When it comes to trying to get pregnant, there’s a lot of misinformation out there. Here are some common conception misconceptions (quite tricky to say!) – you may have heard some of these before.
“You need to keep your legs up after sex to increase your chances of getting pregnant.”
This myth has been thoroughly debunked. According to Tommy’s, a registered charity which provides pregnancy health information, the route from the vagina to the womb is not a straight line. Therefore, there’s no need for you to worry about sperm escaping when you stand up. Standing up immediately after intercourse won’t negatively impact your chances of getting pregnant.
“Using lube is a bad idea if you’re trying to conceive.”
There’s no reason why you can’t use lube if you’re trying for a baby – you just need to make sure it’s the right lube! It’s important when trying for a baby that you make sure that whatever lube you’re using, it’s not one which contains spermicide (quite a few of them do). Otherwise you may really be hampering your chances of getting that positive pregnancy result!
“Some sex positions are better for getting pregnant than others.”
There is research out there which both approves and disproves the theory that certain sex positions are better for conceiving. It may be worth trying positions which allow for deeper penetration at the moment of ejaculation, so sperm is released near the cervix. This doesn’t necessarily need to include positions you may only find in the depths of the Karma Sutra! Missionary, cowgirl (women on top) and doggy style all allow for deep penetration.
“If you’re having unprotected sex, you should fall pregnant quickly.”
The NHS states that for every 100 women trying for a baby over the period of a year, 80 to 90 will fall pregnant within the year. However, for some women it may take a while longer. After a year has passed with no pregnancy, it’s worth discussing this with your GP so they can check there aren’t any other factors which are preventing you from conceiving.
“You only need to have frequent sex around ovulation to get pregnant.”
NHS advice states that you should have regular intercourse throughout your cycle to maximise your chances of becoming pregnant. For more information, read our blog post on how often you should be having sex to get pregnant.
“Your body needs time to adjust after you stop taking the pill before having a baby.”
Many women planning a pregnancy want to know more about about trying for a baby after coming off the pill. After you stop taking the pill, it’s recommended you allow your body to have one period before trying to conceive. This is just so if you do fall pregnant, it’s easier to establish how far along you are. However, if you conceive before then, it’s highly unlikely this will have any negative effects on your unborn baby.
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