For couples who have decided to have a baby, life can become stressful, rather quickly. Notwithstanding the pressure of getting pregnant, there is a lot of apprehension about the process, primarily due to the stakes involved, but also because of the wealth of information out there.

Unfortunately, the information is not always correct; there are far too many unsubstantiated facts that can make people vary and misguide them.

For information about the entire process and your health, you should only consult the best gynecologist in Lahore, but it also helps in knowing whether the commonly held notions are even true or not.

Facts and myths about fertility

Diet is important for fertility

Myth

Your diet plays an important part in your health, but it won’t necessarily increase your odds of getting pregnant. There are some foods that are hailed as good for improving fertility, but there is no scientific evidence that substantiates this claim, yet.

The egg can stay in the uterus for a couple of days

Myth

Unfortunately, eggs have a time stamp on them, after which they don’t remain viable. This brief window is of 12-24 hours only, and during which, if the sperm is able to fertilize the egg, and the embryo is planted, you then are deemed pregnant.

The good news is sperm can remain in the uterus for up to five days. So, even if you don’t have sex right after ovulation, if you have had it before, your chances are good.

Once you have had a baby, you cannot face fertility problems

Myth

Just because you have gotten pregnant once, does not mean you cannot face fertility challenges later in life. Known as secondary infertility, having trouble conceiving after already having a baby once affects many people globally.

A sex position is important

Myth

Sex position does not have a very crucial role to play. As long as the swimmers are strong, they will reach the destination, regardless. If there are any motility problems with the sperm, you may try a position in which gravity helps, like lifting your hips and letting your partner be on the top. Spooning may also be a good position.

If the issue is serious, your doctor may also recommend intrauterine insemination in which sperm is cleaned and deposited right inside of the uterus by the doctor.

Stress is bad for your fertility

Fact

Stress has a grave impact on all facets of life and can likely also affect fertility as well. Stress can cause changes with the menstrual cycle in women. Reducing stress has also been linked to better performance of fertility treatments as well.

While it sure needs more evidence, currently, the impact of stress is considered significant for the reproductive processes.

The younger you are, the better it is

Fact

Your age plays a crucial role in fertility, especially for women. With age, the quality of the eggs is affected, but more importantly, women only have limited eggs. They thus are on a time crunch. Similarly, problems for men also increase with age. They might face issues with sexual performance, and even their sperm production and quality might also be affected.

Using pills can hamper fertility

Myth

Using a birth control pill does not affect your fertility per se. It causes hormonal changes, and once you are off the pill, your body may take some time to get into the regular rhythm.

While some women can get pregnant immediately after going off the pill, for others, it may take months just to regulate the cycle. When the periods are irregular, it is harder to ascertain the fertile days, and thus the odds decrease.

Some women are dissuaded from using pills because of this very myth. In such cases, it is better that you discuss the pros and cons with the best gynecologist in Rawalpindi and find a birth control option that best fits your requirements.