Most often, the inability to conceive a child for a long time or unexpectedly occurring pregnancy is associated with delusions. For example, that you can get pregnant only when you ovulate, or that you need a certain position to conceive successfully. Denis Banny, an obstetrician-gynecologist who specializes in Gemotest Laboratory, told socialbites.ca about this. He listed the most popular myths about conception and explained how it all really happened.
According to the expert, if the sperms that enter the woman’s genital tract reach the mature egg, pregnancy occurs. This is where the first myth comes from: You can only get pregnant when you ovulate.
“You can get pregnant on any day of the cycle – even during your period. Of course the chances are lower, but it still exists. Ovulation does not always occur in the middle of the cycle: the egg may mature a few days earlier or later. If the egg is not yet ready, the sperm cells are “waiting” for it – they can live in the uterine cavity and fallopian tubes for about 3-5 days and retain their ability to fertilize, ”the doctor said.
The second common myth is that a woman cannot become pregnant if she is breastfeeding. This misconception is based on two facts: First, there is no menstrual cycle for a while after giving birth. Secondly, the hormone prolactin, which stimulates milk production, reduces the likelihood of conception.
“Prolactin affects egg maturation, but not that much. And the absence of menstruation does not mean that there is no ovulation. So there is always a chance of getting pregnant while breastfeeding. Barrier contraceptives can be used to prevent unwanted pregnancy,” she said.
The third and fourth myths are about postures. Many people believe that the success of conception and the sex of the child depend on the position of the woman’s body during sex. For example, if you raise your legs higher, put a pillow under your waist or stand on a “birch”, spermatozoa will certainly fall into the womb. Or if the woman is at the top, a man is born.
“Conceiving has nothing to do with posture. If both partners are healthy, vaginal discharge will be sufficient. Male sex cells will enter the uterus themselves and do not need any help in this regard. As for gender, neither the woman nor the position of her body in sexual intercourse has any role. The sex of the unborn child depends only on the sperm that fertilizes the egg. If she carries the X chromosome, it will be a girl, if she carries the Y chromosome, it will be a boy,” explained the gynecologist.
The fifth and most disturbing myth concerns not being able to conceive. Patients, most often women, go to the doctor after several months of unsuccessful attempts – they are afraid of infertility. However, a gynecologist can only diagnose “infertility” after a year of unsuccessful attempts to have a child. This applies to both men and women.
“If nothing goes well for a few months, you have to make sure everything is done right. For example, you should not have sex every day or several times a day. This does not increase or even reduce the chances of conception, because male spermatozoa do not have time to be produced in the right amount. The optimal interval is once every 2-3 days during the entire cycle, ”said expert Banny.
He advised both partners to lead a healthy lifestyle: eat right, exercise, walk more, get enough sleep and avoid nervous tension. If unsuccessful attempts to have a child take too long, you should consult a specialist.
Formerly a psychologist judicial Emotions and fears cause infertility.