Lying down after sex and pregnancy: The truth about whether it really helps revealed

When you’re trying to have a baby, sometimes you will try anything to get pregnant! You’ve been mapping it all out, having sex on the most fertile days, so any small tip couldn’t hurt to try, right? While some can be great bits of info that are backed by science, some are nothing more than urban legends. Allow us to help you dispel at least one!

Does laying down after sex work help your chance of getting pregnant?

It may seem like a logical move to lay down after the act. After all, a little help from gravity could help the magic happen. The reality of science, however, may surprise you! Truth is, most of the sperm has gotten where it needs to go through ejaculation alone.

It’s a journey of roughly 18 cm that the sperm cells must travel, and they can get there in under 2 minutes. Oftentimes, they still need to wait for a viable egg to be released from the ovary, thus making conception happen sometimes days later.

They’ve even done studies to see if the method could work in aiding pregnancy. Across the research, there was no statistically significant difference in conception between people that did and did not lay down after sex. So, with this in mind, we can say that the technique is a bit of a myth.

The verdict

Most experts would agree that laying down after sex doesn’t necessarily do anything to increase your chances of getting pregnant. However, it doesn’t hurt to have a lay if you’re feeling tired after, as we are sure you are! Whether you get up immediately or lay for a bit, it doesn’t make much of a difference. The hard part has already been done!

Sources used:

Glamour: 'Why This Common Post-Sex Move Won't Help You Get Pregnant'

Ovia Health: 'Should I lie on my back after babymaking sex?'

fcionline: 'Should I lay down after sex or fertility treatment? Experts explain.'