When it comes to getting pregnant, we’ve all heard a variety of tips and tricks that are supposedly beneficial to helping the process along.  Many times, however, women are given information about pregnancy that is inaccurate or completely false.  Let’s discuss some of these misconceptions and determine what is fact or fiction.

Having sex more than once a day will increase the chances of conceiving–

While the logic behind this idea seems sound, having sex multiple times during a given day will not actually aid in conception.  Instead, we recommend that couples have sex every other day, to allow for sperm counts to regenerate.

Using a specific position during intercourse or raising the hips after intercourse can help-

Actually, sperm do not need any additional assistance through strategic positioning to reach the cervix.  This process takes place naturally and is not affected by increased angles.

The best time to have sex is two days after ovulation-

Timing sex roughly two days before ovulation is much better timing; this allows the sperm to have already made their way into the fallopian tube to await the egg.  Waiting until after ovulation would be considered too late for proper fertilization.

Weight, smoking habit, and STDs have no effect on the chances of getting pregnant-

In fact, each of these factors has a large effect on one’s ability to conceive.  When trying to become pregnant, it is important to maintain a healthy weight, stop smoking and get treatment for any STDs that you may have.   This will not only help with conception but also lead to a healthier pregnancy and a healthier life in general.

Having sex on odd days of the month will help you conceive a boy, while sex during a  full moon gives you a better chance of conceiving a girl-

Let’s face it, we don’t determine the sex of our offspring by the days we have sex.  While there are several different theories related to influencing a child’s gender, it is safe to say you should leave this one to science and chance.

One will be able to conceive immediately after stopping birth control methods-

In truth, merely quitting your method of birth control will not cause immediate pregnancy.  There are many other factors that go into conception, and for many women it may take a few months off of birth control to rebalance hormone levels to appropriate conditions.

While these and many other misconceptions continue to intrigue those hoping to conceive, know that the best step you and your partner can take is to speak with a trained physician to determine your specific circumstances and develop a plan that will work best for you.