Fertility Tracking & Conception Timing: Optimizing Your Chances

Question
I am 23. I have one son. The date of my last menstrual period was 6/23/2004. Ok My husband and I are trying to conceive baby #2! I have been charting but have a few questions. I have 30-33 day cycles normally. For the past 2 cycles I have Ovulated on cycle day 19. But have Ovulated as early as cycle day 17. And my luteal phase is 11 days. So with that information when would be the best time to have sex for maximal conception to occur? I also do not have much cervical fluid if that makes any difference. We would love to have a girl, but I have read that a 3 day cut-off favors a girl? But if I have the cervical fluid for the sperm to survive for that long? What would you suggest? I am taking Evening Primrose Oil (2000mg) a day until Ovulation to try a increase my cervical fluid. Any insight would be great! Also my luteal phase for the past 2 cycles has been 11 days, is that a sign of low progestrone?  Thanks!  

Answer
If yoo have ovulated on cycle day #17-19, and have a 30-33 day cycle, your luteal phase is 13-14 days, not 11. Intercourse on the day of ovulation favors both a male infant and a female iinfant.. Intercourse one or two days before or after ovulation favors a girl.  I would be more concerned now with merely conceiving, no matter what sex the baby is. There are ways to increase the chances of a boy or a girl. Check out Shettle's article "How to Choose the Sex of Your Baby."  You may also try to use some Robitussin (the same as one takes for a cold) to increase the quality of the cervical mucus. It works better than Evening Primrose Oil. I would just continue having sex around ovulation day. I do not know why you believe that you have a short luteal phase, but if you do, it is easy to get a progesterone titer. If it is less than 10, you can take progesterone supplements. Good Luck.