Naturally - Baby Boy

Timing intercourse: Have intercourse the day of ovulation.

• Timing intercourse correctly is the most important factor.
  Learn to detect when you ovulate and practice until you're sure you understand your body's signals that ovulation is approaching.
• The ideal time for intercourse is 12 hours before ovulation.
• Have intercourse only once on the day of ovulation.
• If you are tracking ovulation by the BBT method, time intercourse for the day of the "dip" in temperature before the BBT rise.
• If you are tracking ovulation by the CM method, time intercourse as close as possible to the shift from peak mucus back to thicker, cloudier mucus.

Why is this important?

• Conditions for conception are ideal on the day of ovulation, favoring the faster Y-sperm. The egg is released at ovulation and is waiting for the sperm, so the sperm don't use up their short lives waiting for the egg to show up. Also, the environment of the vagina becomes more hospitable to sperm at ovulation; the cervical fluid increases and becomes more slippery, making it easier for the sperm to swim, and also becomes more alkaline, helping the sperm to survive.

Abstinence: The father must not ejaculate during the 4 - 5 days before ovulation.

• Intercourse and ejaculation are okay up until 4 to 5 days before ovulation, but after that point the father must avoid any ejaculation until the day of ovulation.
• Always use a condom when you have intercourse, both before and after ovulation, to prevent the possibility of conceiving on days when it is more likely to have girl. (Except, of course, during your one attempt on the day of ovulation.)

• Avoiding ejaculation allows a higher sperm count to build up. Higher sperm count is associated with more male offspring.

Scrotal temperature: The father should "keep it cool".

• The father should make sure to avoid excessive heat around the scrotum, which can be caused by tight, hot clothing, or an overly hot workplace.
• Choose boxers. Even close-fitting underwear can make the scrotum too warm by holding it too closely against the body.
• No saunas, hot tubs, or scuba diving.
• Bicycling has been linked to impotence and reduced sperm count, so while you are actively trying to conceive you may want to choose another sport.

• The optimum temperature for sperm production is a little lower than body temperature, which is why a man's sperm factory is housed in a handy bag just outside the body -- the scrotum. If the temperature is too warm, sperm count for both X and Y sperm will be reduced, but the more fragile Y-sperm will perish first.

Sperm count: The father should avoid other causes of reduced sperm count.

• Illness can temporarily reduce sperm count, so if the father is sick you may want to delay your attempt until the following cycle.
• Smoking, drug and alcohol use, and exposure to toxic chemicals, can all reduce sperm count.
• Emotional stress is associated with lower sperm counts. You may want to check into relaxation techniques.
• Regular exercise and maintaining a healthy weight are lifestyle changes that can improve sperm count.
• Lack of certain vitamins and minerals can lower sperm count. You may want to try a nutritional supplement for enhancing male fertility
• If you're worried that you may have a low sperm count, you can use an at-home semen analysis kit to check your sperm concentration.

• Any form of stress, not just heat, can affect sperm production and lower sperm count.

Diet: The father may have some caffeine just before intercourse.

• The father can have a couple of cups of coffee (or other caffeinated drink) fifteen minutes to half an hour before intercourse.

• Caffeine gives both types of sperm a boost, but the Y-sperm would get a little more of a boost.

Female orgasm: Have one!

• The woman should try to have an orgasm during intercourse, ideally just before the man's. (If you don't, though, don't get too hung up about it.)

• Female orgasm causes the cervical fluid to become even more plentiful and alkaline, and thus more hospitable to the sperm, which would again favor the faster swimming Y-sperm.

Vaginal environment: Try to make the vagina as alkaline as possible.

• Douching: Enhance the vagina's alkalinity with a baking soda douche. If you do decide to douche, here is how to prepare a baking soda douche:
  • Use 2 tablespoons of baking soda in warm (not hot) mineral or filtered water.
  • Wash your hands and mix thoroughly in a clean glass.
  • Cover glass with a napkin, and wait 10 minutes to allow to completely dissolve.
  • Most drugstores have reusable douche kits available. You may also be able to buy an inexpensive disposable douche (with a removable top), and pour out the original contents. Since most douches are acidic, rinse very thoroughly.
  Douching is linked to vaginal infections, and associated with pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), ectopic pregnancy, and infertility. Consult your doctor before using a douche.

Family Balancing

Genetics & IVF Institute: "FAMILY BALANCING: FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS FAQ


What is Family Balancing?
Even though each pregnancy has a 50% or 1 in 2 chance to be male and a 50% or 1 in 2 chance to be female, some families have more children of one gender. PGD for Family Balancing can help these couples have a child of the underrepresented gender in their family.
Does taking cells harm the embryo?
Removing 1 or more cells from an early embryo does not prevent the embryo from growing into a complete pregnancy. All of the cells in the early embryo are capable of complete development. In fact, identical twins develop from a single embryo that splits in half. It is clear from this example that you can take away half of the embryonic cells with no harm to either half.
Why should I use IVF if I have not been diagnosed with infertility?
In order to have more than 1 embryo to test, follicle-stimulating medications are needed to coax the ovaries to mature more than 1 egg at a time. We also need to have access to the embryos before implantation so that 1 or more cells may be removed and used for genetic testing.
What should I know about infertility drugs?
The medications necessary to mature multiple egg follicles must be monitored by measuring levels in the blood, as well as looking at the ovaries with ultrasound. Your doctor will work with you to maximize t"

Sperm Seperation

MicroSort is a new scientific method, currently in clinical trial, that increases the chance of a couple having a child of a particular gender. MicroSort is used before conception to separate sperm into those that either primarily produce girls or those that primarily produce boys. For most couples, the sorted sperm sample is then used with simple intrauterine insemination (IUI) to achieve pregnancy. For couples who need additional assistance achieving pregnancy, MicroSort can be used with in vitro fertilization (IVF) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). Couples using MicroSort for the prevention of X-linked disorders may also consider using preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD).

What is the chance of getting the desired gender?
Currently, MicroSort sperm separation for female gender selection (XSort) results in an average of 88% X-bearing sperm in the sorted specimen. MicroSort sperm separation for male gender selection (YSort) currently results in an average of 73% Y-bearing sperm in the sorted specimen. These data are determined by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) which allows the number of X- and Y-bearing sperm cells to be counted from a fraction of the sorted sample. A child of the desired gender cannot be guaranteed because the current technology does not completely exclude either female or male sperm cells from the enriched sample. Please view the Current Results page and our Journal Publication page for the most recent data.

How many tries does it take to get pregnant?
The number of attempts (cycles) necessary to become pregnant depends on many factors; including the age of the patient, the quality of the semen specimen, the type of clinical procedure (IUI, IVF, or ICSI), and numerous other factors. Our experience indicates that pregnancies are attained at approximately the same rate with MicroSort sperm separation as those without MicroSort sperm separation. Please view the Current Results page for the most recent data.

Where is this process currently available?
The Genetics & IVF Institute (GIVF) has a MicroSort Clinic and Laboratory located in Fairfax, Virginia. There is also a MicroSort Laboratory in Laguna Hills, California in partnership with Huntington Reproductive Center. GIVF is a world-renowned genetics and infertility institute founded in 1984 and is the world-wide exclusive license holder of the MicroSort process. GIVF and the Huntington Reproductive Center have clinical facilities at these locations where patients can receive the IUI (intrauterine insemination), IVF/ICSI and PGD procedures. IUI procedures must be performed at one of these two clinical facilities affiliated with a MicroSort laboratory. However, a specimen may be sorted at one of the MicroSort laboratories in Fairfax or Laguna Hills, frozen, and shipped to a collaborating medical facility for use in an IVF/ICSI procedure. (view Using a Local Collaborating Physician).

What are the fees associated with MicroSort?
While research and development funds at the Genetics & IVF Institute support the MicroSort clinical trial, there is a charge for each sort to partially cover expenses. Cycle costs will vary depending on the medical procedure (IUI, IVF, ICSI) used. (view Cycle Costs) Insurance will probably not cover your participation. If you have additional questions regarding costs, please contact the MicroSort office directly at 800-277-6607. For questions regarding fees for IVF with ICSI or Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD) at the Genetics & IVF Institute, please call 800-552-4363 or 703-698-7355.

Are there any risks associated with using this process?
Since the application of MicroSort technology to humans has just recently become possible, only limited information is available on pregnancy rate, risks, or outcome in humans. The process is currently in an FDA clinical trial using an investigational device in accordance with FDA regulations and its use by patients requires the patients' informed consent. For further information regarding theoretical risk, refer to the discussion and other sections in our Publications list.

What is the purpose of a clinical trial?
New technologies are examined for medical use in a clinical trial format. A clinical trial is a study monitored by an Institutional Review Board (IRB) for various purposes, including ensuring safety and evaluating outcomes. The participants' written informed consent is obtained in such clinical investigations.

What type of involvement is necessary on the part of the couple?
Different procedures require different levels of involvement.

Option A: The majority of couples use MicroSort with intrauterine insemination (IUI). After all the necessary paperwork is completed, the couple must come to the MicroSort Clinic in Fairfax, Virginia or Huntington Reproductive Center Clinic in Laguna Hills, California for the IUI procedure. There is monitoring of your ovulatory cycle that occurs prior to the IUI procedure. This can be done with your local OB/GYN physician or done directly with one of the clinical facilities (Fairfax or Laguna Hills). On the scheduled day of the procedure, the husband will leave a specimen at one of our MicroSort Laboratories, the sperm will be sorted and the wife will have her IUI done later that same day.

Option B: The couple wants to use a MicroSort sperm separated specimen with an IVF with ICSI procedure and have the IVF done with their local infertility specialist. (see Using a Local Collaborating Physician )

Option C: The couple wants to use a MicroSort sperm separated specimen with an IVF with ICSI, or Preimplantaion Genetic Diagnosis (PGD) at the Genetics & IVF Institute. Patients should call 1-800-552-4363 or visit the Institute's website at www.givf.com The patient wants to have an IVF/ICSI or PDG with Huntington Reproductive Center. Patients should call 1-866-472-4483 or visit their website at www.havingbabies.com.

Will freezing damage sperm?
Frozen sperm has been used successfully for insemination and pregnancy attainment for many years. Cryoprotectants are normally added to the semen sample to protect the cells during the freezing process; however, freezing and thawing does reduce the number of viable sperm cells available for insemination. The combination of cryopreservation and MicroSort sperm separation is currently best utilized with IVF and ICSI procedures. The feasibility of using frozen sorted sperm for IUI is currently unknown.

What precautions are taken to prevent switching our semen specimen with someone else's?
Each specimen is assigned and labeled with a unique identification number when received. Each specimen identification number is maintained throughout the process to assure rigorously accurate identification and tracking of each specimen.

Can an individual naturally have an unequal proportion of X- and Y-bearing sperm cells even if there is a family history of mostly female or male offspring?
There is no information of which we are aware that would indicate some men naturally produce an unbalanced number of X- and Y-bearing sperm cells. This seems true even when there is a family history of mostly female or male offspring. If you have significant doubt about your situation, it is possible to have a specimen tested by FISH prior to using the MicroSort procedure.

Is there a waiting list?
Due to limited capacity, there may be a waiting list depending on when you desire to initiate a MicroSort cycle, although we strive to minimize delays. It is advisable to schedule several months in advance of the time you desire to use MicroSort. If a particular month's schedule is filled to capacity, individuals will be scheduled for the next available opening.

For more information http://www.microsort.net

Baby Gender Selection Diet

You want to choose the Gender of your next baby......

Out of the several methods that were used over decades, the only method time tested and almost sure method is sex selection by ionic equilibrium, i.e. modification of diet before pregnancy.. You’ve made up your mind but your body s condition may be preventing the conception of your chosen gender.

By Altering your your body chemistry through a preconception gender diet prior to conception you can change the pH level in your body, and therefore, it can change the polarity of the egg. . The resulted charge will attract one gender more than the other

Making wise, informed decisions about your diet now -- before conception -- will greatly increase your odds to having a boy or girl when you conceive. Changing your diet is proven in clinical research to be 96% to 98% effective in choosing the gender of your next baby. The results can be dramatic for women who have decided to try to conceive a child of a certain sex by altering their diets.
Sex selection by ionic equilibrium, i.e. modification of diet, is accomplished by manipulating the diet to create the ratio of positive ions to negative ions and augmenting the diet with supplements. Parentsfirstchoice.net designed specialy Boy and Girl Gender diets to alter body chemistry prior to conception."

For more information visit http://www.baby-gender-selection.com

In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)

What is In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)?

In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) provides an alternative method of achieving a pregnancy for couples who have tried and have been unsuccessful with other fertility treatments. In many cases, it is the therapy of first choice. In a normal conception cycle, an egg is released from the ovary and unites with a sperm cell that has traveled through the uterus and fallopian tubes after being deposited in the vagina during intercourse. When the sperm penetrates the egg, fertilization occurs. The fertilized egg develops further as it moves through the tube into the uterus. Implantation does not occur until several days after fertilization.

The IVF procedure allows the union of the egg and the sperm and early growth of the embryo to occur in the laboratory. For a pregnancy to result through IVF, four steps must be successfully completed. Pregnancy cannot occur if even one step of the procedures fails. These four steps are as follows:

1. Retrieval of the mature egg. Fertility drugs (hMG, Follistim, Gonal-F, or Humagon) are used to ripen more than one egg. This process is called controlled ovarian hyperstimulation. Eggs are recovered by transvaginal ultrasound directed aspiration of the follicles. Intravenous sedation is used. Because timing of the egg collection is critical, ultrasound monitoring and hormone tests are done before egg retrieval.
   
2. Sperm collection, fertilization, and embryo development. A semen specimen is obtained and prepared at the appropriate time in relationship to the egg recovery. Meanwhile, the eggs are placed in culture medium to incubate and mature until timing is optimal for fertilization by the sperm. The resulting zygote is called a pre-embryo. In nature as well as in the laboratory, fertilization may not occur, nor does development always continue once the egg is penetrated by sperm.
   
3. Transfer of the developing embryo(s) into the uterus. On the third or fifth day after egg recovery, the embryo(s) are transferred into a small tube through the cervix into the uterus. This process is technically much simpler than the egg retrieval in that it does not require anesthesia and is like a regular pelvic exam.
   
4. Implantation and growth of the embryo(s). After fertilization and transfer, further development and implantation of the embryo(s) in the uterine lining is governed by hormones, receptors on the uterine lining, and other unknown factors. Blood tests will be taken to detect pregnancy. Additional hormones are given to support the early pregnancy.

Results of IVF-ET Therapy

Couples need to be aware that the federal government requires all IVF programs to provide cycle-specific data to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control). The CDC periodically audits all programs to verify information they have been given regarding cycle success. Information on our program, as well as other reporting programs, can be obtained directly from the CDC, Resolve, and the American Society of Reproductive Medicine.

Human reproduction is a surprisingly inefficient process. There is no IVF-ET program that can provide a guarantee of success. Success is influenced by the quality and number of embryos transferred, and the patient's medical condition. Age is the most important determinate of success. In 1997 and 1998, this program achieved success in over 50% of initiated cycles in women under 40. Because of the higher pregnancy rate and the high multiple pregnancy rate, we are recommending that only two or three embryos be transferred in the future. 1998 showed the wisdom in this recommendation. The average number of embryos transferred dropped to approximately 2.7 while the pregnancy rate did not fall compared to 1997. The risk of multiple pregnancy dropped dramatically. The number of embryos transferred will be determined by your age and quality of the embryos.

Information for all prospective IVF patients

• Our policy requires that all female partners entering the program be tested for antibodies against Rubella. If antibodies are not detected, you should consider Rubella vaccination. Receiving the vaccine will require a three month delay before entering an IVF cycle. At the conclusion of the three month waiting period, a repeat titer should be drawn to verify that antibodies are present. Obviously, not everyone can wait three months before proceeding with a cycle. Exceptions will be made on an individual basis.
  
• Drugs, alcohol, and cigarette smoking should be eliminated during the IVF cycle. Pregnancy rates in smokers is almost zero. There have been recent suggestions that eliminating caffeine may increase pregnancy rates.
  
• Sitting in hot tubs and saunas is not recommended during the IVF cycle.
  
• Do not begin any new exercise, sport, or intense athletic training during the IVF cycle.
  
• All women attempting conception should be taking a specific prenatal vitamin. No other supplements should be taken unless specifically prescribed.

For more information visit http://www.affordable-ivf.com

PGD, Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis - Gender Selection

Gender Selection, PGD, Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis: "PGD, Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis, and Gender Selection

PGD is sometimes used to help couples select the sex of their children gender selection . One reason gender selection is important is that many genetic diseases are sex linked, meaning they only occur in a child of a specific sex. PGD for gender selection insures that PGDan embryo with a potential sex linked genetic disease is not transferred to the mother. Only embryos of the unaffected sex will be transferred.

PGD / gender selection is used by some couples who have children of one gender and want to experience the joy of raising a child of the opposite gender. Other couples choose gender selection because they want a male child that can perpetuate their family name, or for any number of other personal reasons.

PGD is discussed in detail on this Web site as are, the gender selection process, and we provide descriptions of the various potential sex linked genetic defects. Huntington is also one of the few centers that offers the Microsort gender selection technique. Microsort can be reviewed at our main Web site.

PGD is performed in conjunction with an in vitro fertilization IVF cycle to produce embryos that can be biopsied. If indicated, techniques such as ICSI will be employed. As in a regular IVF cycle, the female receives ovulation induction medications FSH"