Getting pregnant is not easy for every couple. There are some steps women can take to promote optimal fertility through better health. However, there are also many myths about how pregnancy and fertility work. Knowing what works and what doesn’t can keep couples from wasting time and money on unproven and unscientific remedies.
Here are several myths about pregnancy that many people believe:
Myth: Some sexual positions boost your chances of getting pregnant.
Fact: No sexual position increases the likelihood of pregnancy. Neither does having the female partner stand on her head or lie with her legs up in the air after intercourse. The natural angle of the vagina promotes pooling of semen right where it is supposed to be. Changes in cervical mucus leading up to ovulation help sperm move efficiently into the uterus.
Myth: There are techniques you can use to make sure you conceive a baby that is the gender you want.
Fact: It is not possible to consistently select the sex of a baby through any means when conceiving naturally. It is possible to increase the likelihood of having a baby of the desired gender through sperm sorting prior to artificial insemination. The only way to be certain of selecting the desired gender is by screening embryos prior to transfer during IVF treatment.
Myth: Guys need to rest up for a day or more between sexual encounters to increase the potency of their sperm.
Fact: Men with normal sperm can have sexual intercourse daily. This doesn’t decrease the likelihood of a couple achieving a pregnancy.
Myth: There are pills and supplements you can take to increase male or female fertility.
Fact: There is no magic supplement that enhances fertility. No herb, vitamin, dietary supplement, or wonder food will increase your chances of getting pregnant or help you get conceive sooner.
Myth: Infertility is a problem for women but not for men.
Fact: Actually, in 25% or more of infertility cases, it’s the male factor that is the underlying cause. This is why both partners are tested during fertility treatment.