If you’re trying to get pregnant, there’s one thing you should know: Those myths that certain positions (like having sex while standing) don’t work are exactly that — myths. As long as you’re having intercourse, you’re potentially making a baby.
“Basically, a woman can get pregnant in any position at all,” says Hilda Hutcherson, MD, senior associate dean at the Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons. “The sperm can swim upstream, sideways, and upside down — it doesn’t matter.”
But there are a couple of ways to improve your chances of getting pregnant — especially if you’ve been having difficulties — and that’s where some good oldfashioned missionary comes in. Although any position that requires you to lie on your back will do the trick: “Make sure at the time the male ejaculates, you’re in a position in which the semen pools around the cervix for a longer period of time. That’s any position where you’re lying on your back with your hips elevated,” Hutcherson says. After ejaculation, remain with your hips elevated for 30 minutes to an hour. Hutcherson has another tip that you’re really (really, really, really) going to enjoy.
“I also tell women to experience orgasm. When you experience orgasm, there’s a contraction — spasms of the pelvic floor of the uterus — and they think that helps suck the semen up into the cervix. You won’t find it in a textbook, but anecdotally — not scientifically — I’ve found it helps women get pregnant,” she says. “But then women ask, ‘Well, how am I supposed to do that?’ I usually tell them with a toy, with their partner’s help, or manually — but it’s just something else to think about.”
Using these expert-approved tips, here are 10 positions — all on your back, some with elevated hips, and most making it easier to orgasm — that will have you shopping for baby clothes before you know it.
CLASSIC MISSIONARY
When it comes to baby-making, you can’t beat missionary — and no, it doesn’t have to be
boring. Unlike other positions, you’re getting a ton of skin-to-skin contact, making things
even more intimate. Just lie on your back with your guy on top, and feel free to lock eyes
while he’s thrusting.
BENT KNEES
The next time you’re on bottom during sex, lie on your back and bring your knees up to your
chest, wrapping your legs around your guy. The easy change will allow a deeper thrust —
and give the sperm a better chance of getting where they need to go.
LEGS IN THE AIR
Lying back with your legs in a V-shape might feel weird at first — but once you get
comfortable, it’ll start to feel good. (Really good.) The variation on missionary basically gives
him full access to you, making it easy to thrust without any barriers. If your legs get tired, feel
free to bend them.
THE CAT
If you haven’t heard of the coital alignment technique (CAT) sex position, just wait because
it’s about to blow your mind. Lie on your back and have your man hop on top, this time with
his body positioned further up and slightly to one side, so his chest is near your shoulders
and your legs are bent at around a 45-degree angle. Being in this position maximizes clitoral
stimulation while you’re having sex, which is great for making a baby
PIRATE’S BOUNTY
Ready for a real gem? To master Pirate’s Bounty — and find some treasure in the form of an
epic orgasm — lie on your back with your guy kneeling in front of you. Put one leg on his
shoulder and the other wrapped around his thigh so your body is positioned kind of like a
ship’s mast. You’ll be saying “Aye aye, captain!” all night.
THE BUTTERFLY
Ready to spread your wings — or, um, your legs? To master the Butterfly, lie on your back
with your hips right at the edge of the bed. Put your ankles on his shoulders and have him
hold your hips up as he enters you, slightly tilting your hips toward the ceiling and giving him
better access to your G-spot.
EDGE OF THE BED
Sometimes using a prop during sex makes all the difference, and all you need for this move
is your bed. Position your hips at the edge and have your guy stand in front of you. Then
simply place your feet on his chest as he deeply thrusts.
SCISSORS
When it comes to the rock-paper-scissors of sex positions, scissors always wins. To master
this move, all you need to do is lie on your back and let your guy do the rest of the work:
Have him kneel on the bed in front of you and hold your legs apart in a V-shape. Then as
he’s thrusting, he can open and close your legs like scissors, creating a sensation that’s hard
to beat.
SHOULDER STAND
The Shoulder Stand requires a little more work, but it’s totally worth it. Lie on your back with
your man kneeling in front of you, then have him boost up your hips with one arm as he
supports himself on the bed with the other. Put a little weight on your shoulders to help hold
your hips up, and enjoy
LEG WRAP
This might be one of the easiest moves, but it’s also one of the best in terms of sensation.
When you’re in missionary, straighten your legs after he’s inside you and gently wrap them
around his. Add a pillow for an even deeper penetration.
