It seems that if you tell anyone that you are trying to conceive you activate their advice-giving gene. That’s true also of writers looking for stories such as in this article from health.com where the author offers six “weird” things that boost your fertility.
According to the article, “If you are trying to get pregnant (or thinking about it), you’re probably familiar with the standard advice: Maintain a healthy weight. Go easy on the coffee and booze. And avoid stress (if only!). But there are a handful of other things that may help boost your baby-making odds—from changing your sushi order to mixing up your workouts.”
Let’s look at the accuracy of some of these suggestions:
Go beyond missionary: There’s a myth that doing the deed with your partner on top will result in optimal sperm placement. Nonsense, Dr. Malik says. “There’s no evidence that position has any effect on fertility.” So go ahead and try whatever positions feel right. What really matters is when you do it, and how often, Dr. Malik says. During your fertile window—the five days leading up to ovulation plus the day of ovulation—she recommends having sex every one to two days. (“Sometimes daily intercourse can be stressful,” she explains.) The last two to three days of that window offer your greatest odds of getting pregnant. Worried about predicting the dates? An ovulation predictor kit might be helpful.
Basically this is good advice. In some couples a certain position might be preferable because of the woman’s anatomy. That’s something your doctor can tell especially if they do a post coital test.
Switch your lube: Some popular brands (including KY Jelly) may actually impede your efforts, says Dr. Malik. “Certain components of water-based lubricants can make it more difficult for sperm to make their way into the cervical canal,” she explains. A better option: Pre-seed, a product designed to mimic natural fluids for couples who are trying to conceive ($19, amazon.com). Or if you prefer a more natural lube, try mineral oil, Dr. Malik says.
Also good advice.
Sleep in total darkness: You know that artificial light at night—like the glow from your iPad or TV screen, even a streetlamp outside—can mess with the quality of your Z’s. But it could interfere with your ability to conceive, as well, according to a review of studies published in the journal Fertility and Sterility. Late-night light exposure suppresses production of the sleep hormone melatonin—which also happens to play a key role in protecting a woman’s eggs from corrosive free radicals, especially during ovulation. Even turning on a bathroom light could impact melatonin levels, study author Russel J. Reiter, PhD, told LiveScience. “If women are trying to get pregnant, [they should] maintain at least eight hours of a dark period at night,” he urged.
Not so sure about the wisdom of this one but certainly eight hours of sleep won’t hurt, either will a dark room.