Shettles Method 3480353 223311704 2008-07-03T14:42:39Z 64.218.175.132 /* Sexual Position */ The '''Shettles Method''' is a child [[fertilisation|conception]] idea that is reputed to help determine a [[Infant|baby's]] sex. It was developed by [[Landrum B. Shettles]] in the 1960s and was publicized in the book ''How to Choose the Sex of Your Baby'', coauthored by Shettles and [[David Rorvik]]. The book was first published in 1971 and has been in print in various editions ever since. By following the various methods outlined in the book, it is proposed that a couple can affect the probability of having a boy or a girl. Proponents claim between 75 and 90 percent effectiveness, but experts do not agree that the method works; for example, the 1995 article 'Timing of Sexual Intercourse in Relation to Ovulation -- Effects on the Probability of Conception, Survival of the Pregnancy, and Sex of the Baby', in the ''[[New England Journal of Medicine]]'' concludes that "for practical purposes, the timing of sexual intercourse in relation to ovulation has no influence on the sex of the baby."<ref>{{Cite journal | volume = 333 | issue = 23 | pages = 1517–21 | last = Wilcox | first = A J | coauthors = C R Weinberg, D D Baird | title = Timing of sexual intercourse in relation to ovulation. Effects on the probability of conception, survival of the pregnancy, and sex of the baby | journal = The New England journal of medicine | date = 1995-12-07 | pmid = 7477165 | doi = 10.1056/NEJM199512073332301 }}</ref> ==Concept== According to the theory, male (Y) sperm are faster but more fragile than female (X) sperm. Further, acidic environments harm Y sperm, according to the theory, making conception of a girl more likely. The Shettles method aims to exploit these two factors.<ref>{{Cite book | edition = Rev Upd | publisher = Broadway | isbn = 0767926102 | pages = 256 | last = Shettles | first = Landrum B. | coauthors = David M. Rorvik | title = How to Choose the Sex of Your Baby: Fully revised and updated | date = 2006-10-10 }}</ref> The Shettles method differs from the [[Ericsson method]], in which the semen is deposited outside the woman and time is given for the fast/slow swimmers to separate before [[artificial insemination]] takes place. ===Timing of Intercourse=== In order to have a boy insemination should occur as close as possible to the moment of ovulation so that the faster, Y-sperm arrive first and achieve conception, according to the theory. When seeking a girl insemination the couple should seek to have sex 2½ to 3 days before ovulation. ===Sexual Position=== Shallow penetration coupled with the sperm deposited close to the entrance favors female conception because the area is more acidic, which inhibits the weaker Y sperm, according to the theory. To allow the Y sperm to reach the egg first (which supposedly moves at a faster rate), deeper penetration should be sought, to deposit the sperm at the least acidic area near the uterus opening. ===Orgasms=== Female [[Orgasm]] favors male sperm because they make the vaginal environment more alkaline. ==References== {{Reflist}} ==External links== *[http://www.babyhopes.com/choosesexofbaby.html Proponent's Website] *[http://www.ohiorepromed.com/sexselect.htm Critic's Website] [[Category:Fertility]]