This is a very common question I get asked by my patients. The short answer to this question is – any position!
Sperm can be found in the cervical canal seconds after ejaculation, regardless of coital position. In fact, studies in which labeled particles were placed deep in the vagina during the “fertile window” showed them to be transported to the fallopian tubes in less than 2 minutes! (You can calculate your fertile window with this easy-to-use fertility calendar.) Of interest is the fact that the particles were observed only into the tube adjacent to the ovary with the dominant follicle and not on the other side!
Many couples routinely follow “after sex” rituals to increase the chance of conception. A common maneuver is for the female to lay supine for a while, often with a pillow below the hips to raise them. This (and other maneuvers) is done in an attempt to prevent leakage of semen from the vagina. Unfortunately, this does not make a difference and has no scientific foundation.
Female orgasm may promote sperm transport, but there is no known relationship between orgasm and fertility.
The gender of the child is not influenced by the coital position!
Some vaginal lubricants may decrease fertility. Tests have shown that many of the commercially available water-based lubricants (e.g. KY Jelly®, Touch® and Astroglide®) reduce sperm motility. Other oil-based lubricants (mineral oil) have no such detrimental effect. Pre-Seed® (INGfertility, Valleyford WA) is a hydroxyethylcellulose based lubricant that has no negative effect on sperm.
Dr. Karande is Board Certified in the specialty of Obstetrics and Gynecology as well as the subspecialty of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility. He is a Fellow of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and Member of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine.
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Karande and Associates d/b/a InVia
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