People struggling to conceive have no doubt heard the advice to be still immediately after intercourse, to put their legs in the air, or to not use the restroom. I have also heard, though, that those are old wives tales and that nothing you do immediately after sex will make a difference in whether or not you will conceive. This rationale makes sense to me for a number of reasons. I tried hours of legs in the air, held it when I really had to “go,” and laying flat on my back for as long as possible with no success. I also know plenty of women who intentionally did some of those things in an effort to prevent pregnancy and they still conceived.
A new study, though, refutes the idea that remaining immobile is pointless and suggests that especially after IUI women conceive more often if they are still and laying down for fifteen minutes after the procedure. Conclusions from the research (details can be found on bmj.com) indicate that women who are immobile for fifteen minutes after IUI are more likely to conceive than those who do not lie flat immediately afterward. I am not a scientist and cannot speak to the accuracy of the study, but I do think that this is yet another fertility suggestion that falls into the category of what will it hurt.
If your doctor allows it, or even s/he doesn’t typically and can be asked, it seems that spending just 15 minutes immobile is not that taxing on anyone involved if it means better success. My physician was not very opinionated either way on bedrest following fertility procedures, but he was supportive of decisions to rest or return to normal activities depending on what the patient preferred. I imagine that your doctor will be similar and if you want to remain laying down after the IUI it should be allowed, and maybe even encouraged. In light of the findings, I also think it is worth a shot if you are trying naturally. It may be an old wives tale, but oftentimes those things are based in truth!
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November 5th, 2009 at 7:12 am
Sometimes the best therapy is just good common sense.
November 20th, 2009 at 2:07 pm
I would agree that spending 15 minutes immobile might be good advice, but what are you doing mentally within that timeframe? I would suggest that women who chose to take that route of quiet immobility to also whisper to themselves or to their reproductive system words like “relax and reproduce it’s o.k.” say this several times to yourself and take strategic advantage of that quiet time. Sending little subliminal messages to your womb and other reproductive organs is an age old technique. You will be amazed at the results! Remember we have power in our words, whether we are motivating ourselves, others or our own reproductive system. Lovingly commanding your reproductive system to do it’s job is no exception to the rule. It will listen!