It’s very possible to get pregnant without engaging in sexual intercourse. While ideally, sperm needs to be deposited as close as possible to the cervix to get pregnant (as it would be after vaginal penetration), as long as semen gets anywhere near the vagina or it’s opening, you can conceive.
This may very well occur if a man ejaculates outside the vagina, or conception can take place if semen gets on someone’s fingers and those fingers get close to or a placed inside the vagina.
Also, you can conceive without ejaculation if an erect penis gets anywhere near the vagina area. When a man gets an erection, a little amount of semen- a drop or two – is emitted.
This is sometimes called pre-cum or pre-ejaculation, and it happens before actual ejaculation. Note that you can’t get pregnant from using a hot tub, toilet seat, swimming in a public pool, or bathing in any other body of water.
Wanting to get pregnant without sexual intercourse
While some women worry that they conceived without sexual intercourse, others want to know to get pregnant without having sex.
Women who experience pain during vaginal penetration may not be able to engage in sex frequently enough to conceive. Conditions like vulvodynia and vaginismus can make sex very uncomfortable or even painfully impossible.
Ideally, you should see your doctor for diagnosis and treatment if you frequently experience pain during sex. Pain during sexual intercourse can be caused by a lot of conditions, some of which can have a negative effect on your fertility.
There are available treatments that are worth a try. However, let’s assume you already met with your doctor and began treatments, but they haven’t been showing any positive signs of relieving your pain.
Or, maybe the process has been slow, and you don’t want to wait until you can tolerate sex before you begin trying to conceive. Or maybe, you can’t bring yourself to speak with your doctor about the plan.
Are there any other ways to get pregnant? Of cause, there are some alternatives.
Splash pregnancy: getting pregnant through ejaculation outside the vaginal opening
This is the right time to mention that spouses who can’t engage in sexual intercourse can still have sex. The meaning of sex goes way beyond vaginal intercourse. One possible way to conceive without intercourse is to have the man ejaculate as close as possible to the vaginal opening.
The fertilisation that occurs when semen gets in close contact with the outer vagina area (intentionally or accidentally) without intercourse or penetration is sometimes referred to as “splash pregnancy.”
So long as semen is able to reach the vaginal areas or vulva, you have a chance of conceiving. It’s even better if semen is ejaculated slightly inside of the vagina.
However, it’s arguable how likely it is that you get pregnant. Some researches discuss women with lifelong vaginismus having a baby this way. With that said, there hasn’t been any study that examined the odds of using this method to conceive.
When compared to partners having more normal sexual intercourse, it’s certainly much lower.
If you plan on giving it a try, make sure to take all other actions to boost your odds of conceiving. You’ll want to
- Use only lubricants that are fertility-friendly
- Be sure to program sex near ovulation
- After sex, try staying flat on your back for some time.
- Maybe try to have an orgasm just after or before (if possible, without disturbing the deposited sperm)
IUI and other methods of insemination
Another alternative for spouses unable to engage in sexual intercourse is to try artificial insemination. Artificial insemination can be defined as the collection of semen and transferring it into either the vaginal canal, the cervix, or into the uterus.
Intrauterine insemination, or IUI, is the most widely used method due to its high success rate. Though it’s not required, IUI usually combines treatment with fertility drugs.
When looking at IUI success rates, keep in mind that these studies majorly look at partners with fertility problems. If there are no additional issues of fertility and your only problem in getting pregnant is pain during sex (and the pain does not result from a condition harming your fertility), you may have increased success rate.
IUI wouldn’t be very helpful to people who cannot withstand any penetration. Artificial insemination requires the placement of a gynaecological speculum.
Upon insertion of the catheter, there may also be slightly cramping. However, IUI can be an option for those who only feel pain from penile penetration or thrusting.
At-home insemination or “the turkey baster” method
Another possible alternative is the so-called “turkey baster method or at-home insemination. This technique can be risky if not done properly. But it is a method many couples in this situation try.
The turkey baster method requires a dry, sterile cup to collect the semen. You’ll also need a sterile needless syringe, like the type used to measure out liquid oral medicines.
If you plan to try this method, here are extremely IMPORTANT notes of CAUTIONS:
- Before attempting this method, speak to your doctor, he/she can put you through how to do it safely.
- Never attempt to transfer or inject semen into the uterus or cervix. This is extremely risky and can be fatal. Insemination through the uterus or cervix can only be performed by a fertility specialist as it requires special treatment of the semen. You can also severely injure yourself. At-home insemination can only be through the vagina.
- Before socking up and inseminating the semen, make absolutely sure that the needleless syringe has no pockets of air. A fatal air embolism can occur as a result of introducing air into the vagina.
- At-home insemination does not lower or eliminates the risk of STDs. Sexually transmitted diseases and infections are still transmitted to a woman through insemination.
- Make sure all equipment—from the needless syringe to the sup—is brand new, completely dry and clean. If needed, use only fertility-friendly lubricants.
- At-home insemination can lead to injury and infection if done improperly
- Proceed at your own risk; the information here should not be taken for medical advice. Always check in with your doctor before proceeding.
And some legal precautions
- First, consult with a reproductive lawyer if you’re doing this with someone other than your legally married partner.
- Whether known or unknown, do not try at-home insemination with a sperm donor. In most areas, the court does not recognise insemination done without a medical professional as a donor-conceived child. This means that even you both sign a written contract; the sperm donor can insist on parental rights legally, and the mother may be able to attain payments from the donor legally.
- Proceed at your own risk; the information here should not be taken for medical advice.
Bottom line
For persons trying to conceive with sexual intercourse: While it may be possible to get pregnant without penile penetration, the best alternative methods are either invasive and expensive (as with IUI) or unlikely (as with ejaculating anywhere near the vaginal opening.
The best way to go? Try to treat the sexual pain itself. Speak with your doctor or gynaecologist for options and resources.
Vaginal penetration shouldn’t be painful, and you don’t have to suffer. If one medical professional can’t help, try another. Keep searching until you find someone who can be of help.
If you feel you conceived without sexual intercourse—though it’s unlikely—but it is possible to conceive so long semen gets in contact with the vaginal opening or the vulva area. It’s also possible – because of pre-ejaculate – to get pregnant if an erect penis gets close to the vulva or vaginal opening.
