Q: Hello Doc, please I don’t know how to calculate my free periods and ovulation. I need some education on it and my period lasts for three days.

Another variation of this question that I’ve been asked is:

Q: How do I calculate my ovulation cycle so that I can conceive a male child?

A: It is believed in some circles,that having sexual intercourse on the day of ovulation is almost a sure-fire way of ensuring you have a baby boy 😀 Unfortunately, this is a case of no fire as there’s no way choosing sex…well except for some couples who go for in-vitro fertlization and are given the option of sex selection. Before you start thinking about this, trust me, this is not offered indiscriminately! So, there!

Using the rhythm method, if you have a regular 28 day cycle (a cycle is the first day of your menstrual period to the first day of the next menstrual period), then you ovulate on the 14th day and that day is your best bet for having a baby boy. However, if your periods vary, then you’ll have to keep track of your menstrual cycles for 6 months to a year. Then subtract 18 from your shortest cycle. The number you get is the first fertile day you have. Eg, if your shortest cycle is 25, taking away 18 gives 7. So, day 7 is the first day of your fertile period. Then, subtract 11 from your longest cycle to get your last fertile day for each cycle. If 35 days is your longest cycle, then your last fertile day in each cycle is 35-11=24. Day 24 is your last fertile day. So, having sexual intercourse during this period ensures pregnancy. And of course, avoiding it on these days, may prevent pregnancy. Other methods that will rightly predict ovulation day include checking the Basal Body temperature and cervical mucous.

Visiting your closest family planning clinic may be helpful to provide specific guidance.

Remember though, that these are theoretical guides, at best. If it were this easy, all the women who want specific sexes would not be constantly trying. Nothing is cast in stone! Enjoy the wonderful babies, awesome gifts of God, which you have been given. Male or female, bring them up with the right values and they will do awesome things.

And, by the way, periods can range from 3 days to 7 days. So there’s nothing strange in that 🙂

Cheers 😀