When To Have Sex To Get Pregnant?

When couples are preparing to conceive a child, they might explore different aspects of sexual activity for getting pregnant. They may have questions about the optimal positions and frequency of sex to increase the chances of getting pregnant.

Many couples may view the process of getting pregnant as a straightforward event where sperm fertilizes an egg, resulting in embryo development and pregnancy. However, various factors related to sexual activity may influence the likelihood of successful pregnancy. Additionally, important considerations include the timing of intercourse and the overall health of the couple.¹

Continue reading this article ‘When to Have Sex to Get Pregnant‘ to discover the optimal timing, frequency, and intercourse positions for boosting your chances of getting pregnant.

Establishing the best time for sexual intercourse to maximize the chances of getting pregnant

Engaging in sexual intercourse without the use of protection during the period of ovulation, when the egg is released from the ovary and can be fertilized by sperm, can enhance the likelihood of getting pregnant. For women with a consistent 28-day menstrual cycle, ovulation typically occurs approximately 14 days following the commencement of their last period.²

The timing of ovulation is influenced by the length of the menstrual cycle and can vary from one cycle to the next. Therefore, it is generally advised by professionals to engage in sexual intercourse every two to three days throughout the month, rather than solely relying on ovulation as the optimal time for pregnancy.

What role does ovulation play in the process of getting pregnant?

An ovulated egg typically has a lifespan of 12 to 24 hours, and successful fertilization must take place during this window for pregnancy to take place.
After entering the woman’s body, sperm can survive for a period of up to seven days. As a result, even if intercourse occurred shortly before ovulation, there remains a potential opportunity for pregnancy.

The likelihood of getting pregnant is at its peak when engaging in sexual activity in the five days leading up to ovulation and on the actual day of ovulation.³

How can you determine if you are ovulating to conceive a child?

One can monitor their ovulation by calculating the days within their menstrual cycle. Utilizing a calendar or an ovulation calculator allows for tracking of the fertile days. The cycle commences on the initial day of menstruation and concludes a day before the subsequent period begins. Signs of ovulation may include an elevation in basal body temperature, alterations in vaginal discharge, sensitivity in the breasts, and slight abdominal cramping.⁴

Ovulation predictor kits are utilized for the detection of the luteinizing hormone in urine,⁵ an essential hormone that regulates the reproductive system and reaches its highest levels just before ovulation. This diagnostic tool can assist in pinpointing the exact timing of ovulation and identifying the optimal timeframe for intimacy to enhance the chances of conception.

Depending solely on calculators, symptoms, or kits for monitoring fertility may not consistently produce precise results. It is advisable to engage in consistent intimacy throughout the menstrual cycle to optimize the likelihood of achieving a successful pregnancy.

Can the position during sex impact the likelihood of becoming pregnant?

Certain experts suggest that particular sexual positions, like missionary or doggy style, could be more beneficial for conception compared to other positions such as woman on top or standing. However, there is a lack of concrete evidence to back up these assertions.

An ejaculation can release a large amount of sperm that travels into the vagina to fertilize the egg.⁶ The released sperm can quickly reach the fallopian tube and unite with the egg.⁷

Regardless of the specific position during intercourse, pregnancy can still occur if the man ejaculates inside the woman’s vagina.

Commonly believed sex positions for getting pregnant

These particular positions are thought to increase the possibility of successful fertilization, making it more likely for a woman to get pregnant. It is important to keep in mind that, regardless of the position chosen, it should be enjoyable rather than uncomfortable.

Have fun connecting intimately with your partner without feeling stressed about conceiving a child.

Missionary: The missionary position is thought by some to increase the chances of pregnancy. In this position, the man is on top while the woman lies on her back, possibly allowing for easier access of sperm to the cervix and potentially aiding in pregnancy.
Doggy style: This position is expected to allow for deeper penetration and potentially widen the cervix more than other positions. This may facilitate easier entry of the sperm.
Illuminated triangle: Similar to the mating press position, in the illuminated triangle position, the woman lies on her back with her partner on top of his hands and knees with his legs stretched out. The woman can wrap her legs around her partner while their pelvis is slightly elevated. This position is believed to enable deeper penetration and maintain a tilted pelvis, which may enhance the likelihood of pregnancy.
Anvil: The position of the anvil involves the man being on top once more, but the woman must lift her legs above her head before penetration. This position may facilitate deep penetration and targeting the G-spot, both of which could increase the chances of getting pregnant.
Enchanted peak: This position is a variation of the doggy-style position in which the man leans over the woman with his chest against her back. It is thought that this position facilitates deeper and quicker movement of sperm, potentially stimulating the G-spot and aiding in female orgasm.
Spoon: Spooning involves the woman lying on her side with her partner spooning her from behind. This position tilts the woman’s pelvis at a 90-degree angle, believed to improve sperm reach.
Plough: In this position, the woman is lying on her back with her legs up, resembling a wheelbarrow. Her partner will then hold onto her legs while penetrating. This position supposedly helps gravity in drawing the sperm closer to the cervix.
Butterfly: The female partner lies on her back, on a table or surface. The male partner positions himself between her legs and elevates her hips (or pillows can be used for support). This position is believed to assist in prolonging the sperm in the vagina, increasing the likelihood of successful pregnancy.
The splitting bamboo: The splitting bamboo is one of the Kamasutra poses, where a woman raises one of her legs over her partner’s shoulders while he straddles her thigh and uses her leg for support. Apart from hitting the G-spot, this position is likely to have deeper penetration and a better chance of conception.
The wolf union: A position where a woman faces away from her partner, who holds her waist during penetration. It is thought to aid in sperm reaching the cervix more easily, potentially leading to faster conception.
Oyster: The oyster position is believed to aid in conception and enhance sexual pleasure. In this pose, the woman lies on her back with her knees bent while the partner kneels during intercourse.
Padlock: The padlock involves a woman sitting on the edge of high furniture while holding onto her partner with her arms and legs wrapped around them. This position is believed to provide the sperm with additional space and movement to improve the chances of pregnancy.
The peg: When the man is lying on his back with the woman on top, it is believed to be beneficial for women with heavier partners.
The Sphinx: The female partner lies on her stomach, supporting her weight on her forearms. One leg is bent to the side and the other is straight behind her. The male partner positions himself on top, supporting his weight on his arms. This position may facilitate deeper penetration and increase the chances of getting pregnant.

How Often Should You Have Sex To Get Pregnant?

The amount of sexual activity required for conception can vary and is not fixed. Factors like age, genetics, and the overall health of both individuals can impact the likelihood of getting pregnant.

A research study led by Duke University examined the chances of getting pregnant in 770 European women. The findings revealed that 92% of women between the ages of 19 and 26, 86% of women aged 27 to 34, and 82% of women aged 35 to 39 became pregnant within one year of having intimacy at least twice a week.⁸

The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that approximately 17.5% of adults globally, which is roughly one in six individuals, encounter issues with fertility. In addition to the frequency of intimacy, several factors can affect fertility in individuals of reproductive age.⁹

Continue reading to discover additional factors that may affect your chances of getting pregnant.

Can using a lubricant impact the likelihood of becoming pregnant?

Lubricants are employed to enhance comfort during intercourse but could potentially impact fertility. From in vitro research, it is indicated that lubricants might harm sperm, even though in vivo studies have not shown any evidence of decreased fertility in couples using lubricants.¹⁰ Nevertheless, more research is needed to establish the impact of vaginal lubricants on fertility rates.

Is it beneficial to lie down after intercourse to increase the chances of getting pregnant?

There is a commonly held belief that laying down immediately after sex can improve the chances of conception, but there is no scientific evidence to back this up. This belief is based on the notion that semen is more likely to remain in the cervix area when a person is lying down, as opposed to standing up where gravity can pull it out. The actual validity of this theory is uncertain. Each ejaculation releases millions of sperm, so some can make their way to the fallopian tubes regardless of whether the woman stays lying down after intercourse.

Increasing the likelihood of conceiving a child with helpful advice

Apart from having regular sex, there are several lifestyle adjustments and habits that may enhance your likelihood of getting pregnant.

For a woman to become pregnant, a man must ejaculate, regardless of whether the woman experiences an orgasm. The contractions experienced during a woman’s orgasm can help push sperm toward the egg, improving the chances of fertilization in the vagina.¹¹
Quit smoking: Smoking can interfere with estrogen levels in women, causing issues with ovulation. For men, it has been shown to affect the quality of sperm.¹²

Avoid alcohol consumption as excessive drinking can interfere with the menstrual cycle and increase the risk of infertility. Likewise, in males, alcohol consumption is linked to decreased testosterone levels, erectile dysfunction, and infertility.
Monitor your weight: Being either too heavy or too light could affect your fertility. Seek advice from a nutritionist to find out your recommended weight according to your BMI.

Try to refrain from using narcotic substances as they may lead to fertility issues in both men and women. The use of recreational drugs such as cocaine and marijuana can also affect testosterone levels and impede the production of sperm.¹³
Before trying to conceive a child, it is essential to get a sexual health check-up to prevent sexually transmitted diseases that can affect fertility and lower the chances of getting pregnant. Both individuals in the relationship should be tested for STDs and other sexual health issues to ensure a healthy start to pregnancy.
It is important to note that some women may not show any symptoms of STDs. Staying physically active by participating in regular and moderate physical exercises can help in maintaining overall health and improving the chances of a successful pregnancy.

When is it necessary to visit a physician?

If you have regular intimacy and maintain a healthy lifestyle, it may improve your likelihood of becoming pregnant, but there are no guarantees. It is recommended to seek advice from your gynecologist or obstetrician if you:

You are over 35 years old and have been unsuccessful in getting pregnant even after six months of consistent and unprotected intercourse.
You are under 35 years old and have been trying to get pregnant for more than a year.¹⁴
You are experiencing fertility problems like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) or endometriosis, and your partner has a low sperm count.
You have irregular or absent menstrual cycles.
You have undergone surgeries like a hernia in the past.¹⁵

Having accurate knowledge about sexual reproduction can enhance the likelihood of a couple getting pregnant. Engaging in unprotected intercourse during the days leading up to ovulation can boost the chances of getting pregnant.

Monitoring menstruation and ovulation cycles can help in timing sexual activities for conception purposes. While certain sex positions have been thought to influence conception, there is insufficient scientific backing for this claim.

The frequency of intimacy required for pregnancy is not set in stone, and couples are advised to try around the time of ovulation. Seeking preconception healthcare can kickstart a healthier lifestyle and vitamin regimen.

Key Takeaways of ‘When to Have Sex to Get Pregnant’

Having unprotected sex during ovulation raises the likelihood of getting pregnant.
Ovulation can be anticipated by utilizing ovulation trackers or predictor kits.
There is no scientific evidence to suggest that certain sexual positions impact the odds of getting pregnant.
Boosting the chances of pregnancy can be achieved through maintaining a healthy weight, refraining from alcohol, and staying physically active.
If facing challenges with fertility or irregular menstrual cycles, it is advisable to seek guidance from a healthcare professional.