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RECENT  BLOG POSTS

My experience with shettles method

1/1/2018

1 Comment

 
Understand Your Health Through Your Cycle
My mother in law gave me the book on How to Choose the Sex of Your Baby as a bridal shower gift before the wedding. I thought it was interesting and never heard of the book before, never even thought this was possible. She said she had used this method when having her 3 children. She had read an article in the newspaper about in the 1970s. The book was first published in April 1970. Although my husband and I are going to be trying for a boy, I just wanted to say we would both be over the moon if it was a girl too. In the end we just want a healthy happy baby. Since we don't mind the sex of the baby I was curious to see if the Shettles method will work.

After I had read the book I was actually a bit curious about who Landrum B Shettles M.D., Ph.D is? He unfortunately passed away in 2003 at age of 93. But the accomplishments he left behind are astonishing. As an early developer of In Vitro Fertilization,  he experimented with sperm biology. He dedicated his entire life to research and retired only 3 years after his retirement. I am a big advocate of science, so he left a huge footprint on the world and giving families a chance with IVF. 

The success rate continues to be 75% or better for girls and 80% boys and is not 100 percent successful because of many factors are involved. It's mostly a method of timing, and if you are a woman with irregular menstruation it will take some extra work. There are other methods out there, such as the Whelan Method (another timing method), Diet Sex-Selection Method (The Preconception Gender Diet by Sally Langendoen R.N. and William Proctor), PDG (Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis) and IVF which can cost $18k - $20k, but unfortunately most fertility clinics will not use PGD for sex selection purposes. 

If you plan to use the Shettles Method, the first thing you need to do is track your ovulation. I did this with the Ava bracelet, Ovulation Kit, and the Basal Body Thermometer(BBT). In the images below, I used the Sprout+ App to document my basal body temperature each morning to help determine my ovulation date. The average woman's cycle is 28 days and estimate ovulation date would be day 14 of cycle. My cycle length was on average 26.5 days and usually ovulated between days 11 -13. Below are my charts showing how Sprout+ was tracking my ovulation. I did this for 5 months. 
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 I then started using the LH ovulation strips 5 days before my estimate ovulation cycle, tracking LH on days 8 - 13. ​The Ava Bracelet charts below are in blue that will track your resting pulse rate, skin temperature, breathing heart rate, sleep, HRV ration, and Weight. 
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If you are trying for a boy, your best chances are in the 12 hours before ovulation occurs and still have significant chances of conceiving a boy than a girl when intercourse occurs within 24 hours before ovulation. When you are within the 3-4 days of ovulation abstain entirely from any sexual activity that results in male ejaculation, this will increase sperm count. No hot tubs as excessive heat kills sperm. No drugs, prescription or over the counter. Have your partner drink some coffee 15-30 minutes prior to intercourse. The woman trying to conceive a boy should also orgasm before her partner as it increases the alkalinity. 
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If you are trying for a girl, it is recommended to have intercourse 3 days before ovulation. If that doesn't work move it to 2.5 days before ovulation, withhold female orgasm, and shallow penetration. 

The scientific reasons that Shettles state are that male sperm are faster than female sperm but die off faster, they thrive in an alkaline environment vs an acidic environment. Female sperm are slower than male sperm but can survive longer, they can survive in an acidic environment and will wait for the egg for longer period of time before its released.

We were planning for a boy, but we jumped the gun too soon and found out we were having a girl, because I was off on my ovulation dates. I thought I was ovulating soon as the LH strips were showing a positive result but I wasn't at my peak. I believe I ovulated on Thanksgiving 2017 and we were too early as we had intercourse the day before, more than 12 hour mark. 

We found out we were having a girl at 10 weeks through a Prenatal Screen Blood Test with Counsyl. I highly recommend this test for everyone, you can still keep the sex of the baby a surprise. It tests for Trisomy 21, Trisomy 18, and Trisomy 13 with greater accuracy than the California State NIPT test. My insurance did not cover the cost, it was $375 but well worth the cost of a peace of mind of having a healthy baby. 

​If you want a better understanding of Shettles Method I recommend reading the book:
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1st trimester must haves 2018

12/1/2017

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The Sh!t No One Tells You About Pregnancy

​In your first trimester, you will want to grab some kind of pregnancy book to keep you entertained as you wait to find out what is to be expected in the next 9 months. I purchased this book on audible and listened to it in one setting (5 hours 29 minutes). You will appreciate the MOFL  (Moms on the Front Lines) section of the book, it provides you different prospectives from different women who have gone through pregnancy. It will also give you a good laugh. ​
Zahler Prenatal + DHA 300mg Vitamins
​Everyone's body is different and any prenatal vitamin is better than no prenatal vitamin but I SWEAR by these, they are easy to take down and provide 25 essential vitamin and nutrients plus 300 mg of DHA which is important in baby's brain and eye development. It also contains 1000 mg of folate (B-9) versus folic acid which is the synthetic form of folate and prevents serious birth defects and spina bifida. ​
VitaminVape B12 ​
B12 (Cobalamin) is another essential vitamin during pregnancy. I already take a bunch of supplements each day so I opted for the vape pen for this one it has a nice taste of citrus to it. Together with B9 Folate, it produces red blood cells and essential for baby's neural tube, brain, and spinal development. It also helps improves stress and energy levels. I really enjoy this product and used it before pregnancy as well. ​
Zevia Zero Calorie, Ginger Ale, No Caffeine and No Sugar
I've been fortunate not having morning sickness but I do love a good carbonated soda, I fell in love with Zevia caffeine free cola and ginger ale, one because they are zero calories, and second, they are sweetened with Stevia, a natural sweetener that is healthy for you. Stevia comes from a plant and its alkaline. I also like their Sparkling Water with Cucumber Melon. They are so refreshing! If you are looking for something to curb your morning sickness, try the Zevia Ginger Ale. ​
Temanu Oil Organic ​
​I discovered this gem in Bora Bora, French Polynesia on our honeymoon, I saw this in the spa boutique. I am not a fan of lotion and butters but this oil keeps me moisturized and is great for stretch marks. I rub this on my belly and face (yes I said face), this oil prevents acne and is one the best anti aging products, I mix it with my night cream and day facial lotion. It comes from the nuts of a Temanu tree and is cold pressed similar to olives. 
Isagenix Whey Thins ​
If you are having morning sickness, there are a lot of people that will resort to the Saltine crackers, but they have zero nutritional value!!! These crackers are packed with protein (10g) which experts recommend 75 - 100 grams per day for pregnant women which is to help develop fetal tissue including the brain. 
Ultra Soft Cotton Blend Jogger Pants ​
These jogger pants are so soft and comfy to wear exercising and lounge wear, they come in many colors and have pockets. Don't break the bank in buying maternity clothes, these puppies are only $15. Well designed, well made, and super comfortable! You'll want to invest in a couple pairs as you will want to wear them all the time!
Traditional Medicinals Organic Peppermint Herbal Tea
Caffeine Free, and high in alkaline, this tea is great 1-2 cups a day and its great relief for indigestion and nausea. Although, if you have heartburn I would probably stay away, this tea can increase heartburn and GERD. I drink this tea each morning with my supplements. It refreshing hot or cold. ​
Supportive Rectangular Cotton Yoga Bolster
I sit on these yoga bolsters nearly all day, it opens my hips and helps with hip pain I get from sleeping on my side. 2 great poses I use everyday is Sukhasana and Badda Konasana. Here are some great prenatal poses from FitPregnancy. ​
Essential Oil Diffuser Aromatherapy Humidifier

​This amazing machine is on the expensive side but well worth it. Its modern design is made with beech wood and ceramic has an LED light with meditation mode and sleep mode. Its great for allergies as the humidifier improves the air quality and has a timer and safety feature. I use it with the essential oils below.
Eucalyptus oil is a great for nasal congestion and has anti inflammatory properties as well, sometimes I mix with Neroli Oil which helps relieve  anxiety and has anti bacterial properties to promote clear skin. Lavender oil helps eliminate tension and pain and helps induce sleep. I use a few drops of each at night before I go to bed.

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 DISCLAIMER: This is a blog not a website, a website has permanent content and this blog contains the opinion and research information of Jennifer Poe, whom at anytime can change and delete the content posted. Jennifer Poe is not responsible for comments and conversations generated from the blog postings. Since this is an opinion-based blog, these opinions do not reflect the ideas, ideologies, or points of view of any organization I am potentially affiliated with. The information on the blog is authentic to the best of my knowledge but can be prone to errors and absence of key information.  The content of this blog is for entertainment and informative purposes and not to be perceived as professional advice. Readers who rely on this information will be doing so at their own risk. Jennifer Poe has the right to change, add, delete, and decide how to manage the information posted on JenRaePoe.com. This blog contains affiliated links which means at no cost to you, I will earn a commission if clicked on and purchased.  
  • Welcome
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