11 Best Sexual Positions For Pregnancy That You Should Know About

The process of conception goes way beyond the simple event of the sperm fertilising an egg, leading to the formation of an embryo and pregnancy. The truth is that many other aspects associated with sex could play a role in determining whether you conceive successfully. While the timing of your sexual intercourse and the couple’s overall health play a crucial role, your sexual position could also affect your chances of pregnancy.

Read on to know more about when to have sex to conceive and the best sexual positions for pregnancy. 

When To Have Sex To Get Pregnant?

Having unprotected intercourse around the time of your ovulation (when an egg is released from your ovary and is available for the sperm for fertilisation) could increase the chances of your pregnancy. Women who have a 28-day menstrual cycle are expected to ovulate around the 14th day after their period. 

However, note that the day of your ovulation may vary as per the length of your menstrual cycle. Hence, most experts recommend having unprotected sex every 2-3 days throughout the month instead of waiting for your ovulation.

If you want to keep track of your ovulation, you can use an ovulation calculator to determine your most fertile days. Just enter the first and last date of your period to determine your ovulation cycle. You can also record your ovulation cycle by charting your basal body temperature (BBT) and noting changes in your vaginal discharge. 

How Does Your Sexual Position Affect Your Chances Of Pregnancy?

Experts believe that certain sex positions, such as doggie style and missionary can be more effective compared to others (standing or woman on top) in aiding conception. But there is no definitive research to back these claims. 

11 Sexual Positions For Pregnancy: What Is The Common Belief

The sexual positions listed in this section are believed to allow better penetration and thus are more likely to get you pregnant. However, remember, whichever position you try, it has to be pleasurable and not painful. Try to enjoy having intercourse with your partner, without the pressure of getting pregnant. Here are some most common sexual positions for pregnancy.

• Doggy style: This position helps with deeper penetration and opens your cervix more compared to other positions. It might also make it easier for the sperm to make its way inside.
• Missionary style: Experts believe that this is the most effective sexual position that can help a couple get pregnant. In this position, the woman lies on her back and the man is on top. It allows the sperm to have an easy path to the cervix and may help you conceive successfully.
• The anvil: In this position, the man is again on top, but the woman raises her legs above her head before penetration. It allows deep penetration and helps hit the G-spot, both of which could help in high chances of pregnancy.
• Glowing triangle: Just like the missionary position, in the glowing triangle, the woman lies on her back, while the partner is on top, with his legs extended out. With her pelvis slightly raised, the woman has to wrap her legs around her partner. This position allows deeper penetration, and also helps keep the pelvis titled upward, which improves the chances of pregnancy.
• Spooning: In this pose, the woman lies on her side, with her partner spooning her from behind. This position helps the woman’s pelvis tilt at a 90-degree angle, and provides better reach for the sperm.
• Magic mountain: This is another variation of the doggy style pose, where the man bends the woman in such as way that his chest is on her back. This pose is believed to allow the sperm to move faster and deeper. It could also hit the G-spot and help give the woman an orgasm.
• Butterfly pose: In this position, the woman lies on her back, on a table. The man moves between her legs and lifts her hips (or the woman can put pillows under her hips). This position is thought to help the sperm stay longer in the vagina and increase the chances of pregnancy.
• Plough position: The woman is positioned like a wheel burrow with her legs up in the air. The man holds onto her legs as he penetrates. It is thought that in this position, gravity helps pull the sperm further down in the cervix.
• The padlock pose: In this position, the woman sits on the edge of high furniture, supporting with her arms behind her, and legs wrapped around her partner. This pose gives the sperm extra space and motion and improves the chances of conception. 
• The splitting bamboo: In this pose, the woman raises one of her legs over her partner’s shoulders while he straddles her thigh, and uses her leg for support. This position gives a deeper penetration and also helps hit the G-spot.
• The sphinx: The woman lies on her tummy, with her weight on her forearms. One of her legs should be bent to the side and the other should be straight behind. The partner then straddles her, with his weight on his arms. This allows deeper penetration for better conception chances. 

Tips To Help Increase Your Chances Of Getting Pregnant

Besides having regular unprotected sex, and trying the sexual poses we mentioned above, you can consider making some lifestyle changes to increase your chances of conception.

• Avoid alcohol: Alcohol consumption may alter your menstrual cycle and increase the risk of infertility. It could also affect testosterone levels in men and can cause impotency.
• Quit smoking: Smoking affects the quality of sperm in men. It can also affect the oestrogen levels in women and impair ovulation. 
• Maintain a healthy weight: Being underweight or overweight may affect your fertility. Check your BMI and try to maintain a healthy body weight to improve your chances of conception. 
• Go for a sexual health check-up: Certain sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) can affect your fertility. So both you and your partner should go for a thorough health check-up to rule out the possibility of these illnesses before planning for a baby.
• Stay active: Regular and moderate exercises can help you maintain optimum health and increase your chances of getting pregnant.

Conclusion

Knowing the right information about sex for pregnancy can help you conceive successfully. Apart from tracking your ovulation cycle, try the sexual positions that we mentioned above for a positive pregnancy. However, if you are unable to conceive even after a year, you should consider consulting a doctor and evaluating your fertility levels for appropriate administration of medical treatments. 

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