Does your heart melt every time you see a teeny tiny pink frilly tutu?
Of course, it does. That’s why you’re here: you’re wondering how to conceive a girl.
From the Shettles Method to sex positions, read on for some tips.
First, a disclaimer: methods of trying for a boy or a girl don’t guarantee success, and they aren’t always backed by scientific evidence.
But if you’re interested in conceiving a girl, it can’t hurt to try.
And you have a 50% chance either way.
Here are some methods to try for gender selection.
How can I conceive a baby girl naturally?
BellyBelly believes the best outcome is a healthy baby, whether it’s a boy or a girl.
However, we understand couples have their own personal reasons for wanting to try for a baby girl.
It’s also extremely important to note it’s the man’s sperm cells that decide the sex of the baby.
Although various methods suggest things we can do to conceive either a boy or girl, gender selection is ultimately determined by the sperm that reaches the egg.
Once fertilisation has occurred, the sex of the baby has been decided.
How to conceive a girl
Ready to find out how to conceive a girl?
Here are 9 tips to get you started:
How to conceive a girl tip #1: The Shettles Method
The Shettles Method has been used for gender selection since the 1960s. It claims a 75% success rate for couples hoping to conceive a girl.
Dr. Shettles believed the most important factor was timing.
These are the foundations for the claim:
- The baby’s sex is determined by the chromosome-carrying sperm
- Boy sperm swim faster but survive for shorter periods of time than their female producing counterparts
- Girl sperm are stronger and more resilient, but they swim more slowly than boy sperm
- By the time ovulation occurs, only the girl sperm should be left to fertilise the egg.
Important things to note about this method:
- You should have sex two to four days before ovulation if you’re hoping to conceive a girl
- You should avoid intercourse when you have clear, egg white-like vaginal mucus, as this is a sure sign of ovulation.
- Avoiding intercourse during this time can reduce your likelihood of conceiving at all
- It can take longer to conceive any baby with this method
- If you’re content to conceive a boy or a girl, and you don’t conceive within a few cycles, it might be time to give up on gender selection and switch methods.
The Shettles Method boasts some decent anecdotal evidence of success rates.
The theories the method was based upon, however, have been disproved.
This study explains the controversy over Shettles’ original research.
The Whelan Method, an alternative to the Shettles Method, says the opposite might be true.
This method suggests the gender selection of a girl can be achieved by having sex 2-3 days before ovulation.
Timing of intercourse gives you two options to try:
- The Shettles Method
- The Whelan Method
How to conceive a girl tip #2: High tech options
We understand there are reasons why some families hope for a baby of a certain sex.
For those able to conceive naturally, seeking high tech methods of gender selection is often seen as extreme.
However, if you need assistance to conceive, you might consider these options.
Two high tech options for conceiving a girl include:
- IVF with PGT (preimplantation genetic testing). Embryos created through IVF can be genetically tested. This is typically done to check for chromosomal abnormalities but can also provide information about their sex.
- Sperm sorting. This is less invasive than IVF with PGT and can be done prior to an intrauterine insemination (IUI). It’s more likely to produce the desired sex, compared with natural conception, but less likely than PGT.
Both of the above methods are somewhat invasive, often expensive, and not available everywhere.
They’re typically used only by couples who already need high tech reproductive assistance.
How to conceive a girl tip #3: Positions
According to different methods, including the Shettles Method, positioning during sex influences which sperm might reach the egg.
Positioning affects how close to the cervix the sperm cells are ejaculated.
- To conceive a boy, deep penetration during sex is considered to be the key
- For conceiving a girl, shallow penetration is optimal. The missionary position can achieve this by limiting the depth of penetration.
Boy sperm cells swim very fast for short periods before tiring out.
By preventing deep penetration, you might prevent the boy sperm from reaching and fertilising the egg.
How to conceive a girl tip #4: No orgasm
Avoiding orgasm could be key to conceiving a girl, according to some gender selection experts.
The female orgasm releases an alkaline secretion which might help boy sperm to survive longer, by creating a less hostile environment.
Without these secretions, boy sperm cells find it harder to survive and have less chance of reaching the egg.
How to conceive a girl tip #5: More sex
Rather than restricting your sex life to specific times, you should aim to have more sex when you are trying for a girl.
In the days leading up to your key conception time, you should have as much sex as possible.
This will reduce your partner’s sperm count, and mean there are less fast-swimming boy sperm available to join the race for fertilisation.
How to conceive a girl tip #6: What foods help conceive a girl?
According to one study, eating more fruits and vegetables can improve your chances of conceiving a girl.
Some people believe a vegetarian diet can help you to conceive a girl – especially if you eat foods such as spinach, nuts and broccoli.
Choose foods naturally high in calcium and magnesium, such as:
- Leafy greens
- Fruits
- Rice.
These are all said to be good for conceiving girls.
How to conceive a girl tip #7: Acid house
Another food-related tip is to eat acidic foods in the days leading up to ovulation.
Male sperm cells are less able to survive in acidic environments. Evidence suggests eating acidic foods can alter the pH of your vagina.
Bear in mind that it’s unhealthy for your body to be in an acidic state, but if you want to try, stock up on foods such as:
- Soda
- Vinegar
- Chocolate.
Some people believe you should also avoid eating alkaline foods such as:
- Apples
- Almonds
- Cucumbers
- Avocado.
It is more important, though, to have a healthy baby and enough folate in your body to avoid neural tube defects.
How to conceive a girl tip #8: Low salt
If you want to conceive a girl, salt is out.
A low salt diet is said to improve your chances of conceiving a girl.
According to the same research that indicates more fruits and vegetables help conceive a girl, a diet high in sodium and potassium favours male sperm.
You should cut out foods such as:
- Salted meats
- Olives
- Blue cheese
- Processed foods.
It’s important to note many people don’t alter their diets while trying to conceive.
Focusing on overall nutrition is important while you are trying to get pregnant, regardless of sexual preferences.
How to conceive a girl tip #9: Bath time
Some people believe boy sperm are heat-averse, so having a bath prior to sex might help to weaken the male sperm.
Other things said to weaken male sperm are:
- Tight pants
- High-stress level
- Going to bed later.
However, these things can also affect overall fertility, so be careful if trying this method.
What are the chances of having a girl?
If you long for a girl, you can try the above methods, but there is little to no scientific evidence for gender selection.
Although there might be plenty of anecdotal evidence about their success, results can vary.
Some of them, particularly the timing methods such as the Whelan Method, might actually reduce your chances of conception.
Bonus tip: How to conceive a girl #10: The Babydust Method
The Babydust Method
If you want to know how to conceive a girl, this book is an essential read, according to raving fans!
The Babydust Method author, Kathryn Taylor, has a Bachelor of Science in Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics. In her book, Taylor discusses egg polarity, pH, and acidic/alkaline/ion diets.
Taylor’s approach involves a combination of precise timing and frequency, which has been proven to work in a published clinical study.
Here are some of the many rave reviews from readers:
“I read several books on sex selection and this book was my favourite. It was easy to follow, to the point, and made the most sense. I followed the instructions in this book to help increase my chance of conceiving a girl. I got pregnant on the first try, and ultrasound and blood tests have confirmed we’re expecting a baby girl! So thrilled!!” – Lauren
“I purchased this book and my husband and I decided to try it out. We nailed it the first time we tried. After 3 healthy boys we are expecting our little girl in July. My family and I can not thank you enough for helping us make our dream come true. Cannot wait to hold Emily Rose in our arms!” – Jennifer
You can grab a copy from Amazon, or the Book Depository.
You can also check out Dr. Shettles best-selling book, How to Choose the Sex of Your Baby.
If you’re curious about what’s recommended for conceiving a boy, see our article, How To Conceive A Boy.
Q: How do you avoid an extremely faint line pregnancy test result?
A: If you want to avoid getting an extremely faint line on your pregnancy test, then two things are most important. Firstly, you should test your urine only a day or two after missing your period, and not before. Secondly, take the test first thing in the morning, when the pregnancy hormone, hCG, will be more concentrated in your urine.
Q: How do you increase your chances of having a boy?
A: If you want to increase your chances of having a boy, one thing you can do is to eat foods that contain potassium and sodium. In addition, have intercourse right before the day of ovulation, to give the male sperm an advantage.
Q: When does a baby start talking?
A: As early as 11 months is the expected age for a baby to start saying his or her first words. They usually are ‘dada’ and ‘mama’. They could also be other words your baby always hears a lot at home.
Q: Is it ok to drink hot tea while pregnant?
A: Are you curious if it’s safe to consume hot tea while pregnant? A woman who is pregnant can still drink hot tea, but it’s best to opt for a herbal one. Teas that contain caffeine, such as black tea and green tea, should be avoided during pregnancy.
Hi guys! I just gave birth to happy healthy baby a few days ago. And guess what? She is a happy healthy baby girl named Alice Marie Rose Morgan(10/15/18) I used the Shettles method. It may not have been fun with no orgasam or penetration but me and my husband are proud happy parents.
I have 3 boys too and trying one last time for a girl next year, all boys were pure accident lol never tried these tips because we weren’t trying to have kids before. Let me know if anyone tries these!
I used the Shettles Method and it perfectly worked. I wanted a boy and I got a boy. Now I am looking forward to getting a girl through the same method.
mine were irregular too. so if you stick with eating foods that are high in calcium and magnesium (yogurt, hard cheese, canned salmon, rhubarb, spinach, tofu, oatmeal, broccoli and oranges,
almonds, brazilnuts and cashew nuts, whole wheat cereals, figs and beans), frequent sex, and not deep penetration (missionary style works best) then you will still be able to put the odds of conceiving a baby girl a lot higher.
I just had a baby girl after 2 beautiful boys. My diet was high in calcium & magnesium. I have PCOS, & had been on metformin 9 months prior to conceiving. This medication helped to regulate my cycles (38 days). I ate low carb during this time period. What I figured was my husband & I had sex one time- about 12 hours AFTER ovulation. Missionary style & no orgasm for me. We did not find out the sex prior to her birth. However, my boys new it was a girl! Now we are home with her! Painting her room PINK! & assembling her white crib! Grateful to God for our amazing children!
Hello I have had 4 boys already. I’m going to try one last time for a girl lol.
I used the Shettles method after I had two boys and it worked! My daughter just turned one and we’re talking about trying for a second girl 🙂 Well we actually used Shettles method along with shallow penetration and no orgasm. It wasn’t fun but it worked!
Wow. So glad it worked for you. We tried these methods 3 times. We have ended up with 4 boys. Not sure if we want to try again.
Ashleigh did you use any thing to help you conceive with PCOS.
Have you seen our PCOS article?
https://www.bellybelly.com.au/conception/poly-cystic-ovarian-syndrome-pcos/
It’s a girl! Thanks to these tips. We would of loved our boy just as much. Is it safe to have intense sex once 4 months.
My husband and I used the Shettles method FOUR times to make girls and ALL four times…we made a baby girl.My husband comes from a family of ALL boys!! So genetically I thought we’d have boys no matter what LoL.
I also took it a step further and douched with a water and lemon juice mix before intercourse to make it ruff for male sperm. (I realize it’s not great to use lemon juice “down there.” I’m just sharing what worked for me . Use with caution . )
Happy baby making everyone! Remember a healthy baby girl OR boy is really what matters!
If you had an already fertilized Embryo implanted, wouldn’t that mean that the sex of the child has already been determined?
Yes. The sex is determined already
Hi all, it worked for me 3 times or maybe just luck I don’t know. My first is a girl which we tried right after my period then every day or two before ovulation. My two boys were either on ovulation timing or just after, so it seemed like it worked and I do feel the deep desire for another girl! My daughter is 5 next month, son is 3 & other son is 6 months old! But March I really want to try for a girl due for next Christmas but then again it’s a bit fast yet I can’t restrain that desire of missing the whole pregnancy and baby girl! Ect. Absolute love my boy Louis who is only 6 months old though and my other two are great with him were just have to see what next years brings. Good luck to you all
I have had success with these methods, my advice… Take magnesium and calcium vitamin supplements for a month before trying to conceive. Take an OV test regularly to try to predict ovulation and avoid intercorse if OV test is positive since that means you will be ovulating in the next 12-24 hours.
I have 5 kiddos and I have used these methods to determine the gender of 4 of them. All 4 were the gender we were trying for. I would like to add, I took vitamins to make sure I had enough magnesium and calcium (for a girl) and potassium and zinc (for a boy). Good luck ladies!!!
My husband and I definitely swear by some of these (ie: not ejaculating very deep) and also to have sex very often. We have 3 beautiful children and used gender methods with our last baby extremely successfully. We want our baby girls to be close in age and this will probably be our last baby, and while some of you may not subscribe to this, we chose to try again immediately. Not only did I get pregnant right away, but we used the shallow ejaculating and made sure to have sex several days before ovulation. As for positions we like to switch things up but are fond of doggy style and spooning during his climax. I also do not climax as that can help the male sperm reach the finish line faster and that was not our goal. As of yesterday we found out we are pregnant with a second daughter and I encourage anyone to try these methods. It was easy to conceive and loads of fun trying. Hmmm…perhaps a 5th is in the future after all….lol.
Enjoy all!!!