Busted: 13 Myths Around Conceiving A Baby

So let’s have a look at some pregnancy myths, fertility myths and the actual facts behind them.

Myth 1: Having intercourse everyday increases the chances of conceiving.

Fact: For the purpose of conceiving a child, you need to have intercourse only during the woman’s fertile period, when there is a chance of the sperm meeting the egg. Even during this period, intercourse every alternate day should be enough. However, if you want to go for it every day- then just go ahead and enjoy!

Myth 2: The sexual position determines whether you conceive or not. The missionary position is the best.

Fact: As long as the male ejaculates inside the female, the position they are in doesn’t matter. The woman’s body guides the sperms inside no matter what.

Myth 3: The woman needs to keep her hips elevated for a while after intercourse to enable the semen to go inside.

Fact: The woman’s body is designed to guide the semen in, and so you needn’t lie down, or keep your hips elevated after intercourse.

Myth 4: You can control the sex of the baby by having intercourse with your head turned towards a particular direction, or in certain positions, or by having intercourse on particular days of your menstrual cycle.

Fact: There is no way that you can control the sex of your child. It only depends on which sperm finally fertilizes the egg, the one with the X chromosome (female) or the Y chromosome (male.)

Myth 5: The child will be born with mental and physical defects if the child is conceived on amavasya(new moon)/certain days of the month that aren’t suitable for the star you were born under.

Fact: The days of the month, or the position of the stars, or the phase of the moon has no bearing whatsoever on the health of a child.

Myth 6: You should have intercourse at certain times of the day (during the day, with lights on, or at early dawn) for best chance of conceiving.

Fact: The chances of conceiving depend only on whether the woman is in her fertile period, and not on the time of the day.

Myth 7: The chance of conceiving is lessened if the semen comes out of the vagina after intercourse.

Fact: Enough of the semen would have gone into the woman’s body, and so some of it spilling out is not a cause for concern.

Myth 8: If you have had one baby, you won’t have any problem in getting pregnant the second time.

Fact: Secondary infertility affects many couples for a variety of factors. You should always take the same precautions and care when trying to conceive a second time as you did for the first baby.

Myth 9: If you adopt, you will get pregnant

Fact: There is no basis for this commonly-held belief, and no scientific reason why this should be so.

Myth 10: The woman needs to orgasm if she has to conceive.

Fact: Though the sucking action of orgasm might facilitate movement of sperms into the body, it is not necessary for conception. The cervical fluid enables the sperm to move inside even without an orgasm. But having an orgasm is always a plus!

Myth 11: My periods are regular, I am young and healthy. I will have no problem getting pregnant

Fact: Infertility doesn’t have any indicators. And it doesn’t necessarily affect people over a certain age. Do consult your doctor if you have been trying to conceive for at least a year, and are unable to, even though you may be healthy and have no outward symptoms of any ailments.

Myth 12: If we haven’t got pregnant for the first few months, something is wrong.

Fact: It may take up to a year of regular trying for a healthy couple to get pregnant.

Myth 13: Use of external lubricants help move the sperm into the body, and facilitates conception.

Fact: Most lubricants, including saliva, disturb the pH of the vaginal area, and may actually kill the sperms. The natural lubricant, cervical fluid, is enough for the purpose.

Don’t let random opinions and suggestions sway you. Keep yourself informed, get all the scientific facts straight, and stop worrying about unnecessary things!

Also read more about: Conceiving After 35? This Is A Must Read!