Is it really possible to determine the gender of our unborn baby during pregnancy, or do we think all these concerns fate? One of the greatest Greek philosopher, Aristotle (a student of Plato and teacher of Alexander the Great) believe that the wind direction will determine the sex of unborn babies. But do we really have to trust Aristotle's philosophy? I personally do not believe in fate for baby genders since I still trust the advancement of science and technology in this context, more than anything else. Why? Few years ago, written clearly on the newspaper, it says that a group of scientist from Malaysia is developing a machine that will allow us to choose our baby genders. I do not really know how this machine work because their project was aborted by the Malaysian govenments.


Caption: babies

There are various child-gender prediction methods available, but is there any science behind them? It all depends on how you trust these philosophies. Very briefly, any pregnancy mothers who do not suffer from morning sickness will usually expect a baby girl. However, the opposite is also considered as true. Mother's who usually suffer from severe pregnancy sickness will more likely have a baby girl. However, in Sweden, there is a research analysing many pregnancy womens suggested that womens who suffered from sickness (approximately 44 per cent of them) giving birth to baby boys compared to other 56 per cents. In separate studies, they found single mothers (who suffered from divorce/death of their husband) have greater possibility in giving births to baby females. The result of the research has proven that mothers who lived with their partners will have a 5 per cent greater chance to give birth to baby boys. In other words, pregnant mothers who suffer from mental illness (not happy) should have the same outcome.


Caption: pregnancy mother

There is a traditional and simplistic method used to predict the baby's gender; that is by measuring their heart beat. If the fetus's heart rate exceeded 140 bmp (beats per minute), then the baby is more likely a female. Alternatively, a baby boy's bmp is usually below 140 per minute. However, medical sciences had proven that the heart rate decreases by mid-pregnancy and increases again at 8to 10th week, rapidly (usually exceeding 170 bmp). On the other hand, a study also reported that a group of research uses the ultrasound technology to measure the fetus's heart beat and found that the average heart rate of girl was around 151 and 154 for guys. So, I believe the heart beat measurement will only work during early pregnancy?


Caption: fetus

Though there were no concrete evidences from sciences proving that eating habbits can change the baby's gender, thus mothers usually have bigger appetites. So, if they are carrying a baby boy, they will usually eat more than usual when carrying a baby girl. Indeed, the authors of the previous study admitted that the difference in appetite is not striking enough to predict the sex of a baby with accuracy. Some research suggested that the mysterious thing called "female intuition" were also proven effective to predict baby's gender. Ridiculously, either gut feeling or a dream, 60 per cent of the women from the previous study were able to predict the sex of their babies. Some predicted from the shape of their tummy during pregnancy; if the shape is sharpen plus oval, then the baby is predicted to be a female.


Caption: eating habbits

Eating habbits are important. It will not determine the babies gender, but at the very least, it will contribute in assisting your body to conceive the baby gender that you prefer, and I believe a 50 per cent rate for this. Recent research suggest that breakfast are particularly important. For instance, foods rich of potassium will contribute in helping the mom to deliver a baby boy. Here is a list of foods rich of potassium: bran wheat, soy, dried mixed fruits, tomato puree, figs, papadums, raisins, baked potato and skin, and wheatgerms. Banana's are considered as fruits rich in potassium. Experts suggests that mothers who NEVER skip breakfasts will delivered more boys than those who skipped breakfast. I personally suggest breakfast cereals. They are not only healthy, but also considered as food rich of potassium. Some articles also written clearly that mothers who consume more meat (potassium) will have a chance of delivering baby boys, than those who consume more vegetables. Acidic foods that will raise the chance for mothers to conceive a female baby are: asparagus, olive, green pickle, brazil nut, white rice, lentils and peanuts. This also means that well-fed mothers will give birth to males and less well-fed mothers delivering females. This was proven when researchers conducted some experiments with hamsters, and the conclusion suggested that underfed hamsters tend to deliver more females while hamsters not restricted on diet do not.


Caption: sexual intercourse

Other approaches involves the timing of sexual intercourse. An article reported that having sexual intercourse as close as possible to ovulation will allow the maleness sperm to fight meeting the egg. The second alternative approach is douching with water and vinegar to produce an acidic environment for the female for a female baby, and by douching with water and baking soda to make the environment more alkaline for a male baby. We now understand that males referred to alkaline whilst acid referred to females. According to the Cambridge dictionary, douching means to put a liquid, usually water, into the vagina in order to wash it or treat it medically. Lastly, adopting various sexual positions may also increase the chance of conceiving a baby boy, i.e. rear-entry sexual position for having a baby boy and missionary position for producing girls. Missionary position refers to a position for having sex in which a woman lies on her back and her partner is above and facing her. If unsure with the positions, then do check it out on google for a picture of those sex positions mentioned above.