Dads-to-be: if you’re trying to start a family, keep yourself and your partner away from smoky places. And if you’re a smoker yourself, give up. You’re cutting your chances of becoming a father by a third.
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So say researchers at Bristol University, who’ve found that women who were exposed to second-hand tobacco smoke were 15% less likely to succeed within a year.
Delayed conception was increased by partners who smoked. Aspirant dads who smoked 20 cigarettes or more per day cut the couple’s chances of successful conception by 34%.
A study conducted in Mexico found that men who smoked had significantly lower sperm density – meaning it was weaker and less likely to lead to conception – than non-smoking men.
Smoking continues to play a role once the baby is o conceived too. It’s been identified as a cause of higher rates of miscarriage and behavioural problems.
Behavioural problems
Sons of women who smoked over half a pack of cigarettes a day while pregnant are more likely to grow up displaying such antisocial behaviour than sons of women who did not smoke during pregnancy, according to a six-year study in the US.
“Conduct disorder” is a persistent pattern of “lying, setting fires, vandalism, physical cruelty, forcible sexual activity and stealing,” a report in the Washington Post said.
A mental health problem that affects mainly male children, conduct disorder is difficult to diagnose and treat. Researchers claim that children who suffer from this behavioural problem are “markedly more likely to use criminal justice, mental health, substance abuse, medical and special education services.”
That said, there are some ways of encouraging conception – by choosing a lovemaking position that deposits sperm close to your partner’s cervix.
Man on a mission
The much-maligned, much-practiced missionary position (man on top) has been suggested as the one that affords the best opportunity for baby-making, though no definitive studies exist. It affords the deepest penetration and, as a result, places sperm closer to the cervix.
If you’re feeling energetic and optimistic, your partner can place a pillow under hips so that her cervix is exposed to the maximum amount of sperm.
To help prevent boredom and outbreaks of playing Monopoly among disillusioned couples, there are other useful positions.
Rear-entry, when the man enters the woman from behind, lying down or kneeling, which also deposits sperm near the cervix. Side-by-side is relaxing position that enables prolonged lovemaking.
Arguably the worst position for making babies is the woman-on-top one, because gravity works against you, pulling sperm back down from the cervix. Standing or sitting are discouraged for the same reason.
And lastly - we realise you knew this instinctively - but your partner’s orgasm is important too. It’s now thought that the contractions during climax help to carry sperm up the cervix. - (William Smook)
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