How to get pregnant with a boy?

Many couples, either because they already have a girl at home, or simply because they have this dream in common, want to have a son. And there are several superstitions that promise to help determine the sex of the baby, however, none of them have a convincing explanation or scientific proof.

Popular belief says, for example, that in order to become pregnant with a boy, it is necessary to let the man initiate sexual intercourse, in addition to having intercourse at night and on odd-numbered days of the month. On the other hand: to have a girl, it is recommended that the woman takes the initiative for sexual intercourse and that it takes place in the afternoon, on even-numbered days. There’s no explanation for this, but many couples think it doesn’t hurt to try!

Some people also believe that, in order to concentrate more spermatozoa that carry the Y gene (which will generate a boy), a man should wear clothes – such as underwear, shorts, shorts and pants – that are looser.

Some say, too, that women who take longer to get pregnant are more likely to conceive a boy. That’s because the mucus of the cervix tends to get thicker, making it harder for female sperm to move, which are slower. But it is important to note that all these ideas have no proof.

However, it is true that there are already some medical guidelines that can help in this regard.

Is it possible to choose to have a boy?

Sang Cha, gynecologist and obstetrician, first explains how a baby’s sex is determined. “Women only produce eggs with an x ​​chromosome, while men produce both x and y sperm. So when the egg is fertilized by x sperm, it results in a girl, and when it is fertilized by y sperm, it results in a boy,” she says.

The doctor explains that there are already guidelines that can help a woman conceive a baby of a certain sex – in this case, male. “It is worth noting that it does not always work, but it helps a lot to have the sex of the desired baby”, she explains.

Sang Cha emphasizes that the diet of a woman who wants to have a boy must be rich in potassium and sodium, that is, with the presence of meat and fish, for example.

Also, intercourse should take place near or even after ovulation. This is because sperm that carry the Y gene (for boys) are more “agile” and reach the egg faster than those that carry the X gene (for girls). Another reason is that male sperm are more fragile and less resistant than female sperm.

Another guideline is that the woman reaches orgasm before the man, because that way she will release a mucus that reduces the acidity of the vagina, which will facilitate the movement of sperm that carry the Y gene, more sensitive.

Flávia Piacentini, 35, says that she already had two girls and, therefore, wanted very much to have a son. The husband also had this dream, so the two went to great lengths to have a baby of the desired sex. “We tried everything. I had already researched the internet and talked to older people about ideas that could help me in this regard. That’s why I can’t say for sure what was decisive, but I believe it was the date on which the sexual intercourse took place”, she reports.

Now, with two daughters and a son, Flávia says that, for now, she does not intend to have any more children. But if she and her husband decide to get pregnant again, they won’t have a preference for the sex of the baby. “Whether it’s a girl or a boy, the baby is very welcome,” she says.

“But my advice to mothers-to-be who intend to have a boy is to talk openly with your doctor about this desire, so he can explain what steps can be taken. And from there, it’s also luck!”, says Flávia.

Now you know: good medical advice can help couples have a baby of the desired sex. If your dream is to have a boy, talk to your gynecologist/obstetrician about it and correctly follow the guidelines given by him – both those related to food and those related to sexual intercourse.