Sex Selection

When people suggest you use a chart to determine the gender of your baby, they usually are referring to a Chinese Lunar Calendar. The theory is that if you take the mother's age when conception occurs and the month during which the child is conceived, you can determine the gender of the baby.

Although some new parents swear by this method, others have had less than stellar results. You'll have to decide for yourself if the chart helps you predict the gender of your child.

The story goes that 700 years ago, a Chinese scientist developed a chart that predicts the gender of a baby. The chart takes into account the mother's lunar age. Since it isn't clear how exactly to calculate a lunar age, most people simply use the mother's traditional age.

Next, you consider the month during which the child was or hopefully will be conceived. Many programs exist on the Internet to help you determine the end result of using this chart. These programs take the information you supply, and then based on this chart, predict the gender of your child.

Realistically, you have about a fifty-fifty chance of the chart being accurate. It's a fun exercise to try if you're pregnant or thinking of becoming pregnant, but most people feel it really isn't that accurate.

Another chart you can use to help determine your baby's gender is an ovulation chart. An ovulation chart is used to track the pattern of your cycle over a few months leading up to conception. After a few months, you'll be able to use this chart to determine when you will ovulate during the month.

Recent theory is that if you have sex 3 to 2 and a half days before you ovulate, you will have a girl. If you have sex less than 1 day before you ovulate, you will have a boy.

How accurate is this method? Well, again results vary. You might want to hold off painting the baby's room pink or blue until you at least have an ultrasound.

When it comes down to predicting your baby's gender, there are many fun and fascinating theories. Technically speaking, though, the charts examined in this article are just theories. They may or may not be accurate for you.

Your best bet is to wait to see what happens during an ultrasound. As ultrasound technology has improved, so has your chance of knowing in advance whether you're having a boy or a girl.

Still, these charts are fun, and especially for those couples who are just trying to conceive, you may want to see if you get your wish. Hey, you have at least a 50 percent chance of being right.