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  Evaluating Your Fertility
  Understanding Fertility
  Maximise Your Fertility
  Your Timing
  Diet
  Relaxation
  Exercise
  Sexual Positions
  Infertility: An Introduction
  Infertility in Females
  Infertility in Males
  Implications of Infertility
  Questions to Ask Your Doctor
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Sexual Positions and Fertility

The best positions to conceive

In order for you to become pregnant, the man’s sperm must be deposited as close as possible to the woman's cervix. 

Generally when a fertile man and fertile woman are trying to conceive, sexual positions don’t make a big difference. If couples are having problems conceiving, however, certain sexual positions may help. 
The best positions for conception aim to expose the woman’s cervix to as much sperm as possible. 

Experts therefore recommend that you avoid having sex in positions that defy gravity (as this lessens the likelihood of the man’s sperm reaching the cervix). Avoid having sex:

  • while sitting
  • standing
  • with the female stradled on top    
Try to reduce the amount of sperm that leaks out, position the woman's hips so that the sperm stays inside, allowing enough time for it to travel to the cervix. Some possible positions include:   

  • The missionary position (man on top) is believed to be good for conceiving as it allows for the deepest penetration, placing sperm closer to the cervix.
  • To expose the woman's cervix to the maximum amount of semen, the woman can also try elevating her hips with a pillow.
  • Rear-entry (man entering woman from behind) can also deposit sperm close to the cervix and aid conception. This position is particularly good for women with a tipped or tilted uterus.
  • Lying side-by-side is another way of increasing the exposure of the cervix to sperm.
  • Some research suggests that the female orgasm is also important. The contractions that accompany the female orgasm may help carry sperm further into the cervix.    



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Last updated: 14/05/2008
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