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What Is the O+12 Method?

Can I really boost my chances of conceiving a girl through the O+12 method? How does it work?
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Always dreamed of having a little girl? There’s a system in place that might up your chances beyond the 50/50 mark. Known as O plus 12, it stands for “Ovulation plus 12 hours.” That’s about the time, according to believers, when you should get busy. There is some nugget of science behind the theory, which holds that eggs are more likely to admit an x-containing sperm (the kind you need to have a girl) if they are fertilized about 12 hours after ovulation.

The difficulty comes in determining just when your egg pops out of the ovary. It’s almost impossible to accurately calculate your ovulation down to the very hour that it occurs, and even some of the more popular methods (body temperature, cervical mucus, ovulation prediction kits) are highly inaccurate. (To say nothing about the pressure you may be putting on your partner to perform at that very moment.) If you’re intent on having a girl and want to give it a try, have fun, but just remember your odds of having a boy or girl are generally the same no matter what time of day you decide to make a baby.

Plus More From The Bump:

Please note: The Bump and the materials and information it contains are not intended to, and do not constitute, medical or other health advice or diagnosis and should not be used as such. You should always consult with a qualified physician or health professional about your specific circumstances.

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