Making babies: You may be doing it wrong, doctors say

Think it helps to have sex more than once a day or raise hips afterward? You have made mistake. But you are not alone, survey shows. Most women know how babies are made. But a new survey suggests they are confused or misinformed on some of the fine points. Researchers from Yale University decided to do the survey after finding some misconceptions about conception among their own patients, says study leader Jessica lluzzi, an obstetrician and gynecologist in New Haven, Conn. "

We have patients who want to get pregnant who come in saying 'We're having sex several times a day after I ovulate.' Their survey of 1,000 women ages 18 to 40 around the country found that: • Half wrongly believed that having sex more than once a day increases chances of conceiving. Sperm counts actually decrease with such frequent sex, the researchers say. • About 40% wrongly believed that using certain sexual positions and lying on one's back with raised hips after sex can help. There's no scientific evidence for that. Sperm reach the cervix within minutes "regardless of coital practices or positioning afterwards," the paper says. • Nearly two-thirds wrongly believed having sex in the two days after ovulation (the release of an egg from an ovary) increases chances for conception. It's actually best to time sex a day or two before ovulation.

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"The sperm need to be waiting in the fallopian tube for the arrival of the egg. And not the other way around," Illuzzi says. • More than 25% did not know that sexually transmitted infections, obesity, smoking or having irregular periods could decrease pregnancy chances. • Half did not know folic acid can prevent birth defects and that folic acid supplements are recommended before conception. The study also provides one possible explanation for these knowledge gaps: 50% had never discussed reproductive health with a health care provider. The impact of such confusion is unclear: 58% of women said they had children and 7% were pregnant at the time of the survey. Also, as the study notes, nearly half of pregnancies in the USA are unintended.

"Clearly women have been getting pregnant throughout history without knowing these details," Illuzzi says. In fact, she says, the survey uncovered some undue anxiety over the difficulty of getting pregnant. "We were very surprised that 40% of women thought they might have a problem getting pregnant. In actuality, the rates of infertility are closer to 5% to 15%." It is true that more women are delaying childbearing and that fertility declines with age. But "anxiety and lack of confidence" may be spreading to women with little reason to worry, she says. The women in the online survey were broadly representative of women nationwide. But somewhat more educated than average, with 80% having attended college vs. 65% nationally. The study was published Monday in the journal Fertility and Sterility.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Does having sex multiple times a day increase your chances of getting pregnant?

No, having sex several times a day can actually reduce your chances of conceiving as it decreases sperm count. The NHS recommends having sex every 2-3 days throughout your cycle for the best chance of conception, rather than trying to time it perfectly or having frequent daily intercourse.

When is the best time to have sex when trying to conceive?

The optimal time for conception is in the 1-2 days before ovulation, not after. Sperm need to be waiting in the fallopian tube ready for the egg to arrive, which is why timing intercourse before you ovulate gives you the best chance of falling pregnant.

Does lying with your hips raised after sex help you get pregnant?

There's no scientific evidence that lying on your back with raised hips or using certain sexual positions improves your chances of conceiving. Research shows that sperm reach the cervix within minutes regardless of position, so there's no need to stay lying down afterwards.

When should I see my GP about fertility problems in the UK?

According to NICE guidelines, you should speak to your GP if you've been trying to conceive for 12 months without success, or after 6 months if you're over 36. Around 1 in 7 UK couples experience fertility issues, so don't hesitate to seek help. Your GP can arrange initial tests and refer you to an NHS fertility specialist if needed.

Should I take folic acid before getting pregnant?

Yes, the NHS strongly recommends taking 400 micrograms of folic acid daily from when you start trying to conceive until you're 12 weeks pregnant. Folic acid helps prevent neural tube defects such as spina bifida, yet research shows that half of women don't realise they should start taking it before conception.

Can lifestyle factors like smoking and weight affect my fertility?

Absolutely. Smoking, obesity, and being significantly underweight can all reduce your chances of getting pregnant. The NHS advises maintaining a healthy BMI, stopping smoking, and limiting alcohol when trying to conceive to give yourself the best possible chance of success.

Do irregular periods affect my chances of getting pregnant naturally?

Irregular periods can make it harder to conceive as they may indicate you're not ovulating regularly. If your periods are very irregular, it's worth speaking to your GP sooner rather than waiting a full year, as they can investigate potential causes such as PCOS and discuss treatment options available on the NHS.