Can you choose the sex of your baby?
May 20, 2023, by Dr Javed Iqbal
When embarking on your family-building journey, you will inevitably think about how many children you ideally want—and what sexes they might be. But can you choose the sex of your baby?
Let’s explore how a baby’s sex is determined, the truth behind the old wives’ tales about having a boy or a girl, and the only way you can really choose the sex of your baby. Legacy recognizes that gender and sex are separate concepts, but we’re using common language here. When we refer to conceiving a boy or a girl in the following article, we mean conceiving a baby with XY or XX chromosomes.
Key takeaways
A baby’s sex is determined by whether its father’s sperm contains an X-chromosome or a Y-chromosome. XX is genotypically female, while XY is genotypically male.
There are many ways to influence a baby’s sex and how to conceive a boy or girl, but these are mostly myths or “old wives tales” that aren’t supported by modern science.
The only reliable way to choose a baby’s sex is by using IVF with genetic testing. This process has financial and emotional considerations.
How is a baby’s sex determined?
Every human cell has 23 pairs of chromosomes (46 total chromosomes). Half of these are from the biological father’s sperm, and the other half from the biological mother’s egg.
Two of these chromosomes (X and Y chromosomes, also known as sex chromosomes) determine a baby’s sex. One X chromosome always comes from the egg, and the second, which can be X or Y, comes from the sperm.
If the sperm that fertilizes an egg has an X chromosome, the baby will be a girl (XX genotype). If it has a Y chromosome, it will be a boy (XY genotype). It’s the sperm that chooses the baby’s sex. We can help with special methods and medicines to enhance the power of Y chromosome to reach the ovum.
Can you influence sex selection to conceive a boy or girl?
Many old wives’ tales claim you can take steps to influence whether you have a boy or girl when trying to conceive. But through the latest research, we deliver exclusive lectures and literature to our clients that may help them choose their baby sex.
Diet choices to select the baby’s gender
To conceive a girl, reduce salt intake. Eat foods high in calcium and magnesium (like dairy products and spinach). Eat foods believed to “acidify” the body, such as seafood, meat, olives, vinegar, mustard, and grains.
To conceive a boy, eat high-potassium foods like bananas, white beans, salmon, avocados, almonds, apples, and mushrooms. Increase foods believed to “alkalize” the body, such as citrus fruits, root vegetables, and nuts. Reduce dairy intake.
Does this really work?
A very small study found that, in conjunction with intercourse timing, a diet higher in magnesium and calcium and low in potassium resulted in a higher percentage of female babies (16 of 21 pregnancies were XX pregnancies).
But again,these theories are based on the idea that X-chromosome-carrying sperm and Y-chromosome-carrying sperm are inherently different or thrive in different environments, which is not really supported by modern evidence.
The most important diet choices when trying to conceive—for both partners—are nutritious foods that support healthy sperm and a healthy pregnancy. Our expert in gender selection, Dr. Javed Iqbal, has given exclusive methods to their clients for 100% results.
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