Pregnancy Articles

Long Time Conceiving? Chances are, It's a Boy!

Pregnancy News Flash

According to the British Medical Journal, the longer it takes for a couple to conceive, the higher their chance of having a boy. Researchers studied 5,000 women who had a single birth. Fifty-one percent of couples who became pregnant in less than 12 months had a boy, compared to 58% of couples who took over 12 months to conceive. Researchers suggest that with each additional year a couple attempts to conceive, the odds of them having a boy increase by four percent.

Researchers don't know for sure why a longer conception time increases a couple's chances for having a boy, but previous studies have correlated thick cervical fluids with a difficulty conceiving. Sperm that carry the Y (male) chromosome tend to swim faster through thick cervical mucus than sperm carrying the X (female) chromosome, which could explain this outcome.

BabyFit Tip: There's no sure way to plan on conceiving a girl or a boy. However, there are steps you can take before conception to help yourself get ready for a healthy pregnancy. Read "Considering Pregnancy?" for more information.
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About The Author

Nicole Nichols
Nicole earned her bachelor's degree in health promotion and education, specializing in exercise and fitness, from the University of Cincinnati. She maintains several fitness certifications, including prenatal and postpartum exercise design.
Nicole Nichols

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