10 things you need to know if you want to get pregnant (and also if you don’t)

The possibility of pregnancy is always a reason for expectation, either because the woman really wants to have a baby or because she wants to avoid a pregnancy at that moment in her life. As a result, it is common for there to be many doubts about this subject.

Regardless of whether you are part of the team that is trying to conceive or the group that does not intend to have a baby in their arms in the next few months, these 10 pieces of information are essential for you to successfully follow your planning:

1. A sperm can survive up to 5 days in the uterus

Although the most common is for sperm to survive 48 to 72 hours after ejaculation, it is possible for some more resistant sperm to survive for up to 5 days – although this is quite rare. Thus, there are chances that a woman will get pregnant if she has unprotected sex just a few days before her fertile period.

2. Peeing after intercourse does not prevent pregnancy

Going to the bathroom right after intercourse can actually cause a few million sperm to be flushed down the toilet along with the urine.

However, as an ejaculation can have 200 to 500 million male gametes, sperm lost with pee is not a determining factor in preventing a possible pregnancy.

3. Irregular cycles do not make pregnancy completely unfeasible

Those who have an irregular menstrual cycle will find it more difficult to know when their fertile period is, but this is not a fact that totally prohibits fertilization and pregnancy. Anyway, whether or not you want to get pregnant, it is always recommended to have a medical follow-up.

4. Cervical mucus may be incompatible with semen

In some cases, a woman’s cervical mucus can show characteristics that are hostile to her partner’s semen, which reduces the chances of sperm survival. The result of this, which can be seen through a test called a post-coital test, is that the sperm will be destroyed.

For couples who are not thinking about getting pregnant, condoms prevent any irritation in the woman’s body. For those who would like to have children, it may be necessary to resort to in vitro fertilization or artificial insemination techniques.

5. It is possible to get pregnant soon after stopping the pill

Although the chances of this happening are very low, those who intend to avoid pregnancy should not rely on the “protective effect” of the pill after stopping its use. For those who are expecting to have a baby, it is better to hold off the anxiety for another two or three cycles, when the chances increase.

6. Stress can interfere with ovulation

Women who really want to get pregnant and can’t, even after several attempts, can develop anxiety and stress, which impairs ovulation. Those who face stress or depression for other reasons may also experience this difficulty, as our emotional system interferes with the action of sex hormones.

7. Some medications can reduce the action of the pill

Some types of medication can affect the effect of the birth control pill and reduce the protection offered against an unwanted pregnancy. The main one is rifampicin, an antibiotic that cuts the pill’s effect by up to 50%.

Other antibiotics, anticonvulsants, and natural remedies (especially St. John’s wort) can also interfere with the pill’s effectiveness. So always talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking a medication.

8. Difficulty getting pregnant is not the same for all children

If you’ve faced many obstacles and difficulties in conceiving your first baby, know that it doesn’t necessarily have to be repeated to have your second child. Likewise, a first pregnancy without major problems is also no guarantee that the next one will follow the same pattern.

9. There is no consensus on putting your legs up after intercourse

At least according to Science, there is nothing that proves the effectiveness of staying in this position to increase the chances of getting pregnant. However, some experts argue that this trick prevents the loss of semen, which could flow, and makes the woman more relaxed, which would favor pregnancy.

10. Intimate lubricants can make fertilization difficult

According to several fertility experts, intimate lubricants tend to “hold” sperm longer in the acidic environment of the vagina, which ultimately destroys gametes. Thus, for those who want to get pregnant, it may be more recommended to avoid the use of the product, facilitating the arrival of sperm to the cervical mucus, which is alkaline.

Remember that the best person to clarify your doubts about what can favor or hinder a pregnancy is the obstetrician gynecologist. Therefore, it is essential that you have a professional you can trust and who you feel empathy for during consultations.