Conference moira::parenting

    Yes, I have heard of it and I would like to see the pamphets!!  A
    friend of mine saw an article in a Family Circle many years ago.  She
    followed the suggestion for conceiving and boy (and prayed alot) and
    low and behold a boy was born 9 months later.  (He is now 8 yrs old.)
    
    This is an all natural process - it has to do with timing (your cycle
    and his sperm count), and environment (your body's acidic climate),
    etc.  There should be no "drugs" incvolved.  It is not 100%, but it at
    least stacks the odds in your favor.
    
    I would be interested in the article.  Is there one specifically for
    male and female or will the article cover both?
    
    We have two boys (ages 5 and 7) and I told my husband until the odds at
    gender selection are a little better, I'll stick with my two lovelies!
    
    -sandy
    

    Yes, the pamphlet covers both boy and girl. If you would like, I can
    copy them when she sends them to me and I will mail you a copy.
    
    Sandy
    

    Sandy,
    
    We wanted a baby real bad, and hoped to have a girl, so we followed the
    recipe.  I have other friends who did the same, and we all had our
    hopes realized.  
    
    I did it with a passive attitude (a BABY was all that was *really*
    important) but my husband insisted we would have the girl of our
    dreams and I spent my entire pregnancy (all 26 weeks of it ;^)) trying to
    get him used to the possibility of a boy.  Now as I write this, I
    wonder if that stress may have contributed to early delivery???
    
    Anyway, if you decide on a second, I wish you luck for a healthy happy 
    child regardless of its sex!
    
    
    -beth 
    

    I would also be interested in finding out more about this.  We have
    been trying for #2 and I would just love to have a girl.  I do agree
    though with what others said, a healthy baby is the most important.
    
    Kathy

    
    There is a book out called (not sure if this is right), "How to choose
    the sex of your Baby"....I'm sure it must be in most big bookstores.
    A friend of mine lent it to me when we were trying to concieve. Its a
    very informative book, and supposedly, if I'm not mistaken, if followed
    correctly, the chances are something like 80% for boys, 50% for girls.
    Its easy to read, and easy to follow.
    
    I didn't put alot of faith into it, but, we did follow a few of the key 
    points, (such as frequency and position) hoping for a boy, and low and
    behold....a boy! 
    
    The friend that lent me the book "sort of" followed the steps too, and
    she got her choices.   Makes you wonder!
    
    I suggest the book to anyone who even has the slightest interest in
    determining the gender.  Its informative reading either way.
    
    Chris
    (I remember the cover was white, soft cover, Blue writing?)
    

    As I understand, sperm carrying the y chromosome are faster but die
    quickly and those with the x swim slowly but can survive 48 hours.  So,
    without dicussing the scientific details:
    
    Having sex 24-48 hours before ovulation will keep those female sperm
    alive till the egg arrives.
    
    Having sex after ovulation will allow those fast swimming boys to
    reach the destination before time runs out for them! 

    I agree that timing is important.  I read the article in Family Circle
    and tried to follow the advice for a boy for my second pregnancy, but 
    since I have very sporatic menstral cycles (I menstrate anywhere from 6 
    to 10 wks) I was not able to predict ovulation. I could tell after I had 
    ovulated since I kept a ovulation chart using the basil (sp?) body 
    temperature method.  I could always tell because temperature would rise
    24 hours after ovulation.  I did not have the temperature "dip" that
    would come before ovulation.  When I got pregnant I knew right away when 
    conception happened.  We had sex two days prior to ovulation and I 
    predicted I would have a girl and I did.
    
    I would like to see the pamphlet you get to see if there is anything
    different I could try because I would love to have a boy.  
    
    Three girls would be ok, but imagine the wedding bills I would have.
    
    Angie       
    

    
    You can use the ovulation predictor kits out to help. I 
    think thats easier than temperatures, etc...
    
    I remember for a boy the man should not have sex for 3-4
    before trying and do it only once.
    
    FOr girls have the man have very frequent sex - lowers
    sperm count and slows down. Plus do before ovulation or
    way after.
    
    Girls - women have orgasm after man
    Boys  - women have orgasm before the man.
    
    There is more too.... like drinking coffee.
    
    Let us know if your pamphlet agrees because there are 2 theories
    I hear.
    

    I also would like a copy of the pamphlet. We have a little 11 month
    old girl. But would like to have (if possible) a boy there are 6
    granddaughters on both sides. A grandson would be nice! and I'm
    the only one left who would be having another baby.
    
    Thanks 
    Linda
    

    
    This may clash with some of the other tips, but, here's what I
    remember. 
    
    The male sperm are smaller and faster. The female sperm are bigger and
    slower. Therefore, the male sperm can get up to the ovary sooner, but if
    ovulation has not occurred yet, they can die out before the egg pops
    through. Whereas the female sperm take longer to get up there, but can
    outlive the male sperm in the waiting process. 
    
    I don't know about doing it more frequently to have a girl, because, 
    although the sperm count may be lower, there will still be male sperm
    in there that may reach the egg first. 
    
    Also, position was a factor, if I remember correct, military position
    or similar for a girl: less direct route, female sperm are stronger and
    can make the journey. Woman on top, or doggie style for a boy: more
    direct route, better penetration.
    
    Most of this was based on already establishing your ovulation cycle
    through a basal thermometer.
    
    I thought it was something like: 2-3 days before ovulation for a girl, 
    the day before, day of, or day after ovulation for a boy. (making love
    that is).
    
    Its been a year since I read the book, but...I'm fairly sure these are
    some of the things described. 
    
    Chris
    

    
    I have one of those First Response ovulation kits at home. I will
    probably use it when the time comes. Also, for those of you who would
    like a copy of the pamphlet, send me your mailing address through
    e-mail and I will send you a copy. 
    
    I have to say, reading the replies that have said it was successful,
    that's great! Boy my husband is going to be in his glory when he hears 
    that. He wants a boy soooo bad!
    
    Keep the replies coming!
    Sandy

    >military position or similar for a girl: less direct route, female spe
    
    What's the military position?? I missed that one, I guess! ;-)
    
    Mike

re .5:

>                                           if I'm not mistaken, if followed
>    correctly, the chances are something like 80% for boys, 50% for girls.

Are you saying that if you want a girl, and you follow the instructions,
you have a 50% chance?  I'm not impressed.

Military, missionary, what's the difference?

    I just couldn't resist...
    
    Chinese says if your baby's first word is "Mom Mom", your will
    have a girl next time.  If your baby's first word is "Dad Dad", you
    will have a boy next time.  My son's first word was "Mom Mom",
    my daughter was born 2 years later.  My daughter's first word
    was "Dad Dad".  I will let you know the result, if I ever have 
    another one.
    
    Wendy 

    RE 15
    
    My daughter's (#1) first words were DAD DAD and I have two girls. #2 is
    only 6 mos.  I wonder what her first word will be.
    
    Oh well.
    
    Angie

    
    Re: .14
    
    Thanks for the clarification.... Guess I meant "missionary" position.
    
    

    My daughter's first word was "kitty"!  8-O  :-)
    
    Leslie

    I have also read that "male" sperm survive better in a slightly basic
    environment, while "female" sperm favor a slightly acidic environment.  
    (I hope I have this straight, and it's not the reverse.)  Hence,
    douching with baking soda or vinegar stacks the odds.  
    
    I've also heard from an OB/GYN (that I did not like) that sexual
    infrequency favors girls.
    
    Take this for what it's worth.  I didn't pay any attention to any
    gender selection stuff and had two girls.  Apparently, I used the same
    modus operendi with the second that had been successful with the first.
    
    LZP
    
    PS - I also remember seeing "gender selection kits" at the pharmancy
    family planning section.  The box said 80% probability of the gender of
    choice.  Given the price of the kit, it's only improving the odds by
    30%.  

    re.19
    
    The environment acid vs base is also tied in with orgasm.
    Boy does better with base - so women has orgasm first and
    vice versa.
    
    Also male drinks black coffee just before for boy - speeds
    up sperm so the books says. SOUNDS real romantic ;-)
    
    

    
    
    The book "How to choose the sex of your baby" the odds of having a 
    girl where higher than a boy, according to the book.
    
    Lisa 
    

    
    Well, I have recieved many replies through e-mail for copies of the
    pamphlet. It seems it will take me days to send them all out to those of
    you who requested them. So, I will probably post it here in parenting
    intead. Look for it here next week after the holiday. Sorry, for the
    inconvenience of having you all send me your mailstops, but I didn't
    realize I would get so many replies.
    
    
    Thanks                                  
    Sandy

    I remember seeing this in the old parenting notes file, but haven't
    been able to find it since.  I think Cal Hoe is the one who originally
    wrote the note about Chinese Conception Chart.
    
    I remember it went something like this:
    
          18   19   20   21   22   23   24
    
    jan	   b    b    g   b    g    b    b
    
    feb    g    g    g   g    b    g    b
    
    
    Do you get my meaning?  Does anyone have a copy of this chart anywhere? 
    I can remember that 9 out of 10 people I compared the chart to, came
    out correct.  I think it's pretty neat.
    
    If someone has this chart could you please post it here?!
    
    Thanks,
    Gail

    re: .23
    
    I don't have a copy of that chart, but if I remember correctly, didn't
    it have something to do with your age at the time of conception and to
    which month you conceived?
    
    Lori B.

    

To the woman's conception age, add one year since Chinese society
count the child as age 1 at birth; ie, year 0 begins at
conception.

		Will the Baby be a Boy or a Girl?


 C       	     Woman's Conceiving Age
 o
 n      1 1 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 4 4 4 4 4 4
 c      8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5
 e  Jan g b g b g b b g b g b g b b b g b b g b g b g b g b b g
 p  Feb b g b g b b g b g b g b g g g b g b b g b g b g b g b b
 t  Mar g b g g b g b b b g b g g b b b b g b b g b g b g b g b
 i  Apr b g b g g b b g g b g g g g g b g b g b b b b g b g b g
 o  May b g b g b b g g g g g b g g g g g g b g b b g b g b b g
 n  Jun b b b g g g b b b g g b g g g g g g g b g g b g b g b g
    Jul b b b g g b b g g b b b g g g g g g g g b g b b g b g b
 M  Aug b b b g b g g b b b b b g g g b g b g b g b g b b g b g
 o  Sep b b b g g b g b g b b b g g g g g g b g b g b g b b g b
 n  Oct b b g g g b g b g b b g g g g g g g b b g b g b g b b g
 t  Nov b g b g g b g b g g g g b g g g b b b g b g b g b b g b
 h  Dec b g b g g g g b g b g g b b b b b b b b g g g b g b g b

 	b=boy   g=girl

CHART EXPLANATION

You can decide for yourself whether you will have a boy or a girl
by following this chart. The woman's age from 18 to 45 (Chinese
reckoning is that age 1 is at time of her birth) is the top
line while the months Jan to Dec is the month the baby is conceived.
By following the chart, you will be able to tell, in advance, whether
your baby will be a boy or a girl.

By following the column down for the woman's age to the row for the
month the baby was conceived, the gender of the baby can be determined.
For example, a 27 year old woman conceived her baby in January
(according to the Chinese Lunar calendar, beginning the first new moon
in January of the Julian Calendar); her baby will be a girl.

This chart, designed by a Chinese scholar, was discovered in an Emperor's
tomb near Bejing, China. The original chart resides in the Institute of
Science of Bejing. The accuracy of the chart has been proven by
thousands of people and is believed to be 99% accurate.

Carol,

Thanks for entering the chart.  I had printed the orginal note enterd by
Cal in 1988.  I was going to enter it but didn't have the exact description
of how to read the chart.

For me, the chart was correct for my first and if the ultrasound is right, it 
will also be correct for my second.  So that's 100% for me.

Barbara 

The chart says to pick the month by the start of the new moons.  My calendar
doesn't list moon phases.  Does anyone know when there was a new moon in the
Dec/Jan timeframe?

> conceived her baby in January (according to the Chinese Lunar calendar, 
> beginning the first new moon in January of the Julian Calendar)

    
    
    Hmmm... this worked for my first.... I'll let you know in about a month
    if it's 100% or 50%
    
    
    

It correctly predicts my first as a boy but my second boy it predicts as a girl.

    
    It was right for me........100%
    HMMMM
    

    The chart was 100% for my two girls. I remember reading the chart when I 
    was pregnant with no 2 and wondering if it would be right.
    
    Angie

    
    Another positive response...
    
    I had the boy it predicted.
    
    Chris
    

    Just checked the chart for my kids..... 
    
    Brent Erik should be Kirsten Ann
    
    and
    
    Sarah Jane should be Devon Josef
    
    Oh well, never did say I could do things right!!!!  ;^}
    
    M-L

    Are all of you adding one year to your age at conception?  If I add a
    year, it's only 50% right.  If I don't add a year, it's 100% right.
    
    Just curious!
    

Well, it's 50% right for me, but then, I have boy-girl twins, so it had to be
half right.

    Wrong for me....it says mine should be a girl...
    
    Kristen

    Any word on when the pamphlet will be posted?? I know everyone is busy
    doing their thing, this is just a friendly reminder.
    
    Thanks,
    
    Linda

    Well, I got in the mail yesterday. I will try to post it this week. It
    is very long but I will do my best. It seems when I read it, that is
    says just about everything everyone else said. But I will post it
    anyway as soon as I can, (kind of been busy):)
    
    Sandy           
     

    In terms of the BBT methode below, you should read up on this in your
    pregnancy books to better understand how to take your temperature every
    month, the pamphlet did not explain how to go about this. Also, this is 
    just for conceiving a boy.
    
    How to conceive a boy:
    In terms of the BBT method you should have intercourse between the
    morning on which you observe what you believe to be the last low
    temperature and the morning on which you note the marked rise in
    temperature.(To be sure you can pinpoint the time of ovulation, use the 
    temperature method for 3 full cycles before trying to conceive.)
    Your best chance of conceiving a boy is when intercourse is timed as
    close as possible to the shift from peak mucus back to thicker,cloudier
    mucus. Ovulation may actually occur sometime before rather than at the
    time the mucus shifts back, so we don't recommend having intercourse
    for a boy after this shift is noted. Also, once the mucus changes it
    will be more difficult for male producting sperm to get to the egg
    first.
    
    When you believe you are within four or five days of ovulation, abstain
    from intercourse so that the sperm count increases. Then have
    intercourse on the day of suspected ovulation and on that day only.
    Thereafter go back to using a condom..
    
    Keep cool. When trying to concieve a boy, men should try not to wear
    tight jockey shorts, insulated underwear,jockstraps or take hot
    baths-all of which raise the temperature of the testes and reduce the
    sperm count. Heat kills both the X and the Y sperm, but kills the
    smaller weaker Y sperm first. Be aware too that any form of
    stress,prolonged illness even a bout of the flu, radiation and many
    prescription drugs as well as habitual use of marijuana can lower sperm
    count.
    
    Other factors: For a boy the man should try for deep penetration. This
    will help deposit the sperm close to the cervix. Vaginal penetration
    from the rear also helps ensure that the sperm are deposited near the
    opening of the cervix. Although optional, a man may try drinking a
    couple cups of strong coffee 15 to 30 min. before having
    intercourse.Some researchers believe this gives extra speed to the male
    producing sperm. Long term heavy use of coffee is not recommended. It
    is believed that up to 85% of all couples will succeed in conceiving
    males if they determine the time of ofulation and follow all
    instructions.
    
    Sorry I don't have any info on trying for a girl, the DR. sent me info
    for a boy only.
    
    Good luck to all who attempt this!
    Sandy

    If you want help in predicting your day of ovulation, try enrolling in
    a course in Natural Family Planning.  This will teach you how to read
    the mucus so you know when ovulation is approaching.  It's much more
    reliable than the temperature because mucus appears before ovulation
    and the temperature rise occurs at the time of ovulation.
    
    An added bonus here is that once you learn NFP, you don't need any
    artificial methods of contraception and NFP when practiced correctly
    is 98-99% effective at preventing pregnancy.
    
    							John

    echoing .40....my wife and I used NFP for almost 2 years to
    successfully avoid pregnancy. Once we were ready to have a baby, the
    predictions couldn't have been more accurate -- we achieved pregnancy
    the first time out (and we've been married for 12.5 years so we've been
    avoiding for a looong time so this was no fluke!) NFP is wonderful.
    Our first child is due Christmas day.
    
    Mike

    
    Where did you take this Natural Family Planning course?

    St. Joseph's Hospital in Nashua offers the course on a regular basis.
    
    Fees are based on your income and do not exceed $20 per class.
    
    Mike

    We first took it at St. Elizabeth's Hospital in Boston.  I believe it
    was $60 per couple for 5 or 6 classes.  This was OK but we have since
    found a better way.
    
    There is an organization known as the Couple to Couple League which is
    made up of couples who practice and teach NFP.  We met a wonderful
    couple in Worcester who teach NFP.  They usually charge a one time fee
    of $25 and you meet with them for as long as it takes to learn the
    method.  The money is quite flexible and no one would be turned away if
    they could not afford it.
    
    So, any one who is interested, you may send me mail and I will give you
    the name and number of this couple in the Worcester area.  If you live
    some place else, then the best way to find out about NFP classes is to
    contact the Family Life Office for the Catholic diocese in which you
    live.  If you aren't Catholic or don't know what diocese you live in,
    you could try asking at a local church.
    
    Just for information, there are 4 dioceses in MA:  Boston, Worcester,
    Fall River, and Springfield.  In NH, I believe there is only one: 
    Manchester.  Someone correct me if I'm wrong.
    
    							John

    I understand, also, that Dr. Faraci (OB/GYN) in Nashua teaches
    NFP. I can't vouch for his methods, however.
    
    Mike

   I read all the replies in this string in hopes of gaining information	
   on influencing my chances of having a girl.  Somebody typed in 
   something from a pamplet on having a boy but nothing for a girl.
   Anybody still got that pamplet around that could post the information
   or mail it to me?

   I'm also interested in the acidic environment theory.  I heard that
   your diet influences your bodies acidity.  I eat alot of tomatoes
   and drink alot of orange juice so my Ph must be more acidic thus
   increasing the chances of a boy.  I'll stop eating tomatoes and
   oranges if this means I can influence my bodies Ph.  Anybody else
   know what other foods are more acidic than base?

   Karen

	P.S.. Am I right... acidic = boys, base = girls?

   

    Karen,
    
    what I heard is that an acidic environment is more conducive to
    girl-type sperm getting through.  
    
    There is a book out on choosing the sex of your baby.  I don't know the
    author's name.  
    
    Meg

    The following is an article from a doctors office magazine:
    By Dr. Landrum B shuttles, M.D. Ph.D 
    
    Here is the information for a girl:
    The procedure fora girl is a bit trickier for a girl than a boy. For a
    girl, you will time intercourse for 3 full days before ovulation.
    Therefore, knowing the time of ovulation is crucial. For this reason
    the success rate for couples who want girls is slightly lower than that
    of couples who want boys.
    
    First, determine your time of ovulation using BBT and CM methods for at
    least 3 cycles before you try to conceive. Do not select a cycle for
    conception in which temperature readings are erratic. Wait untill a
    pattern is clearly established. You should use both condom as
    contraception during both the practice and the actual cycles, as it
    will keep the vagina free of seminal fluid.
    
    In terms of your CM, you should have intercourse regularly up untill 4
    days before your last peak day.Which is likely to be the day of
    ovulation. If this does not result in pregnancy, try having intercourse
    up untill 3 days before during your next 2 cycles. When using BBT
    regard the last low temp. before the sustained rise as the probable tim
    of ovulation. It may actually occur a little later, but to begin with,
    schedule your last intercourse 4 days prior to that marked rise. For
    example: If you regularly record this last low temp on day 14 of your
    cycle, schedule your last day of intercourse for day 10. If you don't
    conceive on that schedule, you may want to move to day 11.
    
    THE ACIDITY FACTOR
     
    Although not absolutely essential, Dr. Shettles continues to beleive
    that douching does increase your chances for success. For the girl
    he recommends a vaginal douche consisting of 1 tbls. of white distilled
    vinegar to a pint of lukewarm water. Use in a hot water bottle type of
    applicator and let the fluid flow under the force of gravity alone.
    There is no need to use the douche when you are timing the last
    intercourse for four or three and a half days prior to ovulation.
    Your own secretions are likely to be acidic enough at that point.(when
    you CM is still thick and somewhat cloudy it tends to be more acidic
    than alkaline) At 2 and a half days prior to ovulation you may consider
    to douche just before intercourse.
    
    A woman should try not to have an orgasm if she is attempting to
    conceive a girl. Female orgasm increases the flow of alkaline
    secretions aiding the male producing sperm. And the contractions help
    propel the sperm up and into the cervics, also giving greater
    assistance to the faster male sperm.
    
    It is beleives that up to 80% of all couples who correctly determine
    the time of ovulation and follow these instructions carefully will
    succeed in conceiving girls.
     
    
    

    I was reading through this note, and all the folks interested in
    trying to influence the sex of the babies. 
    Anybody got any followup success stories? 
    
    (BTW, I checked the Chinese calendar, and Nope, wrong on both counts.)
    
    I am interested by the way, because I wish to have a boy for our 
    next child, and since it turns out some of the things we did turned 
    out to be things that influence a girl last time.... voila! Charlotte.
    (i.e. I eat a lot of acidic foods, we tried for several days in a row,
    and Alan hates coffee 8-) 8-)  )
    
    (gotta tell him the bad news! "Drink up Alan, I want a boy!)
    
    Monica
    

    Monica,
    
    I hadn't heard about a man drinking coffee influencing the sex towards
    a boy.  In our case it definitely didn't work, my husband doesn't have
    blood flowing through his veins, he has Chock Full of Nuts with a
    little cream and one sugar. 8^)  Before he leaves the house in the
    morning he's had 4 cups of coffee!  Sarah is one week older than
    Charlotte.
    
    I did eat a lot of acidic foods and we did try several days in a row.
    I was sure I was having a boy until about 2 weeks before Sarah was born
    and then for some strange reason I knew it was a girl.  I think it was
    the Media influence (Media is the name of my husband's garage band). 
    There are 4 guys who play in the band, we are the last ones to have a
    baby, the other 3 all have 2 children each and they are all girls! 
    After Sarah was born I told them they needed to rename the band to The
    X Chromosomes.  Hmmm, maybe you should make sure Alan doesn't play in
    any bands....
    
    Susan
    

    
    
    Monica,
    
    Where can I find the Chinese calendar?  I used to have it
    and it was correct for my son.  I also figured it was 
    correct for my Mother when she had me.   I am curious what
    for what it says this time.
    
    To have a boy, I read to have alot of potasium in your diet.
    
    Jeanne
       
    
    

    re: .51  Look at 123.25

    
    
    here's something weird. I'm one of those people who read *everything*
    in the rag we call a newspaper in Colorado Springs.
    
    Looking at the birth announcements there is a pattern. The two civilian
    hospitals run about 80/20 girl/boys. By contrast the Amry hospital is
    the other way, 20/80 girls/boys.
    
    Go figure!
    
    Simon

    Susan,
    While Alan doesn't play in a band, 8-), he has very good friends who
    married three years and two years before we did.
    In 1990 All three of the women became pregnant. I was due in May,
    Kelsey in June and Rossana in July (how's that for follow the leader!).
    Well, I lost my boy in the eight month, but the other two went on
    to have girls (this WAS a bit difficult for us at the time...)
    
    We had Charlotte a year later, now all three of the men kid each other
    about all having little girls!
    
    Monica

    Pardon me for being cynical, but if the Chinese calendar works so well,
    why is the boy/girl birthrate nearly even in China, when couples may
    have only one child, and everyone wants a boy???
    
    L

    Well, the pamphlet I posted in here a few replies about concieving a
    boy or girl worked for us. We followed the info not completely but as
    far as making love as close to the time or on the time of ovulation as
    possible. It says you will concieve a boy....baby #2 (boy) is on the
    way, due Aug 3rd!!
    
    
    Sandy
    

    Good for you!!!!
    When you say as close to ovulation did you check the temperature? or
    do you know other wise? 
    I always get severe cramps AROUND that time, but I am not sure if this
    pain signals ovulation, or if it is a sign of it beginning or ending...
    
    M.

Of course, any method of influencing the sex of a baby will work about half
the time.

>Of course, any method of influencing the sex of a baby will work about half
>the time.

	Untrue, don't confuse the chances of either gender (i.e. 50/50) with
	that of producing the desired gender.
	

    re:57
    
    I used the ovulation predictor kit. I am very regular and I usually
    ovulate around the 14 day of my cycle. And going by the ovulation kit, I 
    hit it just right. 
    
    Sandy

    what's an ovulation predictor kit?
    
    Monica

re .59:

Huh?  If you want a boy, there's about a 50% chance you'll get what you want.
Likewise if you want a girl.  Are there any possibilities I've missed?

>re .59:
>Huh?  If you want a boy, there's about a 50% chance you'll get what you want.
>Likewise if you want a girl.  Are there any possibilities I've missed?

 The above is true, however, if you add to the equation the numerous ways
 of influencing the gender, and follow them meticulously, you have a much
 better than 50/50 chance. You've restated what I said in .59, a 50/50 chance,
 I read your original reply as having a 50/50 chance while trying to influence
 the gender.

 Besides, population figures would indicate that the odds are slightly in favor
 of having girls.

    How about families that seem to favour girls or boys? - My husband's
    grandmother was the only girl (and the oldest) she had 12 (!) brothers.
    Is this a case where the male sperm count favours one type over the
    other?
    
    Monica

Last I heard, slightly more boys than girls are born, but slightly more
girls survive infancy.

Half the people who use some ineffective method of influencing sex
will believe that it's effective because they got the desired result.

There was a scam several years ago where a guy would sell you a little
bottle of pink water if you wanted a girl and a little bottle of blue
water if you wanted a boy.  His price was fairly low (a few dollars)
and he had a money-back guarantee.  Very few people asked for their
money back -- they either forgot about it, didn't really care about it,
or (half the time) got what they wanted.

>    Is this a case where the male sperm count favours one type over the
>    other?
    
     The sperm count per se has nothing to do with it.

    Well, let's see...My husband fathered two boys, is #2 of two boys and
    has 3 uncles from his fathers side.  My husband's brother had two
    girls.  Of the 4 boys born in my f-i-l family, one had two girls, one
    had two boys, one had one of each, and the other had 3 of each.  Sounds
    pretty evened out to me.
    
    My mother is the daughter of an only daughter.  She had 5 sisters and
    3 brothers.  She gave birth to three girls.  Of those three girls, she
    has 2 grandaughters from one daughter, two grandsons from another
    daughter and soon to be one of each from the third.
    
    However, on my mother's side she has a sister who had three boys one of
    whom produced 4 sons, one of whom produced one of each and one of whom
    hasn't produced yet 8^)
    
    Not much of a trend going here!
    
    -sandy
    

re: .64
 
 >   How about families that seem to favour girls or boys? - My husband's
 >   grandmother was the only girl (and the oldest) she had 12 (!) brothers.
 >   Is this a case where the male sperm count favours one type over the
 >   other?

No, it's (probably!) another example of the axiom "Probability has no 
memory."

If you have flipped a coin 12 times and it has come up heads all twelve 
times, the probability that a 13th flip will result in a "head" is .5 -- 
exactly the same as the probability that it will come up a "tail."

The probability that your next 13 flips will be HHHHHHHHHHHHT is 
astronomically small, but no smaller than the probability that it will be  
any other specific combination, such as HTHTHTHTHTHTH or TTTTTTTTTTTTH.

The probability that your next 13 flips will be 12 H's and one T is very 
small, but no smaller than the probability of 12T's and one H.

Clay

    
    	Well, my mother thinks it all makes sense... she had five girls,
    	all five unplanned, and 4 of the 5 conceived when trying to 
    	*avoid* ovulation... of course, it's better to use a predictor
    	other than the calendar :-)
    
    	I know of two people that this worked for (conceived boys by
    	targeting ovulation), and at least one that it did not work for.
    	That one person had a particulary difficult time targeting
    	ovulation, as her cycle was widely varied from month to month.
    
    	(PS: Of the four girls in my family that have children so far,
    	we've got 6 girls and 2 boys.)
    
    	Karen

    re:61
    
    Monica, an ovulation predictor kit is simalar to a home pregnancy test.
    The test measures the hormone in urine that surges 12 to 48 hrs. before
    ovulation. Results appear 15 minutes to an hour. Because a womans
    ovulation schedule can vary, the test should be repeated over
    consecutive days. I took the test 2 days in a row, twice the first day
    once in the morning then again at night, the first test I did was pale pink
    the second light purple. The color that shows up when your surging is deep 
    purple and that tells you that you should have intercourse. That color
    showed up the following morning.
    
    The usefulness of these kits is great for couples having trouble
    conceiving or who want to time the pregnancy, the test pinpoints a
    womans peak fertility in order to increase chances of conception.
    Accuracy, is considered fairly accurate, but the success rate goes up
    if the test is used more than once a day. But that can get very
    expensive. The test I bought was $28.00 for 6 days of testing. They
    range from $20 to $60 for a six or nine day test.
    
    I read up alot on these before I decided to use one, can you tell?
    
    Sandy
                                            
    
    
    

    
    
    We are going to be trying for #3, and would really like to have a boy
    (we have two girls now).  I have been charting my temperature and we
    have a really good idea of when I ovulate.  What I am wondering is,
    does anybody know about the base environment that is supposed to be
    helpful in conceiving a boy.  I know that a solution of baking soda and
    water is used, but how often and when.  
    
    Should it be used several days before what is thought to be ovulation,
    or just once?  I would think maybe a couple days before, but I'm not
    sure if it would be necessary?  Anybody out there with any information
    on this?
    
    
    		Robin

    Robin,
    
    This isn't what you're asking for but .... my previous daycare lady had
    2 daughters and DESPARATELY wanted a son.  She's a bit of a health nut,
    so when I told her about this string of notes, she found it quite
    interesting (I'm a junk-food junky w/ 3 sons (-;).  So, when they
    decided they were ready, she decided to give it a whirl.  She FORCED
    herself to eat junky food, lots of chocolates and sweets, fried foods
    etc, while they were 'trying'.  It took her 2 mos to get pregnant, and
    she felt AWFUL eating that junky food, BUT ALAS, they have a beautiful
    baby boy.  Maybe just a coincidence .... ?  Oh - and Dad has another
    daughter from a previous marriage, so he's definitely prone to having
    girls.
    
    So, grab a chocolate bar while you're 'waiting', and see if that helps
    (-;
    
    Good Luck!

    read note 123.48.
    
    -s
    

    
    
    Thanks for the pointer.  I had read most of the notes in here, but
    because it was tips for a girl pregnancy I didn't bother.  Thanks
    again.
    
    
    		Robin

    I just found the book title "How to Choose the Sex of Your Baby"  the
    author is Dr. Landrum B. Shettles, M.D., Ph.D., and David M. Rorvik. 
    The copyright is March 1989.  
    
    The book discusses how to have a girl and how to have a boy.  It also
    explains alot about ovulation.