Having unprotected sex is one of the most common methods for trying to get pregnant at home. It involves sperm released from a male partner entering the vagina of a female partner, where it can join with an egg and cause pregnancy. To increase the chances of conceiving, it’s important for couples to understand how sperm works and how long sperm will survive when outside of the body in different environments. Knowing these facts can help couples make informed choices about when and how to have intercourse if they want to become pregnant. Sperm are stored inside a man's testicles and need to be ejaculated into a woman’s vagina in order for her to become pregnant. After ejaculation, sperm swim through the vagina into the uterus, where they attempt to make their way to the fallopian tubes. If sperm is successful in reaching an egg that is released from the woman’s ovaries, fertilization can occur and pregnancy can begin. For this reason, timing of intercourse relative to ovulation is important for couples trying to conceive. Having intercourse every two or three days throughout a woman's cycle increases chances of sperm meeting with an egg at just the right time. Additionally, sperm are more effective when delivered closer to the cervix — so sexual positions where sperm don't have far to swim will be most effective for conception attempts at home. Keep in mind that sperm can survive up to five days inside a woman's body, meaning it doesn't necessarily take place on the exact day you're trying to conceive. If you're trying to get pregnant at home and wondering if sperm can go bad, sperm die quickly when exposed to air or extreme temperatures—so using spermicide or having intercourse with a condom won’t be as effective for conceiving. However, sperm stored inside the body remain viable until ejaculation — meaning that sperm from multiple days will all be released during one ejaculation event. So even if sperm has been stored within the body for a few days, it still has the potential of fertilizing an egg. Ultimately, couples should understand how long sperm can survive both in and out of the body, as well as what sexual positions may increase chances for conception in order to increase their chances of getting pregnant at home. With proper information and timing, couples can be successful in conceiving a baby at home. Good luck! And don't forget to try our Home Insemination Products.