Are there any sex positions to get pregnant easier?
When you want to have a child quickly (or have some difficulty conceiving), one of the most frequently asked questions is whether there is a position to get pregnant more easily .
In this article, we’ll explore this topic in depth and try to answer the most common questions about the link between sex position and pregnancy probability .
As we will see, these are mostly false myths , which have no scientific backing.
In fact, to promote fertilization, what matters most is having intercourse on the fertile days of the cycle , as well as following a healthy lifestyle and a balanced diet .
What are the best positions to get pregnant?
Among the positions suggested to facilitate conception, we find those that allow the seminal fluid to be deposited closer to the uterine cervix, such as:
- the missionary , in which the woman is lying on her back (even better if with a pillow under her pelvis) and the man is lying on top of her;
- the side-lying or “spoon” position , in which the man is behind the woman and both are lying on their sides.
In addition, all positions that allow for deep penetration are usually recommended , such as:
- the scissors position , a variation of the classic missionary in which the woman rests her legs on the man’s shoulders;
- the “from behind” position , in which the woman is on all fours and the man kneels behind her.
On the contrary, anything that “defies” the force of gravity is not recommended , as in the case of standing positions or in which the woman is on top of the man .
The recommended positions in case of a retroverted uterus
In this particular anatomical condition, the woman’s uterus is tilted backwards instead of towards the abdomen.
For this reason, among the positions to get pregnant with a retroverted uterus, the airplane position (or cowgirl ) is especially cited , in which the man lies on his back and the woman is kneeling above him, with her back to him.
However, the missionary position is not recommended .
Is there really an ideal position to get pregnant?
In fact, not many studies are available on this topic. However, based on current knowledge, we can say that there is no best position to conceive .
This statement also holds true for women with a retroverted uterus . On the other hand, those with this particular condition may actually feel discomfort or pain in the missionary position and therefore dislike it.
What matters most to increase the chances of getting pregnant is having intercourse close to ovulation , i.e. in the most fertile period of the menstrual cycle.
In fact, during the ovulatory period, the cervical mucus is elastic and stringy, and thanks to these characteristics it facilitates the movement of the spermatozoa , allowing them to reach the cervix, the uterus and the tubes, to reach the egg cell to be fertilized.
Does holding a particular position after intercourse help conception?
Another very common question is whether it is necessary to lie down after intercourse to get pregnant and for how long .
In fact, there are even special cushions on the market , to be placed under the pelvis for about 15 minutes after ejaculation, which would have the purpose of facilitating the ascent of the spermatozoa towards the tubes
Again, this is a superfluous strategy. In fact, sperm can reach their destination even against the force of gravity .
In the absence of different indications from the gynecologist, we can therefore say that it is not necessary to assume a particular position after intercourse to increase the chances of getting pregnant .
What if after sexual activity you notice some of your seminal fluid leaking out?
Don’t worry, this event is completely normal and does not prevent conception . As soon as ejaculation takes place in the vaginal canal, in fact, a good part of the sperm is “captured” by the cervical mucus and immediately begins its journey.
Is it necessary to have an orgasm to get pregnant?
Again, the answer is no: a woman can get pregnant even without an orgasm .
Nonetheless, female orgasm may actually aid conception because it causes uterine contractions that can help sperm travel back up the fallopian tubes (where fertilization can occur).
Consequently, in order to become pregnant more easily, it would seem logical to advise women to choose the sexual position they find most pleasurable and fulfilling .
Positions to conceive a boy or a girl
One last myth to dispel is the one concerning the sexual position to get pregnant with a boy or a girl.
According to a theory from the 1970s, in fact, the positions that allow for deeper penetration would favor Y spermatozoa (carriers of the male chromosome), considered smaller and faster.
Conversely, the positions to conceive a female would instead be those in which the seminal fluid is deposited furthest from the uterus, such as missionary . Sperm X (bearers of the female chromosome) would in fact be slower, but able to survive longer.
This theory is part of the so-called Shettles method, named after the doctor who is its author.
More recent studies, however, have not shown any link between the position taken during intercourse and the sex of the child.
In conclusion
- Having intercourse at the right time is more important than adopting a particular position during sexual activity.
- To increase the chances of getting pregnant, it is very useful to learn to recognize your fertile period and have frequent intercourse around ovulation (preferably every other day).
In the stork’s beak!
Kathryn Barlow is an OB/GYN doctor, which is the medical specialty that deals with the care of women's reproductive health, including pregnancy and childbirth.
Obstetricians provide care to women during pregnancy, labor, and delivery, while gynecologists focus on the health of the female reproductive system, including the ovaries, uterus, vagina, and breasts. OB/GYN doctors are trained to provide medical and surgical care for a wide range of conditions related to women's reproductive health.