Sleeping Position After IVF

Do you think sleeping position while going through the IVF procedure may affect your success rates?

Numerous safety precautions are required throughout the In-Vitro Fertilisation process after embryo transfer has been completed successfully. Women must follow several measures, from adjusting their eating habits to sleeping positions and slightly moving to a new way of living. 

National Institutes of Health’s research on Dominant Maternal Sleep Position says that women who slept spine (lying flat on their back) during implantation and conception significantly had more fundal placental location when compared to the women who slept in prone positions (lying flat on your stomach). If you opt for the IVF procedure, you must know the sleeping positions and other minor details, which might significantly affect the IVF success rate. 

Females going through these modifications or undergoing the IVF procedure can get support from fertility experts at Aastha Fertility Care. Our experts thoroughly understand the patient’s history and body demands and advise about every minor aspect that can help you with increased pregnancy chances, including the IVF diet chart, food to increase sperm count, sleeping position after IUI, and other details. 

Schedule your free online consultation appointment with fertility experts to learn more. 

Recommended Sleeping Positions After IVF

Once the IVF process is done, a specific position is not advised for sleeping. The most widespread misconception is that once an embryo is transferred, you must get sufficient sleep and rest in bed. However, it is a falsehood. The adverse effects of excessive bed rest include raising female stress levels, which might affect the procedure’s success rate. 

Once the embryo is transferred in an IVF procedure, no sleeping posture is suggested. However, some factors must be considered- 

• Avoid sleeping on your stomach, as it causes pressure on the abdomen, leading to discomfort. 
• Sleeping on the left side improves blood flow to the fetus and uterus. 
• Placing a pillow under your belly, between your knees, or behind your back is advised to ensure comfort. 
• Do not sleep in the seated position, as it restricts the blood flow. 

• According to WebMD, the room’s temperature should be maintained between 60 to 71° F (15 to 22 degrees Celsius), based on comfort, to promote restful sleep. 
• Females who could uninterruptedly sleep for about seven to eight hours each night have shown better success rates.

Therefore, you must be aware that it is incorrect to believe that gravity might cause embryos to decrease their chances of being implanted or falling out. Therefore, choosing a rapid balance between work and sleep is usually advised.

Sleeping on Your Back

No suggestion or evidence is available that one sleeping posture type is superior to another for embryo implantation. Once the woman’s womb is prepared, when the lining is thick, soft, and appropriate for an embryo to implant, it is transferred. Therefore, you must only choose a comfortable position to lie in.

Sleeping on the back is acceptable throughout the first trimester. However, this sleeping position will be uncomfortable when you are in the third or second trimester. The uterus, vena cava, and intestine, in addition to the foetus, must all be supported by the back. Low blood pressure, backaches, circulation problems, and haemorrhoids are just a few health problems that might result from this.

Therefore, you may place a wedge-shaped pillow to prevent you from sleeping or resting on your back all night.

Sleeping on Your Side

Sleeping on your side is among the most comfortable and relaxing positions after IVF, regardless of the trimester. Each sleeping position can be used to get comfortable throughout the pregnancy’s first three months. You must practise sleeping on your side after IVF and make that a priority.

You can also place a cushion between your legs’ gap to relieve pain in your lower body. Your pregnancy’s second trimester is when females should wear a pregnancy’s C or U cushion. You can also try sleeping on a firm mattress.

Besides, you could use the pregnancy cushion once you have finished the second trimester. But, when women approach the third trimester, a few discover that the pregnancy pillow is not as comfortable as they were. Once it is experienced, using a wedge-shaped cushion might be a solution. You can place it on your back and under your abdomen.

Avoiding Sleeping on Your Stomach

The uterine walls and amniotic fluid safeguard the unborn child. Therefore, sleeping on the stomach at this time is acceptable, although it won’t be comfortable.

You must consult your fertility specialist if you want to know how to sleep securely on the stomach while pregnant after an IVF procedure. They may advise you on the best solution.

Elevating Your Back and Neck

You may elevate your back and neck while sleeping once you experience heartburn. Raise your bed or mattress’ head end since a slightly upright sleeping position could relieve a few of such issues.

Reasons For Recommended Sleeping Positions

The recommended positions or the sleeping position where you are most comfortable since it reduces ovarian pressure and the likelihood of OHSS development. Besides, better sleeping positions improve blood circulation to the uterus and overall sleep quality and comfort.

Tips for A Comfortable Sleep after IVF

Getting used to sleeping on your side could be difficult when you prefer sleeping on your back or stomach. Identifying a pleasant sleeping position while pregnant could be challenging, even when you typically lay on your side. The probability of getting comfortable sleep after IVF could be increased using the following tips and techniques to reduce discomfort.

• Placing a pillow between your knees, against the bottom of your back, or under your abdomen may help you feel more comfortable and relieve pain. Alternatively, you might consider a full-body pillow since some are made for aiding pregnant women while they sleep.
• Both or one knee should be bent as you sleep on your side to help your back. The discomfort due to side sleeping may relieve pressure points when you use egg crate mattress toppers or a comfortable mattress. Adjusting the lighting and temperature of your room can help you sleep comfortably.
• Besides, you must avoid alcohol, smoking, drugs, and other toxins to avoid sleeping issues and maintain your health. You must minimise screen usage before sleeping since it may disturb your sleep.

However, when you have problems sleeping well or have other signs of sleep disturbances, it is vital to speak with your fertility specialist because several illnesses have been associated with an increased risk of issues after an IVF procedure. A healthcare professional can offer advice and remedies for pregnancy-associated sleep problems such as heartburn, restless legs syndrome, or obstructive sleep apnea.

Conclusion

Sleeping is a necessary activity, and if possible, women, after having an IVF procedure, should try to get a minimum of seven hours of sleep every night. A woman’s likelihood of successfully recovering her health after conception through IVF is higher if she consistently gets seven or eight uninterrupted sleep hours each night.

Putting a pillow between your knees could improve your sleep quality when you sleep on your back. Your stomach muscles won’t have to work as hard, and you may get a comfortable sleep. The professionals at Aastha Fertility Clinic provide detailed explanations. 

Our fertility experts advise that during the first trimester, any sleeping position can work; while in the second, it is advised to use a pillow or cushion and a firm mattress. Besides, in the third trimester, the wedge pillow is suggested. You may reach them and consult about the best sleeping positions after IVF.

Frequently Asked Questions