Elevating Hips To Get Pregnant: Does This Trick Work?

Conceiving a baby is a tricky affair. While some couples get pregnant easily, others have a hard time conceiving naturally. Plus, there are so many myths surrounding the ideal method of conception, that it may get difficult for you to ascertain which one is credible and effective. 

However, recently, a lot of emphasis has been placed on the role of sexual positions in aiding conception. In fact, a few studies have positively recommended elevating hips to get pregnant or placing a pillow under your hips during or immediately after intercourse to increase the chances of conception. But is this process actually effective? Let’s find out. 

Can Keeping a Pillow Under Your Hips Help You Conceive?

As discussed, there are certain studies that indicate that placing a pillow under your hips and raising your legs against a wall can help you conceive. Here’s some information on how this works.

It Can Help Prevent Sperm Damage Caused by Vaginal pH

The normal vaginal pH ranges from 3.8 to 5.0, making it quite acidic in nature. The acidic environment of your vagina is not ideal for the survival of sperm. The sperm cells need an alkaline pH to survive and successfully make their way toward the egg for fertilisation. What helps the sperm prevent the acidic environment is the cervical mucus, which helps prevent damage until the sperm reaches the egg, and fertilises it in the fallopian tube.

Elevating your hips using a pillow during or after intercourse can help speed up this process and prevent the sperm from getting affected by the acidic pH of your vagina.

Helpful for Those With Low Sperm Quality

If your partner has poor sperm quality, be it in terms of motility or vitality, then engaging in sexual intercourse in a missionary position with a pillow under your hips can optimise the chances of pregnancy. This point isn’t 100% proven, but definitely worth a try for couples attempting to conceive a child.

Helpful for Those With Cervical Issues

Some women experience medical conditions where their cervical mucus is hostile or they have less cervical fluid. These conditions can make it difficult for the sperm to travel down to the egg for fertilisation. However, having your hips elevated, makes it easier for the sperm to be ejaculated closer to your cervix, hence bridging the gap and improving the chances of conception.

How to Put Pillow Under Your Hips to Get Pregnant

To boost your chances of conception, follow these steps while positioning a pillow under your hips either during or immediately after sexual intercourse.

• Tuck a soft pillow under your hips so that gravity can help move the sperm toward your uterus.
• You can also raise your legs against a wall while doing this as it helps the sperm reach the uterus faster.

How Long Do You Need to Keep Your Hips Elevated Using a Pillow?

Knowing how to put a pillow under your hips to get pregnant isn’t enough if you don’t have an idea about how long to do it for. Should you stay in this position for an hour? Two hours? Or only a few minutes? We’ve got the answer.

As you know, the primary intent of keeping your hips elevated using a pillow is to align things with gravity so that the sperm moves toward the uterus and successfully fertilises the released egg. So technically, it is not an hour-long game. Keeping your hips propped up for 10-15 minutes should do the trick. But just to be on the safe side, leave the pillows for about 30 minutes.

Other Ways to Boost Your Chances of Pregnancy

There are a few other steps that you can take to boost your chances of positive pregnancy. These include:

• Going for a pre-conception check-up: Schedule a pre-conception with your ob-gyn to determine your overall health, and understand if there are any changes that you need to make in your lifestyle. Be sure to discuss any pre-existing medical conditions that may affect your pregnancy.
• Taking prenatal vitamins: Prenatal vitamins contain essential nutrients like folic acid that help improve ovulation, encourage fertilisation, and support early embryo survival. 
• Consuming a healthy diet: Consume a balanced and nutritious diet, rich in fruits and vegetables that help increase your progesterone levels, promote ovulation, and also encourage early implantation.
• Tracking your ovulation: Knowing your ovulation cycle and your most fertile days can help you get pregnant faster. So keep an eye out for your ovulation symptoms to determine your most fertile days and time sex accordingly.
• Aiming for a healthy weight: A healthy pre-conception weight can help set you up for success, both improving the odds of pregnancy and reducing the risk of certain pregnancy complications. Consult your healthcare provider to determine your body mass index (BMI) and try to maintain a healthy weight by exercising.

Conclusion

While you may try elevating your hips to get pregnant, you must remember that your chances of conception are dependent on many other factors as well. So if you are unable to conceive even after trying the tips discussed above, make sure to consult a fertility expert to understand what you can do to boost your chances of pregnancy. 

Also read: 

PMS vs. pregnancy symptoms: Learn how to differentiate between PMS and pregnancy symptoms in this post.

Female infertility: What are the main causes and symptoms of female infertility? Find out all the details in this post.  

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