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Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!mhuxr!ihnp4!ihuxk!rs55611
From: rs55611@ihuxk.UUCP (Robert E. Schleicher)
Newsgroups: net.kids
Subject: Re: How do you get a boy?
Message-ID: <919@ihuxk.UUCP>
Date: Mon, 1-Apr-85 18:44:26 EST
Article-I.D.: ihuxk.919
Posted: Mon Apr  1 18:44:26 1985
Date-Received: Tue, 2-Apr-85 07:28:44 EST
References: <1660SGL@PSUVM> <237@aluxz.UUCP>
Organization: AT&T Bell Laboratories
Lines: 33

> 
> Fortunately, short of sorting out your sperm under a microscope, 
> there is nothing you can do to increase the probability
> that conception results in a male baby.  In fact, the odds are slightly
> in favor of a female being born.
> 
> Kevin Kolwicz
> AT&T Bell Labs, Allentown PA

I've seen the results of a couple of studies that showed definite
"changing the odds" by following the techniques that other net postings
have listed (ie., tracking cervical mucos and body temperature to determinbe
the exact day of ovulation, douching with baking soda, dietary changes, etc.)

In one such (somewhat non-scientific, admittedly) study, approximately 75-80
out of 100 couples conceived the sex that they were attempting to conceive.
The other result was that trying to have a boy is somewhat more "causable"
than trying to have a girl.  Basically, certain specific conditions are
highly amenable to conceiving a boy, while the the conditions that tend
to favor a girl also tend to favor no conception at all.  (Basically, boys
predominate right at the time of ovulation, while girls get more prevalent
as you move farther away from the exact time of ovulation.)

While not fool-proof, I think it's incorrect to dismiss these techniques
as some form of hocus-pocus.  It's also true, though, that no one should
have a child unless they'll love whatever sex child they get equally
as much.  Nonetheless, if you've already got one or more kids of a
particular sex, there's nothing wrong with trying to shift the odds a little.

Bob Schleicher
ihuxk!rs55611
.
:wq