Lying still after artificial insemination treatment increases success rate

October 30, 2009 by Shawn Douglas
Filed under: News, Pregnancy

Lying still in the supine position after undergoing artificial insemination increases the chance of conception by as much as 50 percent according to a recent study.

There have been various methods tried throughout the centuries to increase the chances of conception after sex. One method women have tried is elevating their hips for 10 or 20 minutes to ensure that every last sperm has its chance to do its magic. While there has been little scientific evidence in the past to suggest that it works, a recent study with artificial insemination may change some people’s thoughts.

The study, published in the British Medical Journal, tested 390 couples utilizing intrauterine insemination and found that 27% of the women who remained lying down after the procedure eventually had a successful birth. Only 17% of the women who stood up and moved directly afterwards gave birth.

All couples in the study were given three cycles of treatment, but only half of the women were allowed to remain lying down after each treatment.

The study team from the Academic Medical Centre in Amsterdam suggests that all women be allowed to remain in the supine position after the procedure. “We show that women suffering from subfertility have a 50 percent higher chance to conceive after remaining in supine position after intrauterine insemination (IUI),” said lead researcher Dr. Inge Custers.

Dr. Inge said she was aware that it may take some work for clinics to adjust their practices, but the changes would likely be beneficial.

“Although immobilization takes more time and occupies more space in busy rooms, the intervention will be economic in the long run, as pregnant patients will not return in subsequent cycles,” said Dr. Inge.

In an editorial accompanying the study, Professor William Ledger of Sheffield University suggested that more research needs to be done before a definitive conclusion could be reached.

“Their findings agree with the intuitive idea that lying with a ‘feet up’ tilt for a few minutes after insemination, either after intercourse or intrauterine insemination, allows the sperm to ascend into the uterine cavity, before standing up brings the negative influences of gravity into play. Such postcoital positioning was advocated in the United States many years ago but did not seem to improve conception rates after sex.”

Professor Ledger added, “The results suggest that units should carry out their own evaluation of immobilisation versus immediate mobilisation after intrauterine insemination, to test the hypothesis in the ‘real world.’ If successful, more couples could be spared the rigorous and costly process of in vitro fertilisation.”