Is There a Best Sex Position to Get Pregnant? Here Are 8 to Try

Ready to start a family? There are no “wrong” sex positions to get pregnant—but there may be a few positions that increase the likelihood of sperm meeting egg. While the scientific proof may be scant, there’s no harm in giving them a whirl. (You know, for curiosity’s sake!) You’ve got nothing to lose, and maybe a baby to gain. Find out about the best sex positions to get pregnant, here—we’ve even included instructions and a handy visual aid.

The Best Sex Positions to Get Pregnant

You might be wondering: What is the best sex position to get pregnant? “There are no known ‘Cirque du Soleil’ sexual positions that have been medically proven to help get you pregnant, but there is a healthy intuition that certain positions improve the fertility footprint in helping the egg and sperm meet up in the fallopian tube,” says Sherry Ross, MD, women’s sexual health expert and author of She-ology and She-ology, the She-quel. “Since the cervix is the gateway into the uterus and fallopian tube, it would make sense to have the sperm as close as possible to the cervix to help it swim up towards the eggs.” To that end, she recommends positions with deeper penetration, such as missionary and reverse cowgirl. Try some of the ideas below:

Missionary

Tried and true, missionary might just be the best position to get pregnant. It puts gravity in your favor, says Nita Landry, MD, an ob-gyn, TV host and author of Dr. Nita’s Crash Course for Women: Better Sex, Better Health, Better You. “In woman-on-top positions, the sperm has to swim upstream, but man on top allows sperm to flow into your vaginal opening and toward your cervix,” she says. For added effectiveness, place a pillow underneath your bottom, which can give an even more favorable angle for sperm.

From behind (aka doggie style)

“Any position that allows deep penetration can help the sperm get as close to the cervix as possible and may make conception more [likely],” Landry says. This position, where a man enters a woman as she rests on all fours, does exactly that.

Legs on shoulders

A twist on missionary—in which a woman hooks her legs on her partner’s shoulders during intercourse—this position allows sperm to get as close to the cervix as possible while also having the benefit of gravity, Landry says.

CAT (Coital alignment technique)

Missionary not your thing? This position may be effective in assisting female orgasm (which, to be clear, is not a factor in conception, but it’s an added bonus!) while letting sperm swim downstream. The woman splays out her knees so the man’s lower torso fits between. Then, instead of thrusting, the man and woman rock their pelvises together in rhythm—which still gives you the gravity-assisting effect of missionary.

Reverse cowgirl

About a quarter of women have a tipped or retroverted uterus, and if you’re among them, this might be the best sex position to get pregnant. Here, the woman sits on her partner facing away from him, providing a unique angle of entry. Chances are, you don’t know whether you have a retroverted uterus or not, so why not try this position anyway, just in case (and just for fun).

Side-by-side scissors

In this position, you lie side by side, facing each other, as the male partner enters the woman. This position can also give the deep entry that may help the sperm quickly reach the cervix.

Rear entry

As the woman lies on her stomach, the man enters her from behind. This position may help the penis reach more deeply in the vaginal opening than missionary position, according to a Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy study, which (believe it or not) documented the findings with an MRI.

Wheelbarrow

You don’t have to be a yogi or gymnast to try this one, but it’s admittedly among the more adventurous sex positions to get pregnant. The woman gets into position, as if she were about to be the wheelbarrow in a wheelbarrow race—hands either on the floor or bed (she can also rest on her elbows). The man holds the woman’s legs and lines up his thighs between hers, entering from behind, which allows for the deep penetration that can bring the sperm closer to the egg.

Why Do Sex Positions Matter?

“While no position will guarantee conception, I tell patients to consider positions that help take advantage of gravity,” says Landry. “But the position doesn’t matter nearly as much as being healthy before you begin trying.” She advises that both you and your partner make a preconception appointment to discuss your health and lifestyle habits.

Once you’ve checked that appointment off your list, preconception prep also includes knowing when you’re ovulating by keeping an ovulation calendar and being aware of potential ovulation clues. On the days that you’re fertile (usually five days leading up to ovulation and 24 hours after), Landry advises having sex every other day.

Now that you know all about the best sex positions to get pregnant, it might be time to try out a few. Just remember that many other factors affect your fertility. Be sure to talk to your doctor if you have any concerns about your chances of conceiving.

Please note: The Bump and the materials and information it contains are not intended to, and do not constitute, medical or other health advice or diagnosis and should not be used as such. You should always consult with a qualified physician or health professional about your specific circumstances.