Ovulation and Shettles Method- anyone doing it?

[mumoftwoboysS]

I'm (hopefully) going to start TTC DC#3 in a few months (OH is ALMOST convinced!) and we have two wonderful DS's and are going to try the Shettles method to try and get a girl though of course all with a pinch of salt as I know it might not work, and if we get a boy then I'll still be thrilled as really want another.

Been reading up on it and it seems I need to have a look at my ovulation pattern for a few months so I can see when I ovulate then aim to TTC 3-5 days before (so the theory goes for a girl).

I want to know, is taking temperature and looking at CM (cervical mucus- sorry if tmi!) enough to get an accurate idea of ovulation? I can't really justify spending money on a digital ovulation monitor or something similar though I realise that would be the easiest way to do it.

Also has anyone tried for a girl- did you focus on diet as well or just do the physical stuff i.e. timing/positions etc. i need to decide if I'm going to buy the book and go the whole hog (meaning I cut out my beloved coffee and anything else acidic) or is this just a load of rubbish?!

anyway thoughts/ideas/info all appreciated.

(please no anti-gender choosing opinions/rants- I am only trying to 'sway' the odds and its up to me if I want to do it! :-)

[DrSeuss]

Did temperature chart via Fertility Friend website. Did timing. Found diet impossible but a friend did it. DD will be two in May :).

[Trinpy]

I read somewhere that research into gender-swaying has found the opposite of Shettle's method is true. There is a slighter higher chance of having a girl if you dtd close to ovulation. Might be able to find some research on it if you are interested.

Sorry, thats probably not what you want to hear.

[mumoftwoboysS]

DrSeuss that's interesting that it worked for you! Did your friend get a girl too?? :-)

Trimpy I haven't heard that opposing theory as i thought it was all based on the physiology of the male sperm being faster and dying sooner thus you're more likely to get a boy if you try bang on ovulation. Will have a look though, may just have to ignore that theory and try anyway ;-)

[mumoftwoboysS]

oh and I meant to ask DrSeuss how many days before ovulation did you try? (or should I say, how many days before ovulation did you stop trying) I thought we'd try around 4-5 days before although this does mean there's a chance of not conceiving at all for months! Maybe start at that point and then move closer if it's too far away?

[thefarmerhasawife]

I tried everything last time, diet and trying to lower ph of cervical mucus and my fourth son was conceived having done the deed 7 days prior to ovulation! Honestly I really do think its luck of the draw. I was still delighted to be having another boy and just felt lucky that I could conceive. I completely understand the desire for a girl but sometimes it's just not meant to be :-)

[ILoveMyCats]

It might be worth reading 'the impatient woman's guide to getting pregnant' as there is a whole chapter on the shettles method and why it may not be accurate. I haven't read that chapter myself as I'm still ttc #1 & just want a baby! The rest of the book is good, IMO anyway. Try getting it from the library if you don't want to buy the book for one chapter. Author is Jean M. Twenge. Good luck!

[porridgewithalmondmilk]

Mum, I have this book but it is no longer any use to me as I am trying IVF. If you would like it (no charge!) just message me your address, you are very welcome and I hope you get your DC3 soon

[DrSeuss]

Yes, my friend got a girl. She also did strange things with Replens! the Ingender site is interesting but very extreme. You kind of feel these women will do anything, no matter how odd. No lemon juice up my fanjo, I can assure you!
4-5 days but this means it can take muck longer overall.

[mumoftwoboysS]

thefarmerhasawife it just shows that sometimes things aren't meant to be! On the plus side a house of 4 boys must be lots of fun! not a bad thing in the slightest! I wouldn't mind ending up with 3 boys, just feel like it'd be nice to have another girl in the house! For some reason I feel like I'm meant to have a girl but having said that we're stopping at 3 whatever happens!

porridge which book do you have, sorry, not sure if you mean you have the Dr Shettles book or the one Ilovemycats has- the impatient woman's guide to getting pregnant.

I'm still not sure I want to be persuaded that Shettles is wrong and that nothing I can do will sway it ;-) But if you have the Shettles book I'd love to have it, thank you!

erm, yes not sure I'll be trying lemon juice -that does sound extreme-lol! I want to try and keep a level head about it and not get all extreme and crazy but I know how easy it is to get wrapped up in it all!

maybe some men just have lots of one type/sex sperm? (hence the reason for any Shettles-style methods not working?!

[DrSeuss]

What, like Henry VIII?!
I used
www.amazon.co.uk/Taking-Charge-Your-Fertility-Reproductive/dp/0091887585/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1361392056&sr=8-1&tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-21

www.amazon.co.uk/Choose-Sex-Your-Baby-Natural/dp/074753313X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1361392102&sr=1-1&tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-21

[porridgewithalmondmilk]

I do have the Shettles book, yes

[ILoveMyCats]

The book I have gives an alternative theory/things to try.....not just saying that shettles is wrong, more what to do instead.

[mumoftwoboysS]

porridge Oh I'd love to have it then- thank you so much- very kind of you to offer to send it to me -what nice people there are on here!! :-)

Thanks Ilovemycats I'll take a look at that book and DrSeuss the ones you suggest.

I'm convinced there's something in the theories though I'm sure a skeptic could put forward plenty of reasons why they don't work! But luckily I'm not a skeptic (though my hubby is!) Worth a try, and whatever happens I'll get a beautiful baby- that is if I can convince OH 100%. He's agreed to me charting my temperature to find out ovulation for the next few months so that's almost a 'yes', now I just need to get him drunk and take advantage of him- lol!

thanks again for your help!

[Leafmould]

Just read the amazon review list for one of these books, and notice that everyone quoting their success was looking for a girl after a few boys.

Sorry to sidetrack, op, but is it the case that most people looking for a particular gender are after a girl?

I am the other way round and feeling a little bit lonely!

[mumoftwoboysS]

Hi Leagmould I would have thought that it's fairly even in terms of some people trying to get a girl, some a boy- maybe the reviewers just happened to all be trying for girls!

After reading about Shettles method it sounds like it should be easier to conceive a boy- aim for ovulation and go for it! But obviously its not that simple otherwise there wouldn't be people out there with all girls!

[Leafmould]

Mum of 2 boys.... Thanks for your reply. There also seems to be some mention of underwear affecting things.... Can anybody explain this theory to me? I think I might see if I can borrow one of the books from the library.

[mumoftwoboysS]

I think the men are supposed to wear loose underwear (so things don't get too hot down there) but I'm not sure now if it's loose for trying for a girl and not for a boy or vice versa! Not sure how much it really matters tbh. I thought that they were supposed to just wear loose underwear and promote a cooler climate for ttc in general!

[mumoftwoboysS]

Hi Porridgewithalmondmilk if you can't send me the book, don't worry, just let me know so I can buy it instead. many thanks

[Drmum81]

Hi there i tried shettles last yr march april in hope of TTC boy n had a beautiful lil princess last december... Our 2 nd girl:)..... Did it all right ticking boxes according to shettles but as sumbdy mentioned may b it was nt meant to b the way i wanted.....