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{In no situation do we ever recommend that fertility diagnosis or treatment be undertaken without the oversight of a qualified medical practitioner. Please use the enclosed information as quick reference and for discussion aids with your practitioner.}

Alrighty - we're gonna get pregnant, and we're gonna "do it" in every conceivable position, in every room of the house!

You've polished up your knowledge on sexual frequency and positions to enhance conception -- now let's look at a few more details!

Oral Sex
If you enjoy it, then it shouldn't be a problem. The only possible exception is if certain bacteria are present in the "giver's" saliva, bacteria that may either (a) carry infection, or (b) degrade the constitution of semen. As with other reproductive health issues, the real problem here is that most folks don't know if such bacteria exists in their saliva. We'll leave you with that vague answer to assist in your decision-making...

Anal Sex
Again, shouldn't be a problem with one very important caveat: the man must wash his penis after engaging in anal sex and before inserting into the vagina. Otherwise, the risk of bacterial transmission from anus to vagina is very high, which may actually be catastrophic to a newly-fertilized egg.

Lubricants
This can be a tricky question, since a lot of folks increase their sexual activity when trying to conceive (TTC). The increased activity can sometimes lead to increased friction, which in turn calls for lubrication assistance at times.

The optimal situation for conception is to avoid artificial lubrication. There is some concern about such lubricants' effects on sperm motility (movement) and even on the sperm's life. If, however, sexual intercourse cannot proceed without additional lubrication, then it is strongly recommended that couples avoid oil-based formulas. Any product that is safe to use with condoms is water-based, and therefore, will be safer to use when TTC.

Water Sports
We're just talking about sexual intercourse occurring in water here... nothing too kinky! In general, it's best to avoid such activity when TTC, for several reasons:

• the possibility of unknown bacteria living in the water which can increase chances of infection;
• the presence of chlorine may negatively effect the naturally-optimal pH environment for sperm within the vaginal canal;
• high water temperature (in the case of hot tubs) can hamper a man's sperm production, and possibly, a woman's egg quality.

The Toy Box
As with some of the above, the rule here is "keep it clean" - your vibrator, that is... Sex toys which are inserted into the vagina must be regularly and thoroughly washed, and it's best to avoid using toys that are used by anyone else. Penile rings, clips, and other similar devices should be avoided because of the possible trauma to the scrotum or testicles.

How About the Big O?
First, you'll learn that around here, the "Big O" refers to ovulation! But since we're still talking sex... There are some who think that the order in which a couple orgasms during a sexual encounter can impact the gender of any resulting offspring. Sorry, but the jury is still out on that one, particularly since there are methods being developed which can lead to gender selection through assisted reproductive technology. However, it is believed that as a woman orgasms, the contractions of her reproductive system may draw the sperm further toward the cervix and into the uterus, enhancing conception.