Many of the difficulties that you may face on the road to pregnancy can be overcome by using different sexual positions. Knowing your body and your partner's body can help you increase your chances of achieving a pregnancy more quickly.

Sexual Issues

The primary objective of sexual relations on the road to a baby is that you have semen deposited near your cervix. But you may face certain sexual issues that make this difficult.

If your husband has problems with getting or maintaining an erection, it will be harder for you to get pregnant. Sometimes these issues are resolved by trying different positions. If you need to use a position that is not as optimal for achieving a pregnancy (such as woman-on-top), but is helpful for your partner — by all means use the positions necessary.

The same is true for your partner's ability to ejaculate. If he has problems with ejaculation in certain positions, try alternate positions. This is also true for premature ejaculators. If your partner has trouble with achieving an orgasm, it's also important to talk to his healthcare provider about getting a physical checkup.

Retroverted or Tilted Uterus

If you have previously been diagnosed with a retroverted or tilted uterus you may need a little postural assistance to help the sperm reach the fallopian tubes. This diagnosis simply means that your uterus is tilted in the opposite direction of most women. This usually doesn't have much bearing on your ability to conceive or carry a pregnancy.

The best position for this circumstance is usually a hands and knees position. This allows for extra deep penetration for your husband and it helps the semen reach the cervix. To make it even more likely to help, try bending your arms rather than keeping them straight. Put a pillow under your chest and bring your chest down low. This is also called the knee-chest position.

Problems with Sperm Counts

If your partner has been tested and was found to have problems with his sperm count, you know you need to try certain sexual positions to give the sperm the best chances of getting through the cervix and to the fallopian tubes where it will meet up with your egg.

Using the hands and knees position often works well in this case. You definitely want to avoid positions that allow the semen to seep out of your body or where the sperm has to work extra hard to find the cervix. This means avoiding positions like standing up during sex.

The hands and knees position also helps in cases where your partner's sperm has poor motility, meaning the sperm doesn't move as well or as quickly as is typical.

Weight Issues

If either you or your husband is overweight, some positions may be less comfortable for you. If you find you have weight-related concerns about positions, try alternatives. Often the side lying position works well for couples with weight issues. It allows full body contact and the ability for penetration to occur without one partner bearing the weight of the other.

Back Problems

Back problems in you or your partner may make sex more difficult. Side lying also works for back problems with both partners or for one of you having problems. If your partner is the one with back problems, you might try more woman-dominant positions. Then immediately lie down after your husband has his orgasm to try to help the sperm get where it needs to go.

If you are the one with back problems, man-dominant positions might be helpful. Figure out what works for you and your partner. If the partner who suffers back problems prefers lying down, simply supplement the position you choose to use with lying down after intercourse to encourage gravity to run its course.