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Missionary is best for conceiving If you’re older than most mums-to-be, it’s unlikely you’ll get pregnant Most women ovulate on day 14 Your diet can influence the sex of your child Home ovulation kits can help you to conceive

Chances are you’re already marking your most fertile days on the calendar and taking your prenatal vitamins. It’s a lot to think about, but we’re here to support you from the start.

With so much information out there, it’s understandable if you feel overwhelmed and confused. To help you separate fertility facts from fiction and test your knowledge, why not take our fertility quiz?

1 – Missionary is best for conceiving

Fact/Myth

There are some age-old beliefs that trying certain positions during sex will up your chances of conceiving, but there’s no solid research to back this up. With that in mind, go for what you and your partner like most, so that while you’re trying to get pregnant, you’re also having the best possible time.

2 – If you’re older than most mums-to-be, it’s unlikely you’ll get pregnant

Fact/Myth

It is true that the number of eggs you have decrease over time, so as you get older, the odds of conceiving decrease.1 However, there are many other lifestyle factors – including smoking and stress – that may affect fertility.2 Although fertility may decrease with age, there are many women that get pregnant over the age of 35!!

3 – Most women ovulate on day 14

Fact/Myth

It’s very common to ovulate on other days.2 Cycles vary in length from woman to woman (and even from month to month). Getting familiar with your fertile window is key because even if you have a 28-day cycle, ovulation can occur as early as day 11 and as late as day 20.

4 – Your diet can influence the sex of your child

Fact/Myth

Don’t be fooled by thinking that eating more salt will help you to conceive a boy, or dairy-rich meals will improve your chances of having a girl.3 Your child’s sex is down to whether the sperm fertilizing the egg is carrying an “X” (female) or “Y” (male) chromosome. It is advised to eat a healthy diet and to take a prenatal vitamin. In early pregnancy, a diet rich in folates (folic acid) can help to reduce the risk of birth defects.4

5 – Home ovulation kits can help you to conceive

Fact/Myth

While home ovulation kits won’t magically do anything to boost your fertility, they can alert you to the days when you’re most fertile (ie, around ovulation). This means that if you’re trying for a baby, you can make sure that you’re having sex when sex is more likely to lead to conception.5

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  1. Optimizing natural fertility: a committee opinion Practice Committee of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine in collaboration with the Society for Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility Published: October 26, 2016 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fertnstert.2016.09.029

  2. Mary Marnach, M.D. (2021). What ovulation signs can I look out for if I’m trying to conceive? https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/getting-pregnant/expert-answers/ovulation-signs/faq-20058000

  3. Institute of Women’s Health and Reproduction Sciences. Maternal Nutrition and Child’s Sex – an internal review. Vol. 6, No. 4, October 2018, 394–399

  4. Cueto HT, Riis AH, Hatch EE, Wise LA, Rothman KJ, Sørensen HT, Mikkelsen EM. Folic acid supplementation and fecundability: a Danish prospective cohort study. Eur J Clin Nutr. 2016 Jan;70(1):66-71. doi: 10.1038/ejcn.2015.94. Epub 2015 Jun 17. PMID: 26081493

  5. Johnson, Sarah PhD; Marriott, Lorrae MSc; Zinaman, Michael MD Increased Likelihood of Pregnancy from Sex on the Two Days Before Ovulation [5B], Obstetrics & Gynecology: May 2018 - Volume 131 - Issue - p 20S doi: 10.1097/01.AOG.0000532907.57204.dd

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