We all know family planning can be a huge, life-changing decision. It’s a topic that sometimes can be uncomfortable to think or talk about, even with a medical professional. However like all scary medical things, it’s important to get the facts and make informed decisions. Understanding your fertility is no different.
In honor of Valentine’s month we teamed up with Kindbody’s Dr. Rebecca Nelken, an OB/GYN at the Kindbody Century City location, to get all your questions answered around sex & fertility.
1. How often should I be having sex to get pregnant?
How often is not as important as when. Your chance of getting pregnant increases dramatically if you have sex on the day you ovulate, or the days leading up to your ovulation. This period is known as your “fertile window.”
2. How do I know when I’m ovulating?
Ovulation typically occurs halfway through your menstrual cycle, or day 14 of the average 28-day cycle (counting from the first day of one period to the first day of the next).
3. What are my odds of getting pregnant from sex each month?
If you are having regular sex without birth control, you have around a 25-30% chance of getting pregnant each month. However, this can vary widely depending on circumstances, particularly related to age.
4. I find having sex painful. What should I do?
Painful sex is something that can most likely be fixed. I recommend reaching out to your gynecologist and or healthcare provider as this can be caused from a variety of factors — anything from nerve pain, pelvic floor tension, to the position of your uterus. If you’d like to schedule a gynecology appointment with Kindbody, click here.
5. Is there a specific sex position that will help me get pregnant?
No – any position that feels good to you is best! Baby making can sometimes take the fun out of sex, so I encourage patients to do whatever feels best to them.
6. Is sex the best way to get pregnant?
It is not! Every year, more and more people (including LGBTQ+ individuals and couples) are getting pregnant with assisted reproductive technology, including IUI and IVF.
7. When should I seek fertility care from a healthcare professional?
If you’re a woman under 35 and have been trying to get pregnant for one year, having regular unprotected intercourse, then I’d advise scheduling time with a fertility specialist to get an assessment and a personalized plan for next steps. However, if you’re a woman that has faced irregular periods, negative ovulation tests, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and or if you/your partner have a history of infertility – I’d advise coming in for a fertility assessment even sooner.
