Ideal Sleeping Positions After IUI For Improving Chances of Conception

BySharath P Devdas
Sleeping positions to avoid after IUI

Intrauterine insemination (IUI) is a complicated procedure and it requires proper care both before and after the surgery. Although there are various treatment options available to treat infertility including medications, in vitro fertilization, and other assisted reproductive technologies. IUI is typically recommended for people with cervical mucus issues, infertility issues, or ejaculatory problems. 

The procedure includes the collection of sperm and carefully placing them in the uterus after washing them properly. It is crucial to carry out the surgery during the ovulation period. Therefore, doctors evaluate the accurate time of ovulation with the help of ovulation examining kits or other advanced tests like a progesterone blood test. Since the success rate is not that high for IUI, it is important to consider post-surgery care. So where can you begin? 

The significance of incorporating a well-balanced diet is known to everyone. It is not only important after IUI treatment but also throughout your entire life. Therefore, we are not focusing on that anymore. But, have you ever heard of the significance of sleeping after IUI? And the position of sleeping that you should opt for after IUI? If not, then we are going to discuss that in this article. So, read on. 

Importance of Sleeping After IUI

Several studies have shown that women who take at least 20 minutes of rest immediately after IUI are more likely to conceive after IUI. Although every IUI procedure doesn’t need to end up successful just because of this 20-minute-long rest. It is feasible to assume that it increases your chances of conceiving. 

Coming to sleep, plays a major role in ensuring the overall health of an individual, especially after they undergo major surgeries. In the coming section, we are going to discuss why proper sleep is important after IUI.

  1. Emotional Well-Being: Lack of sleep can often lead to anxiety and mood swings. Which will adversely affect the embryo in your womb. So, when you take a good amount of sleep every day after the procedure, not only will you own a positive mindset, but it will also reflect on the health of the embryo. In some cases, it also increases the chances of implantation. 
  1. Stress Reduction: IUI can be both mentally and physically draining. When you get the proper amount of sleep, it alleviates stress to an extent, making your feet comparatively better than before. 
  1. Hormonal Balance: The role of progesterone in maintaining pregnancy is well known. A regular and good amount of sleep is also one of the factors that are responsible to produce hormones including reproduction hormones such as progesterone and estrogen. If you fail to get proper sleep, it will adversely affect the levels of progesterone present in your body, thereby decreasing the chances of conception after IUI. 
  1. Cellular Repair: You will never understand what all processes are being completed when you are asleep. During sleep, your body attains the point of maximum relaxation. It effortlessly carries out a function such as cellular repair, increasing the chances of implantation. 
  1. Immunity: Immune function support is vital for the smooth functioning of your body. So you are supposed to do things that will increase your immunity. If not anything else, at least make sure that you get the proper amount of sleep every day. Especially after IUI, to provide optimal health to the embryo. 

Now that you have understood how important is sleep after IUI. It is equally important for you to know which sleeping position is best after IUI. 

Best Sleeping Positions After IUI Treatment 

While some women worry that the inserted sperm will fall out if they move, others try to understand the concept of resting after IUI in a better way. We picked these sleeping positions not because your normal sleeping position will expel sperm. But because they will help your pelvis open. Anyway, read on: 

1. Sleeping on Your Side 

Women who undergo infertility treatments like IUI should sleep on their sides, especially on their left side. This position enhances blood flow to different parts of your body and it also supports digestion and relieves back pain. Several studies have found that sleeping on your left side is good for people with gastroesophageal reflux. To get into this position, follow the steps one after the other: 

  1. Lie on the bed 
  2. Take an additional pillow and place them between your legs 
  3. Bend your knees a little bit 

This is one of the most comfortable sleeping positions discovered so far and you are most likely to love this if you give it a try. 

2. Elevating Your Hips 

While this particular sleeping position may not be ideal for everyone, it is recommended for women after IUI. This is because, when you elevate your hips, sperms are more likely to travel smoothly to the egg, making the process of implantation easier. Following are the steps to get into this sleeping position. 

  1. Lie down on your bed 
  2. Place a normal pillow under your hips

Even if you are not comfortable with the exposition, try to maintain it for at least the next 15-20 minutes. 

While these are the ideal sleeping positions after IUI, there are a few other sleeping positions that you should strictly avoid after IUI. 

Sleeping Position To Avoid After IUI 

Lying on your belly is the least advised after the IUI procedure, because it will assert pressure on your uterus causing difficulty in implantation. In some cases, it may lead to failed conception. Therefore, switch to sleep sleeping to improve the quality of life.  

However, making sure that you do not compromise your comfort while sleeping might reduce the quality of sleep. So, have a conversation with your doctor regarding the best sleeping position IUI. Try to follow that at least until the implantation occurs. However, you should never sleep on your stomach when you are expecting a baby. 

Read More:- No Pregnancy Symptoms After IUI

Conclusion 

While everyone knows how important sleep is, you might not know the importance of specific sleeping positions after IUI. The recommendation is to sleep on your left side after IUI, but you should also avoid sleeping on your stomach. Because the former supports conception and the latter adversely affects the process. However, these sleeping positions alone would never give you the desired results. Instead, you will have to incorporate several healthy life habits. Such as a well-balanced diet, meditation or yoga, and other pregnancy-supporting medications. This way, you can expect the treatment to work the best for you. 

If you know anyone going through this challenging phase of life, make sure to share this article with them. So that we may be able to help them in the best possible way. Also, write to us if you are interested in learning more about infertility and its treatment. 

Dr. Sharath P Devdas is a highly skilled fertility specialist and gynecologist with a passion for providing the best care to his patients. He completed his MBBS from Universal College of Medical Science (Tribhuvan University) and pursued further specialization with a Fellowship in Reproductive Medicine (FRM). With over a decade of experience in the medical field, Dr. Sharath has earned a reputation as one of the country's finest practitioners in his field. He currently serves as the director and chief consultant at Fertility First IVF Centre, where his compassionate approach and vast knowledge create a sanctuary for his patients.

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