Parenthood changes our lives in so many amazing ways. But long before a baby arrives into this world, women and couples should take an important first step. Educating yourself about fertility and pregnancy is fundamental.. While there are many old wives’ tales when it comes to getting pregnant, we’d like to clear up some myths so you can begin this wonderful journey the best way possible. It’s all about optimizing your fertility goals.
1. Women with little body fat can run into trouble when conceiving.
When it comes to your reproductivity, fat isn’t a bad thing. Your menstrual periods rely on body fat in order to happen. At the minimum, a 17% Body Mass Index (BMI) is needed to ovulate. Your BMI should run between 19 and 25%;a typical BMI is around 22 percent for normal ovulation and reproductive fitness (1).
2. Seek out organic food when you are looking to conceive.
All of us—no matter whether we want to conceive or not—need to be conscious of the potential effects of the pesticides used in our food. Even if you wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly, inorganic molecules can penetrate a food’s skin layer. Pesticides have been shown to affect hormone synthesis in women and can also lower mens’ sperm count and motility. Studies have concluded that one popular pesticide, HPTE, can stop testosterone production for up to 17 hours after being consumed. When shopping, look for organic labeling and, whenever possible, choose your local farmer’s market. These farmers tend to follow organic guidelines, even if they don’t label their products as such because certification can be expensive. If you’re unsure, ask them about their approaches to growing food. (3)
3. Strenuous exercise and pregnancy do not go hand in hand.
A joint U.S./Danish study found that, like a low BMI, over-exercising can negatively affect a woman’s ability to conceive. Women with normal weights who engaged in “vigorous physical activities” like running and intense cycling or swimming had trouble getting pregnant (2). Your doctor may okay a strenuous program and if so, please follow their advice. But in general, aim for a half hour each day of brisk walking, moderate cycling, or swimming a few laps in the pool.
4. There is an ideal window for conception. And it’s longer than you might think.
You may have heard that you need to have sex right after ovulation happens in order to have the best chance at fertilization. Fortunately, that’s not the case. Sperm is resilient and can live for a few days inside your body, increasing the chances of pregnancy. The best days to have sex are two days before ovulation and the day of ovulation, as eggs need to be fertilized within 24 hours of being released from the ovaries. If you wait longer, your chances reduce drastically. And remember, your actual ovulation day may shift a bit from month to month. So if you use a calendar, you might want to have sex a few days later and earlier as well. Ovulation predictor kits may be helpful if you’re looking for the most exact dates. While timing is crucial, the quality of the mucus in your vaginal discharge matters, too. If it resembles an egg white, it's more conducive to helping sperm make its way to the egg.
5. As you’re trying to conceive, know which seafoods are good and which are not.
Salmon is rich in essential fatty acids and Omega-3s, which benefit both sexes’ reproductive systems. Just three ounces of salmon also contains almost 100% of your daily recommended value for Vitamin D, as well. While salmon should be on your menu, couples wanting to become pregnant should avoid the types of fish that contain high levels of mercury. That includes shark, king mackerel, swordfish, and tilefish.
6. Worried about which sex position is best for conception? There’s no need.
The myth that the missionary position is most effective is just that, a myth. According to science, any position works as long as the sperm has the chance to enter the cervix, then the uterus, right after ejaculation. Issues like your ovulation days matter, but sexual positions don’t.
7. Boxers or briefs? When it comes to your partner’s fertility, it doesn’t matter.
You may have heard the rumor that briefs can lower a man’s sperm count. But that story is indeed just a rumor. If your partner prefers briefs, he’ll be fine while you two try to conceive. However, tell him to avoid saunas and hot tubs. Those can elevate a body’s temperature enough to affect the quality of sperm (4).
8. Your cervical mucus provides lots of clues about your fertility.
While ovulation kits may be a good way to predict when you are most fertile, your body can tell you some things as well. So if you don’t have an ovulation kit, learn about the signals you receive. As you reach fertility, hormones in your cervical mucus help heighten its ability to help sperm swim to the egg. Your mucus will become stretchy, clear, and slippery, similar to an egg white. Body temperature changes tell you that you’ve already ovulated. Tracking your period only provides you with an estimate. To get the most accurate idea, look for the changes in your mucus.
9. You can get pregnant right after you stop taking birth control pills. It’s perfectly okay.
If you’re on the pill and want to stop because you’re looking to conceive. It’s possible to get safely pregnant in the first cycle after you quit. We recommend talking with your healthcare provider and getting their feedback about the ideal time for you to go off the pill.
10. Lubricants matter. The wrong ones may interfere with conception.
Several studies have revealed that lubricants like KY Jelly, baby oil, and saliva make it tougher for sperm to swim through the cervix to reach the egg (5). However, your body’s own cervical mucus changes during ovulation. Along with creating a better environment for the sperm, this mucus also serves as an effective lubricant. Avoid any lubricant that can affect sperm motility.
Women's Fertility
The complete 3-in-1 formula of herbs, antioxidants, and a methylated prenatal multivitamin to promote vibrant health as you pursue your fertility goals.
Men's Fertility
The complete 3-in-1 formula of herbs, antioxidants, and a methylated multivitamin to promote vibrant health as you pursue your fertility goals.
Mika Gupta, MD is the founder and CEO of Best Nest Wellness. Dr. Gupta is board-certified neurologist and has won The People’s Choice Award as a favorite doctor three years in a row. She holds a degree in biochemistry and humanities from MIT, completed her neurology residency in New York City, and completed her fellowship in headache medicine at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital.
(1) An internet-based prospective study of body size and time-to-pregnancy. Hum Reprod. 2010;25(1):253-264. doi:10.1093/humrep/dep360.
(2) Physical activity and pregnancy: cardiovascular adaptations, recommendations and pregnancy outcomes. Sports Med. 2010 Jun 1;40(6):493-507. doi: 10.2165/11532290-000000000-00000. PMID: 20524714.
(3) Does an Organic Diet Make a Difference?. Environ Health Perspect. 2016;124(3):A55. doi:10.1289/ehp.124-55.
(4) Effects of sauna on sperm movement characteristics of normal men measured by computer-assisted sperm analysis, International Journal of Andrology, 21:358-363, 1998.
(5) Vaginal lubricants in the couple trying-to-conceive: Assessing healthcare professional recommendations and effect on in vitro sperm function. PLoS One. 2019;14(5):e0209950. Published 2019 May 14. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0209950.
