fertility, marriage, menstruation, pregnancy, reltaionships, sex during pregnancy, sexuality - By Brandie on Tuesday, November 16, 2010 - 14:57

Sex, Fertility & Pregnancy

Tip # 1: Sex & Menstruation

Depending on the lengths of the woman's menstrual cycles and her periods, it is possible for a woman to get pregnant while having her period. It is rare, however. Ovulation occurs fourteen days before the next period begins. For woman with a 28-day cycle, ovulation would be around day 14. For some women it's shorter (i.e., 24-day cycle means ovulation occurs on day 10). The egg only lives a day or two after ovulation, but sperm can still wait five days (or longer) for the egg to arrive. Therefore, if ovulation is on day 10, sex that occurred on day 5 might still lead to pregnancy. Some women will still be menstruating on day 5, or even day 7.

Tip # 2: Fertility

There are several reasons why couples have trouble conceiving. Here are a few tips to improve your chances:

• The best time to have intercourse is on the day or evening before ovulation, so that sperm will already be waiting in the fallopian tube when the egg arrives.

•  The woman should lie still for about ten minutes after intercourse to give the sperm that have entered the vagina enough time to proceed through the cervix. (If some seeps out after intercourse is not a problem; it only takes one sperm to penetrate an egg.)
• Also, try to have intercourse at least three times during the week the woman expects to ovulate. This raises the odds that sperm will be present in the fallopian tubes when ovulation occurs.

Tip # 3: Sex During Pregnancy

Generally speaking, it is perfectly safe to engage in sex and sexual activity throughout a normal pregnancy. “Normal” is defined as a pregnancy that is not at risk for complications like miscarriage and/or pre-term labor. However, there are things you should not do at any point during your pregnancy. If you and your partner have oral sex, your partner should not blow air into your vagina. This can cause an air embolism, which is a blockage of a blood vessel by an air bubble. The result can be fatal to both the mother and child. Also, be sure to know the sexual history of the partner you are with. Now especially it is important to avoid contracting sexually transmitted diseases, such as herpes, genital warts, Chlamydia or HIV. These diseases may not only infect you, but may also be transmitted to your baby.

Tip # 4: Conception Without Penetration

Many couples use the rhythm method as a form of contraception. Basically, this involves the man pulling his penis out of the woman’s vagina just before he climaxes. Sometimes men and women refrain from intercourse and choose mutual masturbation as a sexual option while a woman is ovulating. It’s important to note two things: First, penetration is not required for a woman to become pregnant. Second, sperm can remain active for several days in the body. Therefore, if semen is transferred from outside the body to inside (by fingers or other means) while a woman is ovulating, it is certainly possible that she could become impregnated.

Tip # 5: Sex Positions During Pregnancy

As your pregnancy progresses, you may find your favorite sex positions no longer feel comfortable to you. The Missionary position, for example, can become troublesome in later months. If pressure on your belly makes sex uncomfortable during pregnancy, try a few variations. The Spooning position is ideal because the woman is able to lie on her side as she receives her partner from behind. Some women prefer versions of the female superior position, either straddling her partner as he lies down or having him sit up and support her with his legs and arms. Congress of the Cow or Doggie Style positions may also appeal, but extra care should be given that the woman does not strain her back.

Photo By: Better Sex