We hear lots of misconceptions about getting pregnant or preventing pregnancy. Below are some of the most common fertility myths that I hear every day and the actual facts that discredit these common misbeliefs.
1. You need to orgasm in order to conceive: An orgasm is always an added bonus but definitely not a prerequisite to conceiving. Orgasms can cause uterine contractions which can aid the sperm in traveling in the right direction towards the fallopian tubes but the absence of a female orgasm will not preclude you from conceiving.
2. It takes a year to get pregnant after stopping the pill or having your IUD removed: You can definitely get pregnant right away after taking out your IUD or stopping the birth control pill. Actually there is little delay after stopping most birth control methods except for the depo provera shot. The depo provera injection is administered every three months to prevent pregnancy and there can be an eight month delay from last injection to conception. So once you decide to stop your birth control method please start taking prenatal vitamins right away.
3. You better try getting pregnant in your 20's or you will be out of luck: Studies have found decreased ovarian reserve in women in their late 30's and men tend to have decreased fertility in their forties but that does not mean that you cannot conceive when you are older. While you have a higher chance of visiting an infertility specialist in order to conceive, as long as you have a cycle every month you are likely ovulating and can become pregnant!
4. You can't get pregnant while breastfeeding: While breastfeeding exclusively for the first six months can be protective against pregnancy, there are no guarantees. Once your cycles resume or if you are 6 months post delivery if you are not ready to have an "oopsie" you need to talk to your provider about secure contraception options.
5. Drinking alcohol will affect your fertility: Excess or binge drinking can definitely affect your fertility. However, a couple glasses of wine or beer should not affect your long term ability to conceive. Again moderation is key. Once you do find out you are pregnant you should avoid alcoholic beverages.
6. Once you get pregnant the risk of miscarriage is very low: Most women don't realize that up to 20% of pregnancies result in losses in the early first trimester. Once a heart beat is visualized on ultrasound that number goes down to 7% and continues to go down as the pregnancy progresses. The reason for this misperception is because most couples that have experienced a loss are not likely to talk about it with friends and family. Meanwhile couples with a successful pregnancy tend to advertise on Facebook with endless baby bump photos and gender reveal ideas inspired by Pinterest.
7. Frequent intercourse decreases male fertility: We hear it all the time from patients- I was told you should only have intercourse every other day during your fertile window (days leading up to ovulation). In order to maximize your ability to conceive it is best to have intercourse 1 to 2 times per day during your fertile window. Actually, abstinence of greater than 10 days leads to a decrease in healthy sperm cells. I promise this statistic is real and not promulgated by some sex crazed spring breakers.
Pam
1. You need to orgasm in order to conceive: An orgasm is always an added bonus but definitely not a prerequisite to conceiving. Orgasms can cause uterine contractions which can aid the sperm in traveling in the right direction towards the fallopian tubes but the absence of a female orgasm will not preclude you from conceiving.
2. It takes a year to get pregnant after stopping the pill or having your IUD removed: You can definitely get pregnant right away after taking out your IUD or stopping the birth control pill. Actually there is little delay after stopping most birth control methods except for the depo provera shot. The depo provera injection is administered every three months to prevent pregnancy and there can be an eight month delay from last injection to conception. So once you decide to stop your birth control method please start taking prenatal vitamins right away.
3. You better try getting pregnant in your 20's or you will be out of luck: Studies have found decreased ovarian reserve in women in their late 30's and men tend to have decreased fertility in their forties but that does not mean that you cannot conceive when you are older. While you have a higher chance of visiting an infertility specialist in order to conceive, as long as you have a cycle every month you are likely ovulating and can become pregnant!
4. You can't get pregnant while breastfeeding: While breastfeeding exclusively for the first six months can be protective against pregnancy, there are no guarantees. Once your cycles resume or if you are 6 months post delivery if you are not ready to have an "oopsie" you need to talk to your provider about secure contraception options.
5. Drinking alcohol will affect your fertility: Excess or binge drinking can definitely affect your fertility. However, a couple glasses of wine or beer should not affect your long term ability to conceive. Again moderation is key. Once you do find out you are pregnant you should avoid alcoholic beverages.
6. Once you get pregnant the risk of miscarriage is very low: Most women don't realize that up to 20% of pregnancies result in losses in the early first trimester. Once a heart beat is visualized on ultrasound that number goes down to 7% and continues to go down as the pregnancy progresses. The reason for this misperception is because most couples that have experienced a loss are not likely to talk about it with friends and family. Meanwhile couples with a successful pregnancy tend to advertise on Facebook with endless baby bump photos and gender reveal ideas inspired by Pinterest.
7. Frequent intercourse decreases male fertility: We hear it all the time from patients- I was told you should only have intercourse every other day during your fertile window (days leading up to ovulation). In order to maximize your ability to conceive it is best to have intercourse 1 to 2 times per day during your fertile window. Actually, abstinence of greater than 10 days leads to a decrease in healthy sperm cells. I promise this statistic is real and not promulgated by some sex crazed spring breakers.
Pam
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