The only sure way to have a baby boy, according to In-Gender.com, is to use the high-tech method of preimplantation genetic diagnosis. This method involves fertilizing the egg with sperm in a laboratory, then testing the resulting embryos to determine their gender. Any male embryos are then implanted in the woman’s uterus. This method is expensive, and some say it is unethical. There are other, less-extreme methods on conceiving a baby boy, but none of them are fail-proof.

Many women dream of having a baby girl, but there is only one sure way to conceive a baby girl, according to the Stanford School of Medicine. That way, called preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD), involves fertilizing an egg, then testing the embryo to find out if it’s a boy or girl before implanting it in the uterus. This expensive procedure is controversial but allowable for family balancing in some countries, including the United States. There are other, less invasive, ways of increasing your chances of conceiving a girl.

Most women want to know as soon as possible whether or not they are pregnant. Home pregnancy tests allow you to find out in the comfort and privacy of your own home. While some tests claim to be able to tell you before you menstruate, pregnancy tests are most accurate when taken a few days after you have missed your first period.