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Conception

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Original poster

Legs up after sex... myth??

31 replies

surreygirl1987 · 10/09/2017 21:44

Hi all. I'm 30, just married, I've just started ttc and am on cycle 2! Been reading up all I can - mumsnet is so helpful. However, so many wonen mention putting their legs up aftet sex, or using a pillow. Is this helpful or not? I would prefer not to take the sexiness out of sex... I can only imagine my dh's face if I did that!! However, if it does help I'm keen to try anything that will give an advantage! I currently go for a wee a few mins after sex (had a horrible uti once... keen never to repeat that!) but am I risking our chances? Struggling to find proper research on this... thanks in advance.

OP posts:
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Piewraith · 11/09/2017 04:51

I read an article that said it's a myth because the best, healthiest sperm basically make it up there straight away and any stragglers who might be hanging around a few minutes later aren't going to make it no matter what.

But if you wanted to lie down for a few minutes afterwards just in case its not going to cause harm, so why not.

newbian · 11/09/2017 04:30

I did it when TTC the first time. Second time was more "OK if it happens but no rush" so I didn't put legs up or stay in bed, in fact I ran off to to the toilet almost right away, and got pregnant first cycle. So...I suspect it's not necessary!

flumpybear · 11/09/2017 03:42

Just checking everyone realises wee comes from a slightly different place ... don't want any 'contraception mishaps' 😉

NYConcreteJungle · 10/09/2017 23:11

I didn't go to the toilet after either. A good point about the orgasm. Each time we DTD more than once, so my orgasm from the second time DTD would have taken the sperm from the first time DTD up.

GreggsSausageRolls · 10/09/2017 23:06

I believe it worked for me with two dc, also falling asleep once also helped, I didn't move for a few hours and still had pillow under bum. Legs weren't in the air though Grin

Worth a try OP!

AnchorDownDeepBreath · 10/09/2017 23:02

Seconding don't go to pee - that's my back up contraception Grin

Original poster
surreygirl1987 · 10/09/2017 22:51

Wow! Clear consensus there!! Guess I'll definitely be trying that this cycle then! Yes I've just bought preseed too and opks so guess I'm all set up! Dh is goig to wet himself laughing at me. Thanks so much for all the replies :)

OP posts:
SnowiestMountain · 10/09/2017 22:45

Yes don't wee!! Leave 'it' on there overnight if you can lovely

NotTheCoolMum · 10/09/2017 22:42

Ttc for over a year. I also wee immediately after sex to avoid uti. Was waiting to go to the loo for 10 mins or so during ttc. Once I fell asleep straight after dtd and didn't go for a wee. Got pregnant finally. I know it was that time because we were starting to lose hope and only dtd once that entire cycle.

I'm pretty sure there were other factors esp my stress levels, but common sense suggests falling asleep would have helped Grin

SnowiestMountain · 10/09/2017 22:37

I did it, worked both times, don't know if it actually did make any difference but it made me feel better!

Sierra259 · 10/09/2017 22:36

I did it for both of mine most times after DTD while ttc. However although DC1 only took 6 weeks to happen, DC2 took 8 months, so not sure how effective it is! I think the main thing is to stay lying down for a bit after sex, but as pp's have said where's the harm in trying it?

user1471495191 · 10/09/2017 22:36

2 pregnancies, conceived both on cycle number 5, each time it was the first month of using conceive plus gel (similar to preseed) - sitting with legs up didn't work on its own for us, but as others have said, can't hurt!

SlightlyJaded · 10/09/2017 22:34

Same

Only tried it twice, conceived both times. I lay with my feet up against the wall above the headboard for about 20 mins each time. DH made tea. Win win

BuzzKillington · 10/09/2017 22:31

I think it is more important that you orgasm after your partner ejaculates, as your cervix dips in and out of your vagina which helps bring more sperm upwards.

EssentialHummus · 10/09/2017 22:29

Worked here, cycle 1. DH found it hilarious Confused

ThatGirl82 · 10/09/2017 22:26

It worked for me, and a friend.

mummabubs · 10/09/2017 22:25

I'm 29, did this and got pregnant on the first month of trying but to be honest I couldn't say that was due to putting legs up/cushion under bum. This might be TMI but the main reason I did is that I knew most of the essential baby-making liquid wouldn't have stayed put otherwise. I just lay there for 10 mins or so after each time and we laughed about how much of a numpty I looked!

Flumplet · 10/09/2017 22:23

I didn't do this and just got upduffed with #2. When I caught with ds I layed with my hips on a pillow.

I do recall reading a myth buster article with a gynae who said it can actually cause the sperm to fall behind the cervix.

I don't think there's a lot in it to be fair. I can recommend pre-seed lube tho that seems to have helped conception for us. Good luck!

flumpybear · 10/09/2017 22:19

I did this, mainly due to gravity post sex taking the vast majority of the swimmers south! I figured half hour or so for them to hop on the CM ladder was not too much of an ask of me ConfusedWink

FennyBridges · 10/09/2017 22:12

Worked for me... immediately!

Aph413 · 10/09/2017 22:10

I have found one advantage to laying with my legs up is that my husband brings me stuff and is at my back and call for half an hour because he also desperately wants me to conceive. Only on cycle one so can't report on it actually working yet.

relightourfire · 10/09/2017 22:09

I remember it well ..... it wasn't sexy .....

Spam88 · 10/09/2017 22:04

The time we conceived I laid with my legs up and read a few chapters on my kindle afterwards Grin who knows if it actually made a difference though, but it won't do any harm.

Whereland · 10/09/2017 22:02

I did it for two years and it didn't work so I wouldn't be too worried about it!

SmartyPants0 · 10/09/2017 22:00

It worked for me... conceived first time with all 3 of my pregnancys ☺