Sex Positions to Boost Your Chances of Getting Pregnant

By (embryologist) and (fertility counselor).
Last Update: 12/17/2015

When a woman is trying to conceive, many doubts about how to make the process more successful arise. The following is a common question on this matter: are some sex positions better than others when it comes to increasing the chances of conceiving a baby?

Experts in reproductive medicine have reached the conclusion that no sex position is better or worse than others and, to date, there is no scientific proof that certain sex positions may increase the odds of getting pregnant.

Provided below is an index with the 3 points we are going to expand on in this article.

Best sex position to conceive

Some experts do recommend that, right after ejaculation, the woman remains lying face-up for 5-10 minutes, since it is a way to make it easier for the sperm to reach the female reproductive tract.

This is not necessary actually, because during intercourse, the semen expelled by the man remains on the cervix, that is, the entrance to the uterus. The volume of the uterus is around 0.5 ml and the average semen produced at ejaculation is approximately 2 ml. This means there is no possible way that all the semen expelled gets inside the uterus. That is the reason why some semen leakage after intercourse it totally normal, since it is due to this excessive volume of sperm.

However, this sex position is advisable mainly because the woman is more relaxed and comfortable, something that at the same time boosts pelvic relaxation and paves the way for sperm to make it to the Fallopian tubes, reach the egg, and fertilize it. It is not a matter of defying gravity, but rather of being relaxed, thus increasing the odds of achieving a natural pregnancy.

Not becoming obsessed with how to have sexual intercourse is crucial. Always trying to make things "right" when trying to conceive might be counter-productive. Both the man and the woman should be relaxed and enjoying the very moment; otherwise, you may complicate the sperm's journey towards the egg, hindering therefore embryo implantation into the woman's womb.

Intercourse frequency

Rather than paying attention to sex positions, particular importance should be attached to intercourse timing and frequency when trying to get pregnant.

Engaging into sexual intercourse during the woman's fertile window is essential. Most fertile days begin about day 14 and end about day 16 of the menstrual cycle among women with a regular 28-day cycle. In cases of women with an irregular menstrual cycle, the most recommendable is to take an ovulation test to get the timing right when the period is expected to start.

As for the man, it may be beneficial that he refrains from sexual intercourse no longer than 3 days before having sex. Contrary to common belief—the more sperm, the better chance of pregnancy—, when a man does not ejaculate for several days, sperm quality diminishes due to oxidative stress. Thus, long periods of sexual abstinence are not recommended. The best thing is to have sex during the first two days following the most fertile days, that is, days 15 and 16 in women with a regular 28-day cycle, or the following days after a positive ovulation test.

While there is no need to feel obliged to do it, trying to have intercourse during the woman's fertile window is advisable. Nonetheless, we insist in the fact that it should not become an obligation or an obsession. Chances of getting pregnant naturally within a month are between 18 and 22%. The mindset while trying to conceive should be all about staying positive and remember that if you don't achieve it this month, you should keep on trying over the following months.

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Author

 Cristina Mestre Ferrer
Cristina Mestre Ferrer
B.Sc., M.Sc.
Embryologist
Bachelor's Degree in Biological Sciences, Genetics & Human Reproduction from the University of Valencia (UV). Master's Degree in Biotechnology of Human Assisted Reproduction from the UV and the Valencian Infertility Institute (IVI). Embryologist at IVI Barcelona. More information about Cristina Mestre Ferrer
Adapted into english by:
 Sandra Fernández
Sandra Fernández
B.A., M.A.
Fertility Counselor
Bachelor of Arts in Translation and Interpreting (English, Spanish, Catalan, German) from the University of Valencia (UV) and Heriot-Watt University, Riccarton Campus (Edinburgh, UK). Postgraduate Course in Legal Translation from the University of Valencia. Specialist in Medical Translation, with several years of experience in the field of Assisted Reproduction. More information about Sandra Fernández

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