Boy or girl - can you choose? continued...

Q: If you have an orgasm are you more likely to conceive a boy?

NO

Boy sperm are in fact lighter than girl sperm, so they might swim or surf a little bit faster towards the egg if you have an orgasm, which makes the womb muscles contract in waves. But, there’s no scientific evidence to prove that they are any more likely to fertilise the egg first. If you’re desperate for a boy though, this is one myth there’s no harm in giving a go anyway!

Q: Can sperm quality be affected by wearing tight pants?

YES

Testicles hang outside a man’s body for a reason – because sperm production is best when they are kept below normal body temperature. That’s why men who work in a hot environment, such as welders and fireman, tend to have lower sperm counts. Tight pants hold the testicles so close to the body that sperm production can be lowered. So, if you’re trying for a baby and not getting anywhere, maybe it’s time to get your man to invest in some loose boxer shorts!

Q: Are you more likely to have a boy if your partner has brothers?

NO

It’s true the father does determine the sex of the baby – all women’s eggs contain the X (female) chromosome, but a man’s sperm contains either an X chromosome (which makes a girl) or a Y chromosome (which makes a boy). Whichever one reaches the egg first will determine the sex of your baby.

But sex selection is a completely random process; there’s no evidence that if you or your partner comes from a family with lots of boys it will have any impact on the sex of your baby.

Q: Are boys more often conceived on odd days of the month?

NO

Some people claim that the calendar can help you to conceive a boy or girl. It’s said that boys are best conceived at night on odd calendar days and at the time of quarter moon. Girls, meanwhile, are apparently guaranteed by having sex in the afternoon at the time of a full moon on even calendar days. It may be romantic, but sadly it's all mumbo jumbo.

Q: If you have two boy or two girls, are you more likely to have another on in the next pregnancy?

YES

Statistics suggest that you are 75% more likely to conceive another boy or girl if you already have two of the same sex with your partner. Although sex selection is random, it’s possible that some men simply produce better quality X (female) or Y (male) sperm. So, if you’re on your way to creating your own football team, we’re afraid there might not be much you can do about it!

Q: Can douching the vagina in vinegar after sex help you to conceive a girl?

NO

The theory behind this myth is that vinegar makes the vagina more acidic, which is said to favour female sperm. In practise, all it will do is remove any sperm that are still lurking in the vagina, put you at risk of a vaginal infection and make you smell like a bag of chips!

Next page: Does dipping his penis make a difference?

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