Woman post IUI treatment with sperm reaching for light.

The Great IUI Debate: To Rest or Not To Rest After Insemination?

Lena Kashyap in Health & Wellness November 2025 • 4 min read.

"Does lying down after IUI treatment increase your chances of getting pregnant? A new study sheds light on this common question."

Infertility affects many couples, with about 1 in 10 experiencing difficulties conceiving. Intrauterine insemination (IUI) is a common treatment for couples facing unexplained or mild male infertility. The process involves placing sperm directly into a woman's uterus to increase the chances of fertilization.

Following IUI, a common recommendation has been for women to remain lying down for a short period, typically 10-15 minutes. The idea behind this practice is that it might help the sperm reach the egg more effectively. However, the scientific evidence supporting this recommendation has been a subject of debate.

A recent study published in Human Reproduction has challenged the notion that resting after IUI improves pregnancy rates. This research adds to the growing body of evidence suggesting that immediate mobilization—getting up and moving around right away—may be just as effective. Let's delve into the details of this study and what it means for women undergoing IUI.

Challenging the Bed Rest Myth: A Closer Look at the Study

Woman post IUI treatment with sperm reaching for light.

The study, a single-center randomized controlled trial (RCT) conducted in the Netherlands, involved 498 couples diagnosed with unexplained or mild male subfertility. Participants were randomly assigned to either 15 minutes of supine immobilization (lying down) or immediate mobilization after IUI. The primary outcome was the ongoing pregnancy rate per couple.

The results of the study revealed no significant difference in ongoing pregnancy rates between the two groups. In the immobilization group, 32.2% of couples achieved an ongoing pregnancy, compared to 40.0% in the immediate mobilization group. This suggests that resting after IUI does not improve pregnancy rates, and may even be slightly less effective than getting up and moving around.

Study Design: Randomized controlled trial.
Participants: 498 couples with unexplained or mild male subfertility.
Intervention: 15 minutes of supine immobilization versus immediate mobilization after IUI.
Primary Outcome: Ongoing pregnancy rate per couple.

The researchers also looked at secondary outcomes, including miscarriage rate, multiple gestation rate, live birth rate, and time to pregnancy. No significant differences were found between the two groups for any of these outcomes. This further supports the conclusion that resting after IUI offers no additional benefit.

The Takeaway: Rethinking the IUI Protocol

This study adds to the growing body of evidence questioning the need for routine bed rest after IUI. While lying down for a short period may seem like a harmless practice, it may not offer any real benefit. For women undergoing IUI, the findings suggest that it's perfectly fine to get up and move around immediately after the procedure. This can save time, reduce anxiety, and make the overall experience more convenient.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1093/humrep/dex302, Alternate LINK

Title: Immobilization Or Mobilization After Iui: An Rct

Subject: Obstetrics and Gynecology

Journal: Human Reproduction

Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)

Authors: J Van Rijswijk, M R Caanen, V Mijatovic, C G Vergouw, P M Van De Ven, C B Lambalk, R Schats

Published: 2017-10-13

Everything You Need To Know

Does remaining stationary following Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) actually improve the likelihood of pregnancy?

Recent research, specifically a study published in *Human Reproduction*, indicates that resting after Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) does not significantly improve pregnancy rates. The study, involving 498 couples, compared 15 minutes of supine immobilization with immediate mobilization and found no significant difference in ongoing pregnancy rates. In fact, the immediate mobilization group had a slightly higher pregnancy rate (40.0%) compared to the immobilization group (32.2%). Therefore, the common practice of resting post-IUI may not be necessary.

Who were the participants in the study, and how does that affect the applicability of the findings on Intrauterine Insemination (IUI)?

The study specifically focused on couples diagnosed with unexplained or mild male subfertility. In cases of unexplained infertility, the cause of infertility cannot be identified through standard testing. Mild male subfertility refers to instances where the male partner has slightly lower sperm count, motility, or morphology. Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) is often recommended for these conditions as it helps to increase the chances of fertilization by placing sperm directly into the woman's uterus. This research suggests that bed rest following the IUI procedure does not increase the likelihood of success within this specific population.

What specific outcomes were measured to determine if resting after Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) has any effect?

The primary outcome measured in the study was the ongoing pregnancy rate per couple. Ongoing pregnancy rate refers to the percentage of couples who achieved a pregnancy that continued beyond a certain gestational point, indicating a viable pregnancy. Secondary outcomes included miscarriage rate, multiple gestation rate, live birth rate, and time to pregnancy. The researchers found no significant differences between the immobilization group and the immediate mobilization group in any of these secondary outcomes, further supporting the conclusion that resting after Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) offers no additional benefit.

How might these new findings change the typical Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) process and what are the potential implications?

The findings suggest that it may be time to rethink the standard Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) protocol, which often includes a period of post-procedure bed rest. By removing the recommendation for bed rest, clinics can potentially save time, reduce patient anxiety, and make the overall experience more convenient. This change in protocol could improve patient satisfaction without negatively impacting pregnancy outcomes. However, individual circumstances may vary, and healthcare providers should consider each patient's unique situation when making recommendations.

What are the limitations of this research, and what additional studies might be beneficial to conduct regarding Intrauterine Insemination (IUI)?

The study's design as a single-center randomized controlled trial (RCT) in the Netherlands adds strength to its conclusions. However, it is important to consider that the findings may not be generalizable to all populations or clinical settings. Further research involving diverse populations and settings could help to confirm these findings and provide a more comprehensive understanding of the effects of post-IUI rest on pregnancy outcomes. Additionally, future studies could explore other factors, such as stress levels and lifestyle choices, that may influence the success of Intrauterine Insemination (IUI).