Prior to conception, the unfertilized egg carries an X chromosome while the sperm can carry either an X or a Y chromosome. The gender of the baby comes down to one simple event:

• If the sperm carrying an X chromosome fertilizes the egg, a girl will be conceived.

• If the sperm carrying a Y chromosome fertilizes the egg, a boy will be conceived.

Yet the male sperm appear to have a higher motility. Sperm motility is measured in two ways: percentage of sperm exhibiting movement, and the quality of this movement, which is called the forward progression. Poor motility means the sperm have a difficult time swimming toward the egg.

It is said that the sperm carrying the Y chromosome uses energy faster than the sperm carrying the X chromosome. The energy utilization is said to be due to the speed in which sperm swim. Supposedly, the Y sperm is speedy or contains less mitochondria whereas the X sperm is slower or carries more mitochondria. Mitochondria are the energy producing cellular components which are absolutely necessary for life. Sperm contain, and can only produce, so much fuel for their journey.

If one sperm type swims faster than another, the consequence of that, of course, is faster arrival - but also faster expiration. That said, if a woman knows her cycle and when she ovulates, the odds of baby gender prediction can be in one's favor. Sperm can reach the fallopian tubes in about 20 minutes to 2 hours. Sperm are viable for about 4-7 days inside the woman.

Ovulation Dates ? - Use our Ovulation Planner with more baby gender prediction hints.

See some ways of gender prediction such as the Chinese gender chart or some old wives tales.

If you are trying for a boy or girl, the ovulation dates planner will also suggest some actions that may influence the sex of the child, this is based on the scientific research of Dr Landrum Shettles and David M. Rorvik, who published findings in a book called:
" How to Choose the Sex of Your Baby:
The Method Best Supported by Scientific Evidence."   ISBN: 038548562X

Your baby is what you eat

If you want a boy:

• Eat red meat and bananas, also peaches are recommended.
• Eat salty snacks such as: crackers and chips (but do not over do the salt).
• Nuts, hazelnuts, pecans and almonds are high in Potassium
• Dads should drink plenty of sodas, preferably cola drinks.

If you want a girl:

• Eat lots of fresh fish, fruit and vegetables.
• Green vegetables such as spinach and broccoli are good sources of magnesium.
• Dairy products, milk, yogurt and cheese are calcium rich.
• Eat Pumkin seeds, Sunflower seeds and Sesame seeds.

If you want a boy:

• The woman should stay horizontal after sex, as this gives the boy sperms a better chance of reaching the cervix than the girl sperms.
• Make love standing up, or use the rear entry position.
• Focus on the males pleasure during love making.

If you want a girl:

• Make love in the missionary position, or with the woman on top.
• Focus on the female's sexual pleasure.

Other old wives tales on determining the sex of your baby include:

• Make love on a quarter moon if you want a boy.
• Make love on a full moon if you want a girl.
• Make love on odd days for boys and even days for girls.
• The more dominant sex in the relationship will produce offspring of the same sex.

There is no 100% guarantee that you will be able to conceive a boy or a girl using these methods, but it could increase your chances significantly. No matter what gender your child ends up being, the important thing is that they are healthy. It is fun to try and naturally select the gender of your future child, but at the end of the day there are many different factors that will ultimately decide their sex.