Everything You Need to Know About Sex and Conception

Trying to conceive can be a stressful experience. Searching the internet or getting advice from friends can provide a lot of conflicting, confusing, and inaccurate information about the process of having a baby. In fact, studies have found that 40% of the information people access on this topic is inaccurate. This creates uncertainty and leaves hopeful parents with many questions.

Some of the most common questions include:What is the best sex position to get pregnant?Does lying still after sex increase your chances of getting pregnant?Should you have sex at a certain time of the day?Does orgasm help you get pregnant?Here we spoke to experts to answer these and many other questions about how to have sex to get pregnant.

Can orgasms help you get pregnant?

Some experts believe that for those with vulvas, the uterine contractions during orgasm help push sperm into the cervix. But one thing’s for sure: The tingling sensation and surge of oxytocin during orgasm leave you feeling relaxed, which means you’ve eliminated stress, a major factor that can stop you from having a baby.

Reproductive physiologist Dr Joanna Errington said in British documentary The Great Sperm Race that the better you have sex, the more likely you are to get pregnant. Research revealed in the show showed that when a man’s testicles are fully aroused, there is a significant increase in ejaculate.  

Research suggests that orgasms aid conception by making the vagina more receptive to sperm, meaning having fun during sex can increase your chances of getting pregnant.

Do sexual positions increase your chances of getting pregnant?

According to the American Society for Reproductive Medicine and the American Society of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, sperm are present in the cervix just seconds after ejaculation, regardless of how they got there. That means your favorite sex position that puts the penis in the vagina is the best position for conception, says Shari Brassner, MD, an obstetrician-gynecologist at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City. “There’s no reason to think sex should be uncomfortable or embarrassing.”

Does oral sex affect fertility?

Technically, saliva can interfere with cervical mucus  and change the pH level in the vagina, creating a less favorable environment for sperm. One study found that using saliva as a lubricant reduced sperm motility (the ability of sperm to move normally). However, it’s unlikely to have a negative impact on your ability to conceive unless your partner already has a low sperm count. 

Is having sex in a hot tub a bad idea if you’re trying to conceive?

If you’re trying to get pregnant, you should avoid hot tubs. Hot tubs are typically preprogrammed to 104 degrees. It takes 10 to 20 minutes at that temperature for your body temperature, including your testicles, to rise to 102 degrees or higher. Such high temperatures can temporarily reduce sperm count and motility.

Can gravity help you get pregnant?

Some people believe that lying on your back with your hips elevated for 20 minutes after intercourse will help sperm reach the egg, but there is no scientific basis for this belief.

“It’s harmless, though, so if you find this position relaxing, go ahead and try it,” says Melissa M. Goist, M.D., associate professor of obstetrics and gynecology at The Ohio State University Medical Center. Either way, don’t worry if you leak a little bit of semen when you change positions or stand up.

Do lubricants help sperm reach the egg?

Cervical mucus is very good at moving sperm around on its own, but using lubricant can make sex more comfortable and may increase your overall chances of conceiving. However, consider choosing a fertility-friendly lubricant, as traditional types have been shown to reduce sperm motility through the reproductive tract.

Is there an ideal time to have sex to get pregnant?

According to Dr. Goist, the best time to have sex to get pregnant is in the morning when both partners are well rested. While you sleep, your body regenerates the sperm lost during the day. But the  day you have sex is actually much more important than the time, because you can only get pregnant if there is an egg available for the sperm to fertilize. 

The menstrual cycle includes a “fertile window” that lasts about a week each cycle, including the five days before ovulation, the day of ovulation, and the day after ovulation. Ovulation usually occurs 12-14 days before menstruation starts, but this can vary from person to person depending on the length and regularity of the menstrual cycle.

Sperm can survive in the uterine reproductive tract for five days, and eggs can survive 12 to 24 hours after ovulation, meaning you’re most likely to get pregnant if you have sex on the day of ovulation or five days before, says Rashmi Khudesia, MD, OB-GYN, reproductive endocrinologist, and infertility specialist at Houston Methodist Hospital and Houston IVF.

People can track this fertile window in the following ways:

Ovulation can also be predicted using other methods, such as ovulation calendars, menstrual cycle tracking apps, and the ovulation calculator below.

How many times do I need to have sex to get pregnant?

If your partner has a normal sperm count, you’ll have the best chance of getting pregnant if you have sex every 1-2 days during your fertile window  . However, many people have busy schedules that make it difficult to meet that goal, so don’t get disheartened if you can’t stick to the schedule. If you have sex every 2-3 days, you have a good chance of getting pregnant. 

And remember that conceiving takes time: Younger people (under 30) have just a 25% chance of conceiving each month, even if the timing is perfect and there are no intervening factors, says Dr. Kudesia. People in their 40s have less than a 5% chance of conceiving each month.