last period. Let’s say your last period started on the 31st of January, your ovulation date is likely to be the 13th of February, making that day or Valentine’s Day the perfect time to conceive a boy. Since y sperm swim faster but don’t live as long, having intercourse on ovulation day or the day after (remember the egg only lives 24 hours!) is the best way to get a boy.

 

Going by the same example, if you would like a girl, then having intercourse two days before ovulation day (February 11) would be the best way to conceive a girl, knowing that the x sperm swim slower but live longer (approximately 72 hours).

 

Keeping track of your cycle is the best way to ensure conceiving your intended gender. This can be made easy by using the ovulation calendars online. Keeping track of basal body temperature (it usually rises on ovulation day) is another good way to conceive a boy. Try keeping track of your cycle for around three months to increase the chances!