What determines the sex of a child?
To answer this question, we need to take a little closer look at the process of conception and how gender is formed. The fact is that exclusively male reproductive cells – spermatozoa – are responsible for the baby’s gender. They carry X or Y chromosomes. X is a girl and Y is a boy. Female reproductive cells - eggs, carry only female chromosomes, that is, X. It is impossible to somehow influence which sperm gets to the egg first, since this process occurs at the cellular level. You can only choose your gender with IVF.
Scientific medicine refutes the theory that the sex of a baby can be affected by position at the time of conception, diet or some other factors.
Is the father responsible for the gender of the unborn child?
Many couples, when planning their future baby, often think about the possibility of planning its gender. This question is especially relevant in families where there are already children, and the spouses would like to see a child of a different sex born. Today there are many methods for planning the sex of a child, but not all of them are based on scientific knowledge. So what, according to modern medicine, determines the sex of the unborn child?
In fact, everyone knows the answer to this question from a school biology course. All eggs contain an X chromosome, but sperm can contain both an X chromosome and a Y chromosome. Depending on which chromosome the sperm carried, after 9 months a girl (if X chromosome) or a boy (if Y chromosome) will be born.
An interesting fact was established by American doctors back in the 60s of the last century. The behavior of a sperm depends on which chromosome it contains. "X's", for example, are distinguished by their larger sizes, slowness and life expectancy of up to 4–5 days. “Greeks” are more mobile, but, alas, they die faster - within about 48 hours.
This discovery made it possible for future parents to plan the gender of their baby with great success. So, if parents want a boy, then intimacy should occur on the day of ovulation or a day (every other day) after it. Those planning to have a girl should have sex 4-5 days before expected ovulation.
Photo: press service
At the same time, despite the apparent simplicity of conceiving a child of a particular gender, a couple may encounter difficulties. They are often associated with impaired sperm function. In other words, sperm are not motile, vital, or their number is much lower than normal. In these cases, it is better to consult a specialist for advice. For your part, you can help the body, for example, with the help of natural preparations or biologically active substances that improve sperm quality.
Spermatrend is distinguished by a specially selected composition of biologically active substances that have a complex effect on the male body.
In addition to the positive effect on a man’s ability to conceive, Spermatrend as part of complex therapy not only stimulates the process of sperm formation and has a positive effect on male reproductive function, but also helps to harmonize the sexual sphere, and also has a restorative, tonic effect and increases the tone of the body.
How long does it take to see the sex of a baby using an ultrasound?
Ultrasound examination is the most reliable medical method to determine what is in the tummy. In the early stages (approximately 12-16 weeks), using ultrasound, you can guess the baby’s gender based on the so-called genital tubercles. You can find out more accurately who will be born to a woman as early as 20 weeks. Of course, sometimes doctors make mistakes, but this happens extremely rarely, especially if the specialist has many years of experience and uses high-quality equipment.
What is the theory of calculating the sex of a child based on ovulation based on?
How does one conceive a child of the desired sex?
How does one conceive a child of the desired gender? It all depends on the chromosomes that carry the sex cells of the partners. A female egg has two X chromosomes. Sperm are divided into female (X chromosome) and male (Y chromosome). If XX+X merges, a girl will be born, but if XX+Y merges, a boy will be born.
When the follicle ruptures, the egg is released and moves towards the fallopian tubes. It will take her about 4 hours to get into their cavity. The period of activity of the egg is one day, maximum two, and only during this period is it possible to become pregnant.
"Male" and "female" sperm have different characteristics. Male germ cells carrying the X chromosome have a lifespan of about 3–4 days, move at a moderate speed, and are larger in size than their male counterparts. Sperm with a Y chromosome are smaller than their “sisters”; their lifespan is no more than 2 days. Their advantage is speed, because germ cells with an X chromosome are less mobile.
Ovulation is when a mature egg is released from the follicle and sent to the fallopian tubes for fertilization by sperm. Only during the period of vital activity of a mature female reproductive cell is conception possible. Each woman has her own menstrual cycle, which on average lasts about 28 days.
In order to get pregnant with a girl, sexual intercourse should be 3-4 days before ovulation. During this time, all Y chromosomes will disappear. The situation is the opposite if you plan to conceive a boy. In this case, unprotected intercourse should be a day before or better on the day of ovulation. The speed of “boy” sperm gives them an impressive advantage over cells with an X chromosome; they will almost certainly reach the egg first.
Read: Vitamins and pregnancy planning
Methods for determining the sex of a child
Having decided to use one of the unconventional methods of determining the gender of a baby, parents should clearly understand that none of these methods gives a 100% guarantee. Such calculations are most likely a kind of entertainment.
Reviews from moms and dads on this topic are mixed. Someone says that with the help of signs they were able to accurately find out who would be born, a son or a daughter. Others do not trust such tables because they could not determine the sex of the baby.
By blood renewal parents
Some scientists suggest that the sex of the fetus is influenced by the blood of mom and dad. Throughout life, each person's blood is renewed several times. It is believed that in women this process occurs once every three years, and in the stronger sex once every four years. Whichever parent has younger blood at the time of conception will have a child of that gender. This method of calculation is not suitable for women and men who have suffered severe blood loss, surgery or blood transfusion. Calculating who will be born in a family using this method is quite simple. Let's consider an example: dad is 30 years old, and mom is 25. First, we divide the father's age by 4, and the mother's age by 3. We get the following calculations - 30:4=7.5, 25:3=8.3. In this case, the man’s blood turned out to be younger, which means that a boy will presumably be born into the family.
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If during calculations the same number is obtained, a boy or a girl can be born to such a couple with the same probability. In addition, twins may be born.
By blood type and Rh factor
Knowing the blood type of the father and mother, as well as the Rh factor of the partners, you can determine the sex of the baby using a special table. To do this, we compare the parents’ data in the appropriate columns and get the result.
We repeat the same thing with the next plate. Here you need to know the Rh factor of your father and mother. We compare the data and get the answer.
Let's consider an example: a woman has the first blood group with a negative Rh factor, and the father has a second blood group with a positive Rh factor. We compare the data and see that such a family is likely to have a girl.
Budyansky method or cyclic calendar
Female physiology is designed in such a way that from the moment of puberty, all girls begin menstruation. Each woman has her own menstrual cycle length. Its duration, as a rule, is 25028 days, sometimes more or less. Some experts believe that each representative of the fair sex in certain cycles can give birth exclusively to boys or, conversely, only girls. It turns out that it is the female body that influences the sex of the baby.
To calculate the sex of the child, the expectant mother needs to know her date of birth, which will help determine in which cycle she herself was born, as well as the date of conception of the baby. This data is compared with the table.
Let's look at an example: Mommy was born on December 5th. It turns out that she was born in an even monthly cycle. From this it follows that in even-numbered months she will be able to conceive a girl, and in odd-numbered months only a boy. For example, the date of conception of a child is August 15. This is an odd month. This means that a boy will be conceived during this period.
This method of calculating the sex of a baby is not suitable for girls with irregular menstruation, or immediately after childbirth.
Freiman-Dobrotin method
This method of determining gender has proven itself quite well in practice. Many married couples say that this method helped them find out who will be born in the family. First, we calculate the coefficient using the woman’s data. First, we take the mother’s year of birth and the date the child was conceived.
We look at the month of birth and year. Here you need to take into account whether the girl was born in a leap year or a regular year.
Now you need to decide on the date of birth and the number of days in the month.
Now we decide on the year and month of the child’s conception.
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We add to the coefficient the number obtained from the day of conception.
Let's find out the coefficient using the last table.
We think the same for my father. Whichever parent has the higher coefficient, the baby will presumably be of that gender. Let us remind you that this method does not have scientific confirmation and cannot be completely trusted.
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Chinese table
You can calculate who will be born in a family, a son or a daughter, using a Chinese table. You don't need an online calculator or any special knowledge to do this. This table was found about 700 years ago. The Chinese at all costs sought to find out the sex of the baby, because it is no secret that these people preferred to see boys in their family rather than girls. This is due to the fact that parents perceived girls as a source of additional financial expenses, and boys were seen as protectors and helpers. The Chinese calendar is very easy to use. Using it you can plan or find out exactly who will be born to the spouses. To do this, you only need to know how old the mother was at the time the baby was conceived, and you also need to remember the month the child was conceived. These data are compared in a table.
Here D is a girl, and M, respectively, a boy. This is how the Chinese determined who would appear in the family. If a woman does not know the month of conception, it can be determined by her last menstrual period. To do this, you need to add 2 weeks to the first day of your last period. This will be the approximate date of conception.
Like other methods discussed earlier in the article, this one cannot 100 percent accurately determine who is in the stomach. The fact that this method is often wrong is evidenced by reviews from many couples.
Japanese table
The Japanese have their own method that allows them to find out who to expect, a son or a daughter, by the month of birth of the father and mother. In the first form, we compare the months of conception of the father and mother. For example, a girl was born in August, and a man in March. We get the number 12.
Now you need to use the second table. We find the resulting number in it, that is, 12, and also select the month of conception. For example, conception occurred in July.
We see that such a couple is much more likely to have a boy, since there are 5 X’s in this line, and only one in the line with a girl.
With the help of such simple calculations, you can not only find out who will be born in the family during pregnancy, but also plan the gender even before conception.
Calculation of sex by ovulation
Proponents of this theory believe that the sex of children depends on how many days before ovulation they had unprotected intercourse. Let's see how this works in practice. Male sperm differ not only in their chromosomal type. They have different mobility, as well as the ability to survive in the vaginal environment. For example, cells with X chromosomes move more slowly but live longer than sperm with Y chromosomes. Based on this knowledge, many couples calculate the sex of the child.
If you want to conceive a girl, and the day of ovulation according to the calendar is scheduled, for example, on the 15th, you should have sexual intercourse on the 12th-13th. By the 15th, sperm with Y chromosomes will die, and only the male sex cells with X chromosomes will remain in the vagina. Consequently, the chance of conceiving a girl will greatly increase. If a couple wants a son, they should have unprotected sex on the day of ovulation itself.
Expert opinion
Ksenia Dunaeva
User experience expert and comment moderator. Higher medical education and more than 5 years of actual practice.
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A special test helps you find out the day of ovulation, which works on the same principle as most pregnancy tests. In addition, ultrasound helps calculate this day. Of course, this method is not entirely convenient, but it is considered the most accurate. Measuring basal temperature also helps calculate ovulation.
Sex determination according to Vanga
According to data from some sources, the baby’s gender is easily determined using a simple table. This method was developed by Lyudmila Kim, who studied the activities of the seer Vanga for a long time. Here, gender is determined by the woman's age and date of conception. This data is entered into a table, which allows you to get the result.
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For example, a girl was 29 years old at the time of conception, and fertilization itself occurred in January. We look at the sign and see that such a mother should give birth to a girl. The years are located in the left vertical column, and the months in order in the top horizontal line.
By heartbeat
Some experts agree with the theory that the sex of the baby can be determined by counting the heart rate. According to this theory, in girls, the heart beats faster in the womb and the rhythm is approximately 160-140 beats per minute. In boys, the heart rate is usually 120-140 beats per minute.
The sex of the unborn child can be determined right at the time of conception
A little trick and the child will be of the desired gender.
The egg is the carrier of the X chromosome, the feminine principle, figuratively speaking. Sperm - symbolizes the masculine principle. But it can carry both a male Y chromosome and a female X chromosome.
There are approximately equal numbers of “male” and “female” sperm in semen. Which turns the process of finding gender into a kind of toss.
The combination of XX leads to the birth of a girl, and XY - a boy. A girl is born when a sperm with an X chromosome is implanted into an egg. A boy - if in place of the “female” sperm there is a carrier of the Y chromosome.
It was believed that “male” and “female” sperm were no different in appearance. And if so, then it is impossible to separate one from the other. But as Japanese doctors from Hiroshima University in Japan, led by Professor Masayuki Shimada, found out, there is still a difference - in the proteins on the outer shell of sperm and, accordingly, in the genes that encode them.
Having understood one thing, the Japanese selected chemicals that bind exclusively to the membrane proteins of sperm carrying the X chromosome. They “cling” to two of them and slow down their movement. As a result, “male” sperm - carriers of the Y chromosome - reach the egg faster than their artificially inhibited counterparts, are implanted and provide the XY combination, which leads to the conception of a boy.
The sex of the unborn child is determined by the sperm that reaches the egg first.
Experimenting with mice and rats, Masayuki Shimada and his colleagues, using chemical brakes, achieved the birth of male offspring in 90 cases out of 100.
In the future, the Japanese could create some kind of gel that would provide an advantage to carriers of Y chromosomes in the simplest way. It will be enough to smear it on the site of the sperm race. That is, inject into the vagina immediately before sexual intercourse.
Those wishing to have a girl will have a more difficult time. Here you will need to somehow separate the slow - female - sperm from the fast - male. And deliver it closer to the uterus. Or even right into it.
In experiments, such tricks brought success in 81 cases out of 100.
Sperm sorting, of course, has its detractors. They believe that “interference in internal affairs” will lead to demographic imbalance. Especially in countries where boys are preferred over girls. In the sense of offspring.
Some people only want boys. Some people want girls. And some people are generally afraid of pregnancy.
Folk signs and fortune telling
Our great-grandmothers attached great importance to various signs. For example, when pregnancy occurred, the sex of the baby could be determined by the girl’s behavior.
Let's look at a few of these signs:
- It was believed that if the shape of the mother's nose changed, a son would be born.
- You should expect a girl if the girl has a craving for sweets, and a boy if mommy prefers sour and salty foods.
- If in the early stages of pregnancy a girl begins to look worse, wait for a daughter, and if she blossoms, wait for a son.
- When the growth of body hair increased, it was believed that the couple would have a son.
- Dry hands mean the birth of a daughter, wet palms mean a son is born.
- If a woman often overeats, wait for her son.
- Increased sentimentality and tearfulness indicated that there was a baby in the tummy.
- The first movements are heard on the right - there will be a son, on the left - a daughter.
- Boys push more often in the womb at night, while girls move more actively during the day.
In addition, young girls often wondered, trying to find out who to expect first in the family. For example, there was such a ritual: a needle was tied to a thread and held above the wrist. If the needle went in a circle, wait for the daughter; if it moved back and forth, wait for the hero.
Determining the sex of a child using traditional methods
In addition to gender scheduling based on ovulation, there are many folk methods that can significantly increase the likelihood of having a daughter or son. Naturally, their probability will not be so high, but why not try all possible options when it comes to something as important as conceiving a child?
One of the effective ways to determine the gender of the unborn baby is a special diet, which can increase the likelihood of pregnancy with a child of the desired gender. To give birth to a little hero, during the period of pregnancy planning it is worth leaning on red meats, for example, Polish knuckle, nuts, fruits (peaches, apricots and bananas), salty and spicy foods. Due to the high content of elements such as sodium and potassium in these products, they will help create an alkaline environment in the area of the woman’s internal genital organs, which significantly increases the activity of the XY chromosomes.
If you sleep and see a charming daughter in princess outfits, you should more often eat fish, vegetables and fruits (preferably green), dairy and fermented milk products, as well as pumpkin and sunflower seeds. They are rich in magnesium and calcium, which maintain high acidity of the internal environment.
For those who care what gender their child will be, it is also worth listening to folk signs. For example, our ancestors believed that in the heat there is a high probability of conceiving a son, but a daughter is most likely to be conceived in cold weather. The sex of the child can also be influenced by the frequency of sexual intercourse. It is believed that long-term abstinence will help to conceive a son, but those who dream of a daughter should have sex regularly.
Signs indicating the gender of the child during pregnancy
In those days when there was no ultrasound, our ancestors could find out with almost 100% probability who would be born to the expectant mother. It was possible to recognize the gender by special characteristics, which even today work almost flawlessly. For example, a neat, slightly pointed belly indicates that there is a son sitting inside, and if the belly is rounded and the protruding sides are clearly visible, then most likely in a few months a daughter will be born into the family.
Her gastronomic preferences can tell who the future mother will be born to. It is believed that if during pregnancy a woman indulges in spicy and salty foods, this is a sign of the birth of a son. Well, if a pregnant woman leans on dairy products, flour and sweets, she will have a female child.
Let's sum it up
In 2020, fewer and fewer young parents trust various signs and superstitions.
Having enough knowledge about the process of conception and pregnancy, fathers and mothers increasingly trust official medicine and prefer to find out gender using ultrasound. And all these tables are a kind of entertainment for the couple.
