let's talk about sex, Baby!

Before your imagination runs wild, this isn't gonna be a pervertish R-rated post.

Ever since the birth of bunnikins, the hub and i have been obsessed with babies. Everywhere we go, we'd be oogling at other kids and draw parallel to our own! For the record, i've always been pro-kids but the hub and i were simply not ready financially back then. We waited for 5 years before we we tried. Not that we have struck lottery now though. Even now, with inflation on the go, we are gritting our teeth and sacrificing many luxuries. As such, the topic of kids had always been taboo for us and many a times i'm under the impression that perhaps the hub just like life the way it is -- just the two of us. I was sad and sometimes even embarrassed when relatives pop the question of when i'm having a baby! I evade the question with replies like "maybe next year i'll go to the supermarket to buy one?" or "It's God's will" but the divine intervention will only come to those who are willing to accept help. We were using all sorts of protective methods, so what are the chances of conceiving? Fast forward, the heavens was kind enough to bestowed us the most wonderful and beautiful daughter we could ever dream of. It was however, with much effort and several tries before we hit the jackpot. I've always thought that accidents happen all the time (i mean look at how those drama serials depict?), but each time the menses come, disappointment was written all over my face. 

After K was born in 2011, the hub and I finally sees the joy that a lil one can bring to our life. The joys definitely outweighs the financial burden. Ok, who am I kidding? There were times I do wish that I can strike lottery and stay home with the kid instead of slogging my life! It's really shitty to have to pay so much for playgroups and enrichment and soon, preschool!! Anyway, negativity aside, so these days, there had been talks of having more. One more at least. Age is catching up and I certainly wouldn't like to be categorised under the high-risk group. I haven't got much time but yet, such things can't be rushed. Then again, my raging hormones are running amok! These days, it doesn't help when I hear news of people around me getting preggers soon after no. 1. Don't get me wrong, i'm happy for them, but wonder why they make it seem oh-so-easy! I'm a planner and when things don't go according to plan, I get edgy. It's especially difficult to approach the matter since prior to this, lil bunnikins had crazy and shitty sleeping patterns. Waking up every 1-2hours was a norm already a blessing. Right after we are done with our respective chores and work, thinking that we could finally hit the sack and do it, the bub decides to wake up. Hmmmm...not conducive indeed. Then, there were times when we finally found time, and the hub had to fall ill. I'm constantly annoyed with him being ill as this definitely affects the quality of his sperms. Falling ill isn't within control, but if you choose to binge and eat crap and subject yourself under the scorching fiery sun in the name of golf, then naturally you have only but yourself to blame.  Most of you would know that there's only a small window for ovulation, so yeah, I was an angsty wife. To add to things, the hub's job requires him to fly pretty frequently. Our timings are simply not in sync.

Research have shown that upon weaning the baby from breastmilk, one is most fertile. I was hopeful and decided to wean after 13.5months. I waited, and waited and am still waiting. ....Sigh. 

Anywayz, with the advent of Science and technology there are many schools of thoughts on how to increase your chances of conceiving. So if you are in the market for a new addition, perhaps you may wish to read on:

The Shettles Method

This a child conception idea that is reputed to help determine a baby's sex. It was developed by Landrum B. Shettles in the 1960s and was publicized in the book How to Choose the Sex of Your Baby.

According to the theory, male (Y) sperm are faster but more fragile than female (X) sperm. Further, acidic environments harm Y sperm, according to the theory, making conception of a girl more likely.

Timing of Intercourse 

In order to have a boy insemination should occur as close as possible to the moment of ovulation so that the faster, Y-sperm arrive first and achieve conception, according to the theory. When seeking a girl insemination the couple should seek to have sex 2½ to 3 days before ovulation.

Sexual Position

Shallow penetration coupled with the sperm deposited close to the entrance favors female conception because the area is more acidic, which inhibits the weaker Y sperm, according to the theory. To allow the Y sperm to reach the egg first (which supposedly moves at a faster rate), deeper penetration should be sought, to deposit the sperm at the least acidic area near the uterus opening.

Orgasms

Female Orgasm favors male sperm because they make the vaginal environment more alkaline.

My thoughts: Anyone tried and was successful after using this method? It sounds pretty legitimate though it's not proven. Would really love for bunnikins to have a baby brother. The pressure's on me (though technically it's the contributor of the Y chromosome who has the blame) as both sides of the family does not have an internal grandson! apparently all the grandsons have gone to the maternal sides!

Traditional Chinese Medicine

I'm a strong believer of Chinese meds. In fact, prior to having BB k, i sought help from my TCM physician to recalibrate my body. I was constantly plagued with migraines and tried various ways to cure, but to no avail. Finally after seeing him for only 3 months, not only my migraines went away, I was pregnant! Woo hoo! One has to be really determined and disciplined though. I was told to avoid a whole lot of food: Fried stuff (Oh my KFC and all time favourite prawn-paste chicken wings!), Kang kong, seafood, meat except pork, melons, fruits....at the end of the consultation, my question to him was : What then, can I eat? His reply: Rice and hot water. Plenty of hot water! haha. Kidding? Nope. he was darn serious. But of coz this in reality is impossible! I mean my favourite veg is Kang Kong and I would die if you shut me off from crabs...and the MIL boils awesome melon soup and to avoid drinking would equate to not giving her respect! But I did try to abide by the rules. Well, at least 90% of the time. People around met thought i was mad. Even during pregnancy, I avoided heaps and the MIL could not understand why. You see, in the world of TCM, a harmless root like carrot could neutralize the effects of the meds. Kangkong and some other veggies are known to be "cooling" thus not good for the womb as you need to keep it warm to house the fertilized zygote. Meat decomposes fast so it could mess up your tummy. Fruits -- his logic was that there's heaps of pesticides and even if it's organic, we can't be 100% sure. No cold drinks because Singapore' climate is hot and you are forcing your body to be at loggerheads with the weather. as such, problems may arise. It was really tough to play this game and many a times, i craved for an ice cold beer instead of that hot boiled water. Nevertheless I pushed on. After giving birth however, I whacked my seafood like never before and occasionally gave in to a glass of ice cold fruit juice! Guilty pang struck me all the time. 

My thoughts: I don't know if it really aided me to conceive K, but it definitely worked for my migraine, so looks like I'd better get my diet back on track again! URGH

 

Knowing your ovulation (Clear Blue)

To improve the odds of conception, a friend has recommended me the Clear Blue ovulation monitor. The Clearblue Fertility Monitor is the most advanced home method of maximising your chances of getting pregnant.

Research shows that the Clearblue Fertility Monitor increases the chances of conceiving by 89% over the first two cycles of use.

Most home ovulation tests identify the 2 peak fertility days during your cycle by detecting the surge in Luteinising Hormone (LH) that triggers ovulation. The Clearblue Fertility Monitor is unique as it tracks 2 hormones to typically identify up to 6 fertile days – it not only shows you your 2 peak fertility days, it can also inform most women of an extra 1-5 days of high fertility prior to their peak fertility. Since your partner’s sperm can survive in your body for several days, making love on all of these days can lead to conception. 

My thoughts: LOVE LOVE LOVE this gadget! gets rid of all the guess work on when your ovulation day is! however, I've recently tried looking for the sticks and was told it's discontinued!!

Diet

You may be able to improve the chances of conceiving a baby boy by making certain changes to your diet. When more alkaline, the cervical fluid will be more conducive for the sperm that carry the Y chromosomes that are needed to fuse with the eggs to conceive a baby boy. The midwives of olden times emphasized the ability of the diet to affect the gender of the baby.

Foods

*Apples
*Apricots
*Avocado
*Bananas (Ripe)
*Grapefruit
*Grapes
*Lemons
*Lime
*Oranges
*Pears
*Peach
*Pineapples
*Raisins
*Strawberries
*Tomato's
*Watermelon (seedless)

*Potato's
*Celery
*Broccoli
*Garlic
*Green Beans
*Green Peas
*spinach

*Red meat

*Egg whites only

Drinks

*Pineapple juice

*tomato juice

*V8 Juice

*Lemon water- When you drink it it become super alkaline and is great for raising your ph level.

*Green Tea- Helps cm and improves your fertility.

*Baking soda drink (1/2 teaspoon into 1/2 glass a water. Stir to all baking soda is dissolved. Don't do this more then 7 times a day and for no longer then 2 weeks. Af-Ovulation)

*Tips*

Avoid Dairy and calcium. Try to look for foods that are very low in calcium. Dairy and calcium sways for girls.

Add salt to meals.. Helps to raise pH.

Potassium is found in the skin of some fruits and vegetables.

Foods

*Cranberries

*Cheese

*Corn

*Green beans,

*Blue berries

*Plums

*leeks

*Sour cream

*Cream

*yogurt-Organic

* Pasta

*White Rice

*Corn cereal or puffed rice.

*Fish

*Chicken

*eggs whole

* Lamb- loin or chops.

*fermented foods

Drinks

*Milk

*Cranberry juice

*Wine

* Raspberry Herbal Tea- helps lower ph.

*Crystal light- helps lower ph

* Drinks with aspertame in it- not fizzy.

 

The above are obtained from www.justmommies.com. 

My thoughts: So strange that drinking lemon/ lime/ pineapple juice will aid to having an alkaline environment! aren't these stuff super acidic??

 Chinese Gender Calendar

Legend says that the gender chart is more than 700 years old and was discovered in a royal tomb. It predicts your baby's sex based on your Chinese lunar age at the time you got pregnant and the Chinese lunar month in which you conceived.

My thoughts: The strange thing is, I found various variation of the calendar. hmmmm..

Apart from these, of course, one should not smoke/ drink and should keep stress at bay (yah, easier said than done in sunny speedy Singapore!). Good Luck to all of you who are trying!! If you have any tips to share, please drop me a comment! =)