Fertility myths debunked

Don't waste sperm

What you've heard
Forego sex for a few days or even weeks so there’ll be plenty in the pipes when the woman is ovulating.

Does it work?
No. In fact, it could backfire. 'If a man withholds from ejaculation for more than ten days it can actually reduce sperm motility,' says Dr. Domar. Don’t hold out until ovulation day because it can be tricky determining exactly when you’re ovulating. A better idea: Have sex two or three times a week.

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Perfect your position

What you've heard
Choosing a particular sexual position, like doggie-style or missionary, can help spur conception because they allow for deeper penetration.

Does it work?
These positions do help deposit sperm closer to the cervix, but the extra depth doesn’t make much difference. A woman’s slippery cervical mucus should give sperm all the help they need to reach their destination.

Deeper penetration may help the small percentage of women whose uterus is tilted backward instead of forward. 'But for the vast majority of women it doesn’t matter what position they use,' Dr. Domar says.

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Go for the Big O

What you've heard
You have to have an orgasm in order to conceive - the muscle contractions that occur during orgasm are necessary to move sperm toward the cervix.

Does it work?
It’s always nice to climax during sex, but it’s not necessary in order to conceive. Sperm can move just fine whether or not you see fireworks. 'Sperm don’t need the help of muscle contractions - there are plenty of women who get pregnant without reaching orgasm,' Dr. Domar says.

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Eat more fish

What you've heard
Fatty fish, like salmon, contain omega-3 fatty acids, which can regulate the menstrual cycle and boost fertility.

Does it work?
'There’s no evidence that omega-3 fatty acids or fish oil help people get pregnant,' Dr. Domar says. However, eating a healthy diet and maintaining a normal body weight does help pave the way for a healthy pregnancy and are especially crucial in your baby’s brain development.

Choose lots of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, low-fat dairy and healthy proteins, such as fish and chicken. Be mindful of how much fish you do eat, says Dr. Bayer. Some fish are high in mercury, which can be detrimental to a pregnancy. 'You should avoid tuna, mackerel, shark and tile fish and limit all other fish to two meals per week,' he says.

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Do yoga

What you've heard
The stretching and strength-building of yoga can help you conceive.

Does it work?
Gentle, relaxing yoga can help your body fight stress by reducing blood pressure and heart rate, and lowering the levels of stress hormones in your blood. 'But I’ve never seen any evidence that it increases pregnancy rates,' Dr. Domar says.

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Stop and smell the roses

What you've heard
Smelling the essential oil of roses, geraniums, chamomile, basil, jasmine and lavender can boost fertility.

Does it work?
'Aromatherapy can alter brain wave patterns and make people feel relaxed and less anxious,' Domar says. But there’s no proof that aromatherapy increases fertility.

In fact, the National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy recommends that women err on the side of extreme caution and not use aromatherapy oils during the first three months of pregnancy. It may make sense to avoid them while you’re trying to conceive - but it’s probably fine to relax in a rose-scented bubble bath or pamper yourself with some lavender body lotion.

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