Anate Aelion Brauer, MD, reproductive endocrinologist, Greenwich Fertility, and assistant professor, NYU School of Medicine.
Pillow Under Hips to Conceive: Does It Work?
At FirstCry Parenting, our aim is to give you the most elevant, accurate and up to date information.
Every article that we publish, confirms to stringent guidelines & involves several levels of reviews, both from our Editorial team & Experts. We welcome your suggestions in making this platform more useful for all our users. Write in to us at [email protected]
- Can Keeping a Pillow Under the Hips Help Women Conceive?
- How Long Do You Need to Stay in This Position?
Many women find it hard to get pregnant even after multiple attempts. With so many myths about the ideal methods to conceive available out there, it may be hard to ascertain what to believe. However, if you have been trying to get pregnant, you may try the ‘pillow under your hip’ method during or immediately after intercourse. A few studies have indicated that keeping a pillow under the hips could increase your chances of conceiving. You may give it a try as it wouldn’t cause any harm. Read on to know more.
Can Keeping a Pillow Under the Hips Help Women Conceive?
As mentioned earlier, some studies have indicated that keeping a pillow under the hips and raising your legs against a wall can help women conceive. Here’s some information on how it could work.
1. The Vaginal pH
Your vagina has an acidic environment which is not ideal for the survival of the sperm. Sperm prefer an alkaline environment, and hence need to move away from the acidity of the vagina as soon as they can. The cervical mucus helps prevent damage that may be caused by the vaginal acidity until the sperm reach the egg, and fertilise it in the fallopian tube. Placing a pillow under your hips and raising them immediately after intercourse could speed up this process and prevent the sperm from getting affected by the acidity in the vagina.
2. Sperm Quality
Raising the legs up and placing a pillow under your hips could help increase your chances of getting pregnant if the sperm quality is not up to the mark.
3. Cervical Mucus Is Hostile
Cervical mucus is meant to protect the sperm from the acidity of the vagina. If the mucus in the cervix is hostile or you have less cervical fluid, this position could help the sperm reach the fallopian tube directly, without coming in contact with the vagina.
How Long Do You Need to Stay in This Position?
Since this method could help the sperm reach the fallopian tube faster, it could fertilise the egg in case you are already done ovulating. The sperm could also stay alive for 3 to 5 days in the reproductive tract. If you ovulate around this time, you could have a chance of getting pregnant. Try and stay in this position for as long as you can or at least for 30 minutes.
Your chances of conception are dependent on many factors. There are only a few cases wherein studies have proved that this method works. Therefore, avoid letting its failure affect you. Either way, it is best to consult a gynaecologist to discuss your options for treatment.
References and Resources:
Also Read:
The Truth About Sexual Positions and Getting Pregnant
If you’re trying to have a baby, you’ll probably want to do everything to make it happen as quickly as possible. One thing you and your partner might wonder is, does sexual position matter? Can having sex a certain way help your chances of conception?
What the Science Shows
Here’s the myth-busting truth. No particular sex position has been proven to improve the odds of pregnancy. What may help is to put sperm as close to the cervix — the canal that connects the vagina and the womb — as possible.
One way to do that is to make sure that the penis goes in deep during intercourse. Along with full penetration, two sex styles are ideal for depositing the sperm right at the opening of the cervix:
- Missionary, or penetration from the top
- From behind, aka doggy style
After Intercourse
Can anything you do right after sex make pregnancy more possible? Again, there’s little scientific proof for that. But several commonsense steps may help the sperm on their journey to reach and fertilize an egg.
Lie still. Doing this for a spell can help sperm get where they’re going. About 10-15 minutes should do it. Then, empty your bladder to help flush away any germs hanging out near your urethra that could lead to a urinary tract infection.
Prop your pelvis. Tuck a pillow under your hips after sex so that gravity can move semen toward your uterus. Again, 10 to 15 minutes of this is enough.
Put legs up. Rest with your legs up a wall, which is another way to let gravity assist the sperm.
You might sometimes notice moisture on your underwear or on the toilet paper after sex. It’s likely semen, the liquid part of sperm. Rest assured that healthy sperm are determined little swimmers. By 10 to 15 minutes after sex, they’re already in your uterus and traveling toward the fallopian tubes. So don’t let leakage get you down.
What to Avoid
It’s just fine to get up after sex and go about your normal day. But you might want to avoid a couple of things, or at least hold off a bit.
Douching
Your vagina does a fabulous job of cleaning itself, so no need to douche. Douching might even strip healthy bacteria in the vagina that guard against yeast infections. You don’t want to flush semen out of the vagina at a time when you want as many sperm as possible to reach your egg.
High-impact exercise
No scientific evidence shows that vigorous physical activity lowers your chances of conception after sex. But you may feel more comfortable or be less likely to second-guess yourself if you skip heavy workouts after a roll in the hay.
Certain lubricants
Some store-bought, commercial lubricants might negatively affect sperm quality and their ability to move up the cervix or slow them down. This can make it harder for the sperm to reach the egg to fertilize it. It’s best to avoid store-bought lubricants. Additionally, don’t use saliva, coconut oil, or olive oil for lubrication.
But some fertility treatments and medications can make your vagina drier. If you’re looking to use a lubricant when you’re trying to conceive, look for “hydroxyethylcellulose-based lubricants.” It’s similar in texture to the mucus your vagina naturally produces. Also, it doesn’t slow down the sperm. You can also use mineral oil or canola oil if necessary. Check with your doctor before you give it a try.
Are There Sex Positions for Not Getting Pregnant?
There are lots of myths or misconceptions about whether certain sex positions are more or less likely to help you get pregnant. But research shows that you can get pregnant by having sex in almost any position. This includes positions thought to be “gravity-defying” like a cowgirl position, reverse cowgirl, standing, or sitting on the lap. That’s because once the sperm enters your vagina, it travels to the fallopian tubes in a matter of minutes to fertilize the egg.
Basically, more than the position you have sex in, timing your intercourse during a fertile window is most effective when you’re trying to get pregnant.
Show Sources
Fertility and Sterility: “Optimizing Natural Fertility: A Committee Opinion.”
Anate Aelion Brauer, MD, reproductive endocrinologist, Greenwich Fertility, and assistant professor, NYU School of Medicine.
Joshua Hurwitz, MD, reproductive endocrinologist, Reproductive Medicine Associates of Connecticut.
BMJ: “Immobilization Versus Immediate Mobilization After Intrauterine Insemination: Randomized Controlled Trial.”
Mayo Clinic: “Trying to get pregnant? Select a lubricant most helpful for sperm.”
Women & Infants: “How To Get Pregnant Naturally.”
About Us
Family Medicine
In 2024 our team of doctors and nurses provide a comprehensive range of family planning services. Our doctors have expertise in antenatal care, preconception planning, and STD checks. Contraceptive advice including Mirena and Implanon insertion is available.
- Early detection of illness;
- Family planning;
- Promotion of healthy lifestyle;
- Skin cancer checks;
- Sports injuries;
- Weight reduction;
- Workers compensation and third party.
Children's Health
Baby Weighing Service. Babies can be booked with our Nurse for weighing, a doctors appointment is not required to use this service. Contact reception for a appointment to have your baby weighed.
Immunisations. At Tuggeranong Square children's immunisation is regarded an important part of your childs health care. Our doctors take immunising children very seriously. and to ensure all children are immunised Tuggeranong Square Medical Practice doctors BULK BILL for all childhood immunisations. Tuggeranong Square Medical Practice also ensures the Practice Nursing Staff are highly trained in childhood immunisations.
Women's Health
Our practice is dedicated to treating a wide spectrum of women’s health concerns. We offer pre-natal, antenatal and postnatal care, contraceptive options, pap screening, and preventative health care advice. We provide assistance, advice and support through all stages of life, recognising the many issues many women may face from adolescence through to the peri and post-menopausal period.
- Cervical Screening tests;
- Reproductive health. Including Mirena and Implanon insertion;
- Shared antenatal care.
Men's Health
We encourage men to present routinely to their GP to discuss all aspects of their health. We provide comprehensive advice and support for men to address the prevention and management of various health conditions. This may include assessments for cardiovascular risk, diabetes, cancer prevention, mental health assessments, STD screening, sports injuries and the importance of sleep as it relates to other areas of health.
- Preventative Healthcare. Including cardiovascular screening, mental health and cancer checks;
- Prostate examination.
