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You want to have a baby. You long to hear the pitter-pat of little feet on the tile floor, and hearing those words “mama” and “dada” is your most sought-after goal.
Before getting pregnant, many women have a lot of questions. What sexual positions are best for conceiving? When is the best time in my menstrual cycle to become pregnant?
Of course, not every woman is ready to have a baby. Those who don’t want to become pregnant are asking questions like, “When during my cycle do I particularly avoid having sex?” and, “Do I still need birth control if I’ve never had an orgasm?”
Perhaps you’ve heard different answers to each of these questions from friends, a great-aunt, or the woman next to you on the bus. In general conversation, myths still mingle with facts. But whether you want to conceive a child or avoid conception, you need to determine what’s fact and what’s fiction. A special person is here to help: Your OB/GYN physician is the best source of accurate information and has time for conversations about family planning and the important decisions you are making.
 This article draws information from a book by our own Drs. Shawn Tassone and Kathryn Landherr, Hands Off My Belly! The Pregnant Woman’s Guide to Myths, Mothers and Moods. Drs. Tassone and Landherr are physicians at La Dea Women’s Health, a member of Genesis OB/GYN. Please read on for straight answers to two common myths regarding conception and pregnancy.
1. Myth: Today is the 14th day of my menstrual cycle, so I won’t get pregnant.
Not necessarily true. Let’s look at some basics of the menstrual cycle. There are two distinct phases. The first phase begins right after menstrual bleeding stops and continues until ovulation. For women on a 28-day cycle, ovulation occurs in the middle of the cycle, about day 14. But this phase can vary in length from woman to woman and from month to month. As you know, ovulation occurs when an egg is released from the ovary. The egg has a 24-hour life span, while sperm can have a life span of several days. During the second stage, which begins at ovulation and continues until you start bleeding, you CAN become pregnant.
2. Myth: I was told that certain sexual positions are better than others for conceiving. Is there a sexual position that can increase chances of conception?
Reality: Although no definitive scientific studies answer this question, theories abound. Couples have been having sex in the “man-on-top” missionary positions for centuries, and this seems to work well for most couples. It’s a position that maximizes the amount of sperm deposited on the cervix and increases the amount of time it stays there. If you can stay lying down comfortably after intercourse, this will help keep your partner’s semen in the vagina and potentially increase the return on your investment, because his sperm has a greater chance of making it into the birth canal. You may want to avoid positions where gravity is not working in your favor, such as the “woman-on-top” positions. If you straddle your partner, for instance, there is a greater chance that his semen will flow away from your cervix and even run out of you.
There are many other common questions regarding conception, infertility, pregnancy and family planning. Here are a few more you’ll find answered in Hands Off My Belly! (Learn more about the book.)
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I’m 35 years old and want to start a family. I’ve heard that my chances of getting pregnant are less than when I was 20.
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I’m presently breastfeeding so I can’t get pregnant, right?
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I was told if I have sex during my period I can’t get pregnant. Is this true?
As you think about these kinds of questions, the knowledgeable physicians at Genesis OB/GYN are ready to start an important conversation with you, one that’s sensitive and confidential, practical and informative.
Pre-conception counseling with your doctor is a great way to start the biggest endeavor of your life. And it’s just as important to get contraceptive counseling if you want to prevent pregnancy. Call your Genesis physician for an appointment today. We’re here to help.
Wishing you good health from the Genesis OB/GYN family of physicians.
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