6 Common Misconceptions About Getting Pregnant

common misconceptions about getting pregnant

It seems like everyone has advice when you’re trying to get pregnant. Whether it’s your grandmother insisting that you eat double-yolked eggs, your organic friend who swears you just need to switch to raw milk, or a social media influencer promoting supplements to cure PCOS, everyone has something to say. 

Some claims are obviously false, while others may seem logical. However, it’s best to stick to sound facts and science when trying to conceive.

1. As Long As You’re Healthy, Getting Pregnant Is Easy

Many people believe that as long as they have a healthy lifestyle, getting pregnant will be easy. Yet we know that infertility affects approximately one out of every six people worldwide regardless of their overall health and lifestyle.

While health is linked to a host of fertility benefits, including improved sperm counts and more regular ovulation, it isn’t always enough to overcome all infertility issues. It’s totally normal to not get pregnant right away, but once you’ve been trying for 12 months, it’s time to see a doctor, and you should see a doctor sooner if you’re over 35. 

2. You Can’t Get Pregnant After 35

Your fertility naturally declines with age, and, on average, it declines faster once you reach age 35. As a result, the belief that you can’t get pregnant after 35 has become one of the most common misconceptions about getting pregnant. 

It’s possible to have a baby in your 30s, 40s, and sometimes even later. And for some, having a baby naturally in their late 30s isn’t an issue. But if you’re over 35 and have already been trying for six months or more, it’s time to see a fertility specialist.

3. Taking Birth Control For Too Long Will Stop You From Getting Pregnant

This misconception hasn’t been helped by the prevalence of claims being spread on social media, usually promoting supplements to “fix your fertility.” Rest assured that taking birth control, even if you’ve been on it for years, will not impact your long-term fertility.

Once you stop taking birth control, whether it’s oral birth control pills, patches, or an IUD, your hormone levels return to normal, along with your fertility and ability to get pregnant. In many cases, normal fertility returns within a month after stopping birth control, though it’s not uncommon for it to take a few months for your body to regulate your hormone levels. 

4. You Should Try a Particular Position to Get Pregnant

One of the most enduring misconceptions about getting pregnant is that particular positions during or after sex will affect your chances of conceiving. You’ve likely heard that specific positions make it easier for sperm to reach the egg, or that lying on your back with your legs in the air will help keep sperm inside you. 

There is NO evidence that sexual positions or methods have any impact on conception. Millions of sperm cells are ejaculated during intercourse, and they are able to swim efficiently to the egg regardless of your position. 

5. Using Cough Syrup Will Boost Your Chances of Getting Pregnant

This is one misconception that seems to have at least started out with logical scientific reasoning. We know that cough syrup works by thinning the mucus in your respiratory tract, making it not too big a jump to wonder whether it would also thin the mucus surrounding your cervix, allowing sperm to pass through more easily. Before you reach for the Robitussin, you should know that this pregnancy misconception has been debunked.

Not only does taking cough syrup fail to provide any fertility benefits, taken in excess it could be harmful to your health. Take cough syrup if you truly need it, but don’t take it in an attempt to boost your chances of getting pregnant. 

6. Fertility Treatments Are Always Unaffordable

Finally, another common misconception is that fertility treatments are always unaffordable. While there’s no denying that fertility treatments can be expensive, particularly if your insurance doesn’t cover it, fertility treatments may be more affordable than you realize.

Infertility can be caused by many things, and sometimes much less expensive interventions, like using medication to trigger ovulation, may help. And if it turns out that you need more expensive treatments, like IVF, you may be able to finance your treatment. Here at RHWC we partner with leading financial organizations to offer in-house fertility financing. Our team will work with you to find the best way to financially approach your treatment.

Facts to Remember

Getting pregnant isn’t always easy, and there are plenty of misconceptions. Don’t panic if you don’t get pregnant right away. But if you’ve been trying to get pregnant for 12 months (6 months if you’re over 35), you should consult a fertility specialist. It’s also perfectly fine to see a specialist sooner if you have any other fertility concerns. Dr. Marcus Rosencrantz and our team in Laguna Hills, CA are here to help. 

Schedule a consultation at RHWC here.

Reproductive Health and Wellness

At Reproductive Health and Wellness Center, we are experts at treating fertility issues. We provide the latest in cutting-edge embryo science by using the latest technologies, and we create innovative fertility plans tailored specifically to each individual. But we’re so much more.

Reproductive Health and Wellness

At Reproductive Health and Wellness Center, we are experts at treating fertility issues. We provide the latest in cutting-edge embryo science by using the latest technologies, and we create innovative fertility plans tailored specifically to each individual. But we’re so much more.

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