Does Lying Down After Sex Increase Yoru Chances of Getting Pregnant?
Many beliefs surround increasing the chances of conception, from dietary changes to specific sexual positions.One common idea is that lying down with your hips elevated after intercourse improves your odds. But is there any truth to this claim?
To understand why this idea persists, it’s helpful to review the process of getting pregnant. Ovulation must occur,releasing an egg,which then needs to be fertilized by a sperm cell. If fertilization is successful and the developing embryo implants in the uterus, a pregnancy can begin - a complex journey, to say the least.
The logic behind the “hips-up” method suggests keeping sperm as close to the uterus as possible, minimizing loss as you move. The idea is that maximizing the time sperm spend near the fallopian tubes increases the likelihood of fertilization.
However, according to american Dr. bagdasarian, as reported in Glamour, ”Despite popular myths, lying down after sex does not increase the chance of pregnancy.”
This is supported by research. A 2016 study presented by the European society for Human Reproduction and Embryology investigated this very question. Five hundred women undergoing intrauterine insemination (where sperm is directly injected into the uterus by doctors) were divided into two groups. one group remained lying down for fifteen minutes post-procedure, while the other was allowed to get up and move immediately.
The results were surprisingly similar. Women who got up and moved had a 40% pregnancy rate,compared to 32% in the group that rested. This suggests that remaining still after sex doesn’t significantly impact the chances of conception.
Despite this finding, the overall chance of becoming pregnant isn’t necessarily small. The most effective way to improve your odds remains understanding your ovulation cycle thru menstrual cycle tracking.Additionally, a healthy semen sample should contain at least 15 million sperm cells per milliliter. While some sperm may be lost outside the uterus during intercourse, a sufficient number typically reach their destination. After all, it only takes one strong swimmer to reach the egg.
Sources:
* Bagdasarian,Dr. (Glamour): https://www.glamour.com/story/laying-still-after-sex-pregnancy
* European Society for Human Reproduction and Embryology research: https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/819285
