Historically, when asked what gender they prefer for their children, most Americans said they wished for a boy. Recently, however, that has begun to change. Now, many women report that if given a choice, they’d hope for a girl. Maybe you’ve always dreamed about raising a confident and strong girl, or maybe you already have a house full of boys and don’t think your furniture could take another bundle of boy energy.
Whatever your reason for wanting a daughter, you might find yourself wondering if there are ways you can increase your odds of conceiving a girl. While there are plenty of old wives’ tales about getting pregnant, do they actually work? Let’s take a closer look at all the options out there for how to conceive a girl, from high-tech to grocery-store options.
What helps to conceive a girl? High-tech and low-tech methods
Best positions to conceive a baby girl
Sexual position
There are those, including fans of the Shettles method, that say sexual position can sway your odds of having a girl. To take the advice of those methods, avoid positions with deep penetration and aim for a shallow missionary style instead.
Orgasm no-go?
There is also a theory that avoiding having an orgasm can help you have a girl, as the female orgasm causes a secretion that helps boy sperm survive longer in the reproductive tract. But science has yet to prove that, so let your body do its thing!
Stress and Sperm
It has been said that the sperm that makes sons is more fragile, and so stress in the father-to-be can leave more room for “stronger” girl sperm. Still before your man embraces his stress, know that increased stress levels can prevent conception. Instead, try jumping in a hot tub for some foreplay because who wants to be stressed out during a night of nooky.
The bottom line
Ultimately, your goal should be to have a healthy baby regardless of the gender, so consult a health professional before trying any method. "While most methods are harmless, not all of them are risk-free," fertility advocate Rachel Gurevich RN, told Very Well Family.
"If you plan to pursue any of these options, talk to your doctor for guidance."
Employing methods that happen in a laboratory will probably be your best bet, as there isn’t a lot of evidence to support the low-tech ways of conceiving a girl — but even then, with a 50/50 chance, may the odds be in your favor!
