Technology provides us with many opportunities in today’s world. It certainly has aided the battle against dangerous diseases and has helped us understand the manner in which our bodies function.

Pregnancies have also been affected by technological advances. The in vitro procedure provides couples experiencing reproductive problems with a chance to have their own baby. Other procedures enable ladies know if their unborn child is experiencing any medical problems.

Many people believe that gender selection is a process described solely in sci-fi movies. It sounds just as impossible as the creation of a human clone. The truth, however, is different. Technology is already providing future parents with the opportunity to predetermine the sex of the unborn child. A number of these procedures provide a high percentage of certainty when it comes to the final results.

Here are some of the most commonly used gender selection methods for babies and the manner in which the goal is achieved.

Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis
Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis or PGD is one of the most certain methods in terms of sex selection.

PGD is actually a procedure that permits the screening of an embryo’s health during very early stages of pregnancy. Apart from gender selection, it provides future parents with more information about their baby and potential dangers that the embryo could be exposed to.

The method relies on in vitro fertilization and embryo screening. The problem with the procedure is that it will be very expensive for an average couple. PGD involves the use of many technologies and medical equipment, which brings up the price of the procedure.

Natural Techniques
Natural gender selection techniques can be used, as well, but the chances of success become much lower.

These methods are based on scientific facts rather than on some myths circulated among people. It is true that female and male sperm have the ability to survive in the female reproductive tract for varying time periods.

Having sex several days before ovulation increases chances of having a girl, while an intercourse several hours before ovulation is more likely to lead to the birth of a baby boy.

Sperm Sorting
Sperm sorting is another high-tech methods that helps parents decide on the gender of their unborn child.

MicroSort, as this procedure is known, is a process that helps separate male from female sperm cells. This is done on the basis of DNA material probing.

In vitro procedure follows, once sperm sorting has been performed. One curious fact is that MicroSort has a higher success rate for couples trying to have a girl – 92 percent against 81 percent success rate for couples wishing to have a boy.

One important fact to consider is that technologically enhanced gender selection is still expensive. Most of the methods have been discovered recently, which makes them costly. Natural methods exist, as well, but these are more untrustworthy.

The ethical aspect of sex selection is to be considered, as well. Many conservatives will oppose such practices, since they interfere with natural processes and the manner in which people have been having children for centuries. Deciding on your kid’s gender is entirely up to you. Still, in order to make an informed choice, explore gender selection procedures, their advantages and the shortcomings associated to some of those.

Author Bio: Criss White is a professional writer that writes about pregnancy, babies, and other party planning topics. If you are having a baby, check out these baby boy shower themes and other baby shower ideas.

Category: Parenting
Keywords: gender selection, baby gender selection, gender selection method for babies, picking a baby’s gender