Thursday 23 January 2014
Well, unlike unclogging the sink or visiting your in laws, baby-making sex is one necessary task that seems like it should be straightforward and fun. But then, out comes the ovulation charts and the pressure to succeed, and then it ends up becoming a minefield of whether or not you're doing the right thing.
But take a seat, relax and try these new sex tricks if you are trying to make a baby.
1. No orgasm? No worries!
Many couples enjoy a great sex life, even though the woman doesn’t necessarily orgasm every time, or even at all, but when it comes to getting pregnant, they wrongly worry this could be the reason it’s not happening. Luckily, according to research, a woman can easily get pregnant without orgasm, although the odds may be slightly better if she does. To achieve this, avoid putting too much pressure on either of you. If you become too obsessed with the end goal, it can lead to performance anxiety and even loss of erection. Remember to enjoy the sex, rather than seeing it a chore!
2. Avoid him performing oral sex during your fertile time
Many couples worry that oral sex could lower fertility or damage sperm or there could be a slight impact with oral sex on fertility. This is because saliva contains digestive enzymes and other agents which can damage the sperm. So does this mean taking a break from oral activities if you’re trying to get pregnant? Not at all. Being engaged and aroused during sex is very important to fertility for both partners. So if oral sex is something you enjoy as a couple, then while trying to make a baby, it may be best to avoid the fertile window.
3. Go with his natural rhythm
If, like many men, he’s at his most aroused first thing in the morning when testosterone levels are typically higher, then that’s a great time for baby sex! Testosterone is the ‘hormone of desire’ and studies show the more testosterone in his body, the more improved the quality of his sperm.
4. If you use lubricants, choose carefully
Couples are embarrassed to admit they use lubricants, and wonder if it affects their chances of conceiving. Some lubricants create conditions which are less favourable for sperm, so make sure it is sperm friendly. Saliva is a lubricant which is best avoided as it can damage sperm. A natural lubricant which won’t alter the acid balance of the vagina is best. There are sperm-friendly lubricants on the market. A recent study has shown that lubricants are commonly used by couples who are trying to conceive and it does not appear to reduce the chances of conceiving.
5. There’s no such thing as too much baby sex
Many women think that too much sex might lower their chances of getting pregnant. It’s commonly thought by women that too much sex might lessen the amount of sperm, or the quality of it but luckily for couples trying for a baby, the opposite is true. Many couples don’t have sex at all after ovulation for two or more weeks, and start sex again when they are close to ovulation. This means that much of the sperm will be dead. It is so important to keep the sperm moving so that it is fresh and healthy when required. Plenty of sex also releases fertility hormones in men and women, so if you’re trying for a family, more is better. Don’t just focus on your ovulation window though; bear in mind sperm survive inside your body for 3-5 days or even longer, so aim to have sex at least three times a week, which will provide a constant flow of sperm inside the fallopian tubes.
6. Forget the bicycle myth
Many women worry about losing precious sperm through ‘flow-back’ – where fluid comes out of the vagina after sex – but it’s completely normal. Women can become anxious that flow-back means the sperm is coming out of them, but only a small part of ejaculation is sperm. The rest flows back out after sex and is perfectly normal – even if there seems to be quite a lot of it. There’s no need to keep your legs in the air after sex – or perform a bicycling motion! The advice is for women to ideally lay flat for 15 minutes after sex which will give the sperm time to swim through the cervical canal - the first leg of their journey to reach the egg.
7. Mind your tubes
Before you get down to the business of baby sex, it’s a good idea for you both to have a routine STI test. Some STIs like Chlamydia can cause blocked fallopian tubes and affect your chances of conception.
8. Sunshine is good for making babies
Studies show women lacking in Vitamin D take longer to get pregnant and a lack of Vitamin D is linked to poorer outcomes with IVF; so try to get as much winter sunshine as you can, when trying for a baby. Once you’re pregnant -and while you are breast-feeding, take a Vitamin D supplement to provide your baby with enough Vitamin D for the first few months of its life. Do a health MOT and look at your weight and lifestyle habits. Remember also, if you are planning a baby, take folic acid, and get your tubes checked.
9. A quickie is just as good as slow sex
Often, men have pent-up anxieties they’re too embarrassed to ask - ‘How long they last, what size they are’ – none of these affects his chances of making a healthy baby. Lots of couples with issues around sex and performance in men do not have to bottle it up.
10. Have plenty of sex as soon as you stop the contraceptive pill
Many women have this idea that they should ‘wait’ a couple of months for the pill to leave their system, but this is a myth and completely unnecessary. In fact, your body may be more fertile in the first two months after you come off the pill, so take the opportunity for lots of baby sex! But be patient - 85 % of couples will conceive within a year of trying if they have regular sex.
