If you want to get pregnant, sex becomes something more than just a fun activity. You have to focus on changing up your sex routine to maximize the chances of conception. There are no scientific methods that can guarantee a pregnancy. However, you can make small changes to the time and frequency of sex to increase the chance of successful conception.[1]
Best time to have sex
Every menstrual cycle has a ‘fertile window’ that includes the five days before ovulation as well as the day of ovulation itself. This is when you are most fertile, and so you should have sex during this period if you are trying to get pregnant.[2] Two days prior to the ovulation and the day of the ovulation give you the highest probability of pregnancy. If you have sex on those days, you will have the best chance of conceiving.[3]
Important things to know
Ovulation is the process during which your ovary produces a mature egg that can travel all the way down to the uterus through the fallopian tube. When the egg is traveling along the fallopian tube, it can run into the sperm and get fertilized. If you are trying to get pregnant, your goal should be to have live sperm in the Fallopian tubes at the time of your ovulation. This will allow for easy fertilization of the egg. Sperm can stay alive for a period of five days, which gives you the window of three days.[4]
You might not be able to perceive when you are ovulating. You need to keep track of your cycle in order to figure out when you will be ovulating. It is always better to be prepared beforehand.
There are many apps available that will track your menstrual cycle as long as you make regular inputs.[5] You can also go old school and use a calendar to mark dates. Each menstrual cycle begins on the first day of your period and goes on until the day before the start of the next period. The midpoint in the cycle is usually when the ovulation occurs. For a 28-day cycle, the ovulation will occur around day 14, and for a 30-day cycle, you should target day 15.
However, many women do not ovulate at the midpoint of the cycle. If you keep trying this technique without any success, it might be that your ovulation occurs earlier or later than the midpoint. You can consult a doctor for a professional opinion.
If you are simply doubtful and you want to confirm if your ovulation is happening when you think it is, you can keep a lookout for certain signs.
- There is a noticeable change in the consistency of vaginal discharge. The mucus becomes clear and thick when you are ovulating.
- The body’s resting temperature usually rises after ovulation. You can detect the rise in basal body temperature (BBT) with the help of a basal body temperature thermometer. Make sure that you record your temperature every day just after you get up in the morning. If you continue this for a few cycles, you will soon see a pattern indicating your ovulation time frame. Since the temperature rises, once the ovulation is over, this method does not work as an immediate indicator.
If you want something that is even more reliable, you can buy over-the-counter ovulation kits from the drugstore.[6] These tests are designed to detect hormone changes in urine so that you know when you are ovulating. The kits come with detailed instructions. Make sure you follow them as closely as possible.
Which sex positions work the best?
You will often hear conjecture about certain sex positions being better for conception as compared to the rest. There has been no scientific evidence to prove the theories. However, it is possible that certain positions do a better job of making sure that the sperms can float up to the egg. Every male orgasm releases millions of sperm into the vagina at the time of unprotected sex.[7] This means that as long as the sperm enters the vagina during the time of ovulation, it can give rise to a pregnancy.
Missionary and doggie-style positions are great if you are trying to conceive because they lead to deeper penetration.[8] This brings the sperm closer to the cervix. Gravity can work against you, which is why standing and cowgirl positions are not advisable. This does not mean that you should not stand up after sex. Sperm can swim well, and they will reach the cervix in a period of 15 minutes after they are deposited in the vagina. If you stand up, you will not be decreasing your chances of getting pregnant.
However, if you want to go the extra mile, then you can raise your legs in the air or lie flat on your back so that the sperm find it easier to meet the egg. If you put a pillow beneath your lower back, it will help the sperm to keep going in the correct direction.
Frequency of sex
Highly frequent sex can reduce both sperm quality and quantity. Research has found that sperm are of better quality if they are collected after a 3-day abstinence period. Moreover, there have been studies that show rates of conception are higher for couples who have sex one to two days apart.
Having sex once a day or on alternate days during the fertile window will raise your chances of getting pregnant. You should have sex as often as possible, but a schedule may cause unnecessary stress. Go with what feels comfortable for you.[9]
Tips
You can change up your sex practices to increase your odds of conceiving. Follow these tips as well to boost your fertility.
- As a woman, you do not have to climax to get pregnant, but the movement caused by the orgasm can help the sperm reach the destination.
- If your weight is on either extreme, it can reduce your fertility. Exercise will be helpful in keeping your body ready to conceive.
- Smoking can increase the chances of miscarriage and infertility. In men, smoking can reduce the motility of the sperm.
- Do not have coffee or caffeinated drinks in large amounts because caffeine can lower fertility.
Can lubricants reduce the risk of getting pregnant?
There have been some queries as to whether lubricants can influence sperm quality. Lab studies have found that certain water-based lubricants can reduce sperm movement by 60%-100%, which can be detrimental when you are trying to become pregnant.
However, many real couples have reported that lube did not have any negative effects on their fertility. On the contrary, lube can make sex comfortable for the ovulation period when you are having sex frequently.[10] If you want to be on the safe side, you can buy from sperm-friendly lubricant brands.
If you have tried to get
pregnant for a while and not succeeded, you should consult your primary care
doctor. Women below 35 can try for a year before they seek help. Older women
should consult a doctor after 6 months. However, there are no fixed
guidelines, and you can decide to get professional help whenever.
[1] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7477165
[2] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/6586497/
[3] Wallen K. Sex and context: hormones and primate sexual motivation. Horm Behav. 2001;40:339–357. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
[4] Harvey SM. Female sexual behavior: fluctuations during the menstrual cycle. J Psychosom Res. 1987;31:101–110. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
[5] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4127088/
[6] Jöchle W. Current research in coitus-induced ovulation: a review. J Reprod Fertil Suppl. 1975:165–207. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
[7] Roney JR, Simmons ZL. Hormonal predictors of sexual motivation in natural menstrual cycles. Horm Behav. 2013;63:636–645. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
[8] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11098014
[9] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5725625/
[10] Stanislaw H, Rice FJ. Correlation between sexual desire and menstrual cycle characteristics. Arch Sex Behav. 1988;17:499–508. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]