The sex positions most AND least likely to lead to pregnancy, according to experts… and why wannabe parents should avoid gravity-defying maneuvers
If you’re looking to get pregnant, you’ve probably found a plethora of tips online – from having sex more often to tracking ovulation and patterns.
But sex experts told DailyMail.com that your preferred position could play a major role in increasing your chances of getting pregnant.
They recommend deeper, more penetrative positions that bring the penis as close as possible to a woman’s cervix, which connects the uterus and vagina and where an egg is fertilized by sperm.
Goody Howard, a sexologist at Ask Goodya sex education platform, said that for this reason reverse cowgirl and doggy style are the two best options, followed by missionary.
She also encouraged men to abstain from masturbating as they need to conserve their semen volume, which transports sperm to the egg.
Sex experts have said that your preferred position can affect your chances of getting pregnant
And don’t skimp on foreplay, especially when it comes to female satisfaction, because that orgasm could give the sperm an easier journey, according to Ms. Goody.
“Reverse cowgirl is the best position for getting pregnant,” she told DailyMail.com, where the woman turns away from her partner and sits on top of her partner.
“You’re as close as you can when ejaculation happens,” she said. This also allows the sperm to follow a straight path.
Ms Goody also noted that penetration from the rear is a close second when it comes to getting the penis as close to the cervix as possible.
The ideal position for conceiving has been little researched as it can be difficult to measure and monitor, although several fertility charities also endorse the practice.
Fertilization occurs when sperm meets an egg. It usually takes place in a fallopian tube that connects an ovary to the uterus. If the fertilized egg successfully travels through the fallopian tube and implants in the uterus, an embryo begins to grow.
Ms Goody said couples desperate for children should avoid positions like regular cowgirl and standing, as it can be difficult to keep the penis close to the cervix all the time.
In cowgirl, “you rely on your own body weight to control the depth of the penis, and it can be difficult to maintain that endurance,” she said.
Moreover, Mrs. Goody pointed to the missionary, as long as the woman is at the bottom. “Make sure to spread your knees as wide as possible to deepen the penetration,” she said. ‘Otherwise there is too much space.’
Goody Howard, a sexologist at AskGoody, said positions that bring the penis as close to the cervix as possible are crucial for increasing the chances of conception.
Dr. Samantha Briguglio, a naturopathic fertility doctor at Inito Fertility, posted on TikTok that female orgasms can increase pregnancy risk
Meanwhile, it turns out that more sex can lead to pregnancy, because practice makes perfect.
A study in it Translational Andrology and UrologyFor example, it turned out that more frequent sex leads to stronger sperm.
Dr. Patti Haebe, a naturopathic doctor specializing in fertility and senior medical advisor for the Premom Fertility App, said in a TikTok video, “The more sex you have, the more the testes are in sperm production mode.”
However, Ms Goody advises men to masturbate less when trying to conceive. “They need as many swimmers as possible to ejaculate during sex,” she said.
“Otherwise you’ll just be wasting sperm.”
According to the Mayo Clinic, “too little sperm at ejaculation can make it more difficult to become pregnant because there are fewer candidates available to fertilize the egg.”
However, women can “masturbate as much as they want,” Ms. Goody said.
And don’t forget about foreplay, especially when it comes to female satisfaction.
There is no research linking the female orgasm to conception, although one study looked at the link between a woman’s orgasm and the number of children they have.
The study, published in Animal behaviorevaluated 8,000 female twins and siblings who were asked how often they had sex, how often they orgasmed, and whether they had trouble reaching climax. They were also asked how many children they had.
The researchers found that those who had more frequent orgasms tended to have more children, although they acknowledged that the link was weak.
Dr. Samantha Briguglio, a naturopathic fertility doctor at Inito Fertility, posted on TikTok that female orgasms can increase pregnancy risk.
“Research has shown that during an orgasm, your body undergoes a series of physiological responses that can increase the chances of conception,” she said.
‘One of those changes is a rhythmic contraction of your pelvic muscles, creating a ‘pumping’ effect, which may allow the sperm to get closer to the cervix.’
Ms. Goody noted that when a woman has an orgasm, the lining of the cervix thins and the vaginal canal lengthens, “which prepares the vagina for sex.”
“You’re basically preheating the oven,” she said.
‘The most important thing is that you spend enough time on foreplay. I think at least about 10 to 15 minutes.”
And if you’re trying to get pregnant, choose your lube carefully, as some may contain spermicides, which are specifically designed to prevent sperm from reaching an egg.
‘Sometimes lubricant can provide an extra layer for the sperm to pass through, reducing the chance of it reaching the egg,’ Ms Goody said.
She recommends the Pre-Seed lubricant, which is water-based and specifically designed to help sperm fertilize an egg.
And while you can lean your bottom against a pillow after sex to keep the semen flowing in the right direction, Ms. Goody notes that this isn’t necessary.
“The sperm will get where it needs to go pretty quickly,” she said.