As we've already discussed,
getting pregnant isn't
necessarily as easy as it
sounds. The percentage game,
however, can be complicated even
more when myths about how to
increase chances are believed
and acted upon.
Old
wives tales, urban legends and
even some myths that are firmly
rooted in fact all revolve
around pregnancy. They
are often handed down from
generation to generation, passed
on as well-meaning advice. While
some things might actually help,
if an idea sounds too crazy or
too unusual, check it out before
you try it.
The truth is if the goal is to
actually conceive, the myths
won't help. Let's take a look at
a few of the most common
misconceptions about conception.
Relaxing
makes it all work out.
While it's true that relaxing
can really help make the process
that leads to conception a whole
lot more fun, stress level has
very little to do with
increasing or decreasing the
chances of conceiving. Stressing
enough to track ovulation can,
for example, help the process
along. Extreme cases of stress,
however, might on an off chance
effect ovulation, but this is
very, very rare.
Cough
syrup is the key. This
one involves thinning the lining
of cervical mucus by drinking an
expectorant prior to trying to
conceive. There's something to
this idea, but there's no proof
if it really helps or doesn’t.
Daytime
is the right time.
Another myth surrounding
conception involves an increased
chance for success when love is
made during the day with the
lights on. While sperm counts
tend to be higher first thing in
the morning, lights have nothing
to do with chances for success.
Increased
sexual activity can help.
While this can be fun, the fact
of the matter is a person can
have sex every five minutes and
not conceive if an egg isn't
ready for fertilization. In
fact, too much sex can lessen a
man's sperm count and make it
harder to conceive when the time
is right.
Headstands. There's a
persistent rumor that says
standing on your head after sex
will increase chances for
conception. While some experts
recommend lying down for a
while, there's no proof
handstands will actually help.
Plus, the simple fact remains
that all the handstands and
headstands in the world won't
help if an egg isn't ready to be
fertilized.
For some people, conceiving is
difficult enough without a bunch
of myths getting in the way of
the facts. If
there's reason for concern,
check with a physician for
assistance. If the well
meaning advice of friends,
family and even co-workers
sounds too good to be true or
too off the wall, seek out the
facts before trying the ideas.
