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Trying for your first baby may be scary, and is always filled with an influx of advice from many well-meaning people. It is important to try to stay relaxed when trying to conceive, so be sure to disregard some common conception myths you might hear. Listen to your body and your doctor to give yourself the best chances of becoming pregnant and carrying a healthy baby to term. Here is some advice you may hear, but should disregard about getting pregnant.
Myth 1: Remain Lying Down for 20 Minutes after Trying
This myth originates with the idea that gravity will pull all of the sperm out of the body of the female. However, there is certainly no evidence to prove this to be true. Each ejaculation has plenty of sperm, the bulk of it being released first, so the strongest and fastest swimmers are able to make it to the fallopian tubes right away. While laying down after sex may give you some mental stress relief, it will not improve your chances of becoming pregnant.
Myth 2: Green Tea Makes You More Fertile
Green tea contains potent antioxidants called polyphenols that help prevent cells in the reproductive organs from becoming damaged, making eggs healthier. However, green tea in large amounts decreases the amount of folic acid in your body, which is a very important nutrient for fetal development. If you would rather have green tea than any other drink, you should be fine, but limit it to about one cup per day.
Myth 3: You Must Try Every Day
The most important part of getting pregnant is the timing. You can have sex multiple times in one day, but if your body is not ovulating, you will not get pregnant. Sperm are able to live inside a woman for up to 3 days, so if ovulation occurs a day or two after sex, you still have the chance to become pregnant. Visit a Center for Reproductive Medicine to help learn your ovulation patterns so you can you’re your schedule accordingly.
Myth 4: Drinking Robitussin Increases Fertility
This myth says that the active ingredient in Robitussin that thins the mucus in your lungs will also thin cervical mucus, allowing sperm to travel through the cervix more easily. However, the mucus quantity is equally as important as its thickness, which will not be affected by cough medicine.
There are many myths you might hear on your way to get pregnant, but the best way is to learn the schedule of your cycle and relax. Do not get wrapped up in myths and wives’ tales only to be disappointed.Image courtesy of sattva at FreeDigitalPhotos.net