Along the path to conception there are many myths and evidence-free beliefs that can divert us. Most of these are harmless unless you give them undue credence, which can affect your peace of mind.
There is actually quite a following of eating McDonald’s fries for fertility success! This one was apparently started by a doctor recommending patients at risk for ovarian hyper stimulation syndrome (OHSS) to eat salty foods after egg collection! It’s now become a fertility fact in many infertility forums, however there is no scientific evidence to support this. It is going in our list of fertility myths!
Let’s start at the beginning of the journey with a few common sayings regarding sex, the first recourse to becoming pregnant.
- Proposition: Having sex in certain positions will help you get pregnant.
- Determination: Oh no, it won’t
The reason for this being that there is no single straight line between the vagina and the womb and that the momentum of the sperm is unaffected by the direction of gravity.
However, if different positions help you enjoy sex then it can’t hurt. The more fun, often and spontaneous, the better the chances of conception.
- Proposition: Lying down with your legs up after sex will help you get pregnant
- Determination: Oh no, it won’t
Again, the momentum and direction of sperm is not determined by gravity, and there is no straight line between the vagina and the womb. There’s no danger in this practice, but it adds an unnecessary, non-spontaneous ritual to lovemaking that most couples can probably do without. It makes no more sense than the male partner standing on his head in a corner of the room after sex.
- Proposition: To conceive, you need to have sex every day when you are ovulating
- Determination: Oh no, you don’t, well not quite
You don’t need to have sex every day, but it is a good idea to have sex three times a week as this will allow most fertile couples to conceive. Regular sex is one of the most important things you can do to optimize your fertility.
- Proposition: Using lubricants like baby oil is fine for those trying to conceive
- Determination: Definitely not!
Many lubricants, including baby oil, vegetable oils and commercial lubricants, are spermicidal or inhibitory. And don’t be deceived into thinking that just because a preparation is labelled as ‘natural’ that it will be sperm-friendly. So, always use a specialist sperm-friendly preparation.
- Proposition: A woman’s most fertile time is the six days of her cycle ending on the day she ovulates
- Determination: Yes. This is true
Sexual intercourse that occurs within the three days ending on the day of ovulation offers the best chance for pregnancy, with the highest pregnancy rates seen when intercourse happens the day before ovulation. In general, the average woman is most fertile around days 12-14 of her cycle.
- Proposition: Men should store up sperm for baby-making during the woman’s non-fertile time
- Determination: Oh no, they shouldn’t!
Storing up sperm by not ejaculating is negative for sperm production, and even daily ejaculation doesn’t harm sperm quality or numbers. In fact, research data suggests that ejaculating at least every two days is good and every day ejaculation is best for sperm production, even for men with poorer quality sperm and lower sperm counts.
- Proposition: Don’t do heavy stuff
- Determination: Potentially good advice
Research at Harvard University in the US showed that women who routinely lifted heavy loads as part of their working life, such as nurses produced lower quality eggs, so there is something in this, even if researchers are unsure what the mechanism might be. So when it comes to that mattress, coffee table, or big box of shopping pretend to be extra dainty and get your partner to lift it for you. It might also be a good idea to avoid sexual Olympics in the bedroom!
- Proposition: being on the pill for a long time has a negative effect on chances of becoming pregnant
- Determination: Oh, no it won’t
There is no evidence for this whatsoever, and many women become pregnant the moment they come off the pill. However, some women prefer to wait for a cycle or two so that they can time their fertile window more accurately. Other women who are using the pill to regulate periods may return to their pre-pill irregular cycles so waiting a cycle or two won’t make much difference in these cases.
Hopefully, that clears up a few myths about trying to conceive, although there there are many more. Generally most experts agree that fertility is improved, for various reasons when sex is fun, spontaneous, and frequent.
With that in mind it’s probably best to avoid ritualising it or turning it into a clockwork, baby-making chore and instead take advantage of the fact that frequent sex, and the bonding with one’s partner that goes with it, can be a positive upside for those trying for a child.
