Sex and making a baby
Everybody
has their opinion about the best sexual positions for baby making and while there hasn’t been a
conclusive study it does seem to make sense that positions that ensure your
partner’s sperm is deposited as close to your cervix as possible are more likely
to succeed.
Many experts agree that the missionary position (man on top) is the
most effective as it allows deeper penetration and gravity brings sperm closest
to the cervix. Many women swear by putting a pillow under their hips to angle
the cervix towards the greatest concentration of semen. Some experts suggest
that women stay in bed (in a horizontal position) for up to an hour after
intercourse, as this allows the sperm additional travel time up the fallopian
tube towards the egg. If you have a tipped uterus, (or need a bit of variety)
having sex from behind, on all fours, can help as this gives sperm better
access to the cervix.
Sex in the morning?
Although
no statistics are available to show that making love at particular times in the
day are better than others, sperm counts are generally higher in the morning.
Men also have the strongest sexual urges when they first wake up, so mornings
are a good time to try.
Positions to avoid
Avoid
straddling your partner, woman on top, sitting or standing, as these positions
cause the semen to leek out and may result in fewer sperm making their way to
the egg. Making love in water can cause a change in the vaginal mucus needed
for proper sperm passage, and chlorine from swimming pools can create a hostile
environment for sperm.
Stress
Babymaking
can be stressful if you don't fall pregnant as each month goes by. Lots of
couples find it a strain to 'feel sexy' when there’s so much pressure involved.
Relax and try not to think too much about conceiving each time you make love. Use
our ovulation calculator to work out which days you’re most
fertile over the next year. Now all you have to do is book a weekend away so
you’re both relaxed and have as much sex as you like!
Remember the statistics
Around 90 percent of women in their twenties
will become pregnant within a year of trying, and the rest still have a good
chance of becoming pregnant within in another year or so. Women in their
thirties have a lower chance of conceiving after a year of trying and by the
time you’re 35, you’re half as fertile as when you were 25.Although it’s
quite common for men in their forties, fifties and sixties to successfully
father children, age does decrease a man’s fertility as well. For older
men it can take years for their partners to fall pregnant as opposed to a man
in his twenties, so holding off to get pregnant if one or both of you are over
35 will dramatically lower your chances. It’s also worth remembering that the
incidence of chromosomal abnormalities.
If
you haven't had any luck conceiving after six months of unprotected sex, see your physician, who can
refer you to a fertility specialist.
Still
have questions you need answers to? If so, visit our questions page
or chat forum…
The information in this feature is intended for
educational purposes only. If you have any concerns about your health, the
health of your child or the health of someone you know, please consult with a
doctor or other healthcare professional.
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Last Modified: 03/05/2007
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