How long does it usually take to get pregnant?
In general, a fertile couple has a good chance of getting pregnant within a year, as out of 100 couples trying to conceive naturally:
- 20 will conceive within one month
- 70 will conceive within six months
- 85 will conceive within one year
- 90 will conceive within 18 months
- 95 will conceive within two years
(NHS 2012, Prodigy 2007)
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Bear in mind that these statistics are only averages. Some couples have a high monthly fertility. This means that they have a higher than average chance of getting pregnant within any given month. They're likely to fall pregnant quickly, probably within a few months.
Other couples have a low monthly fertility. This means that they have a lower than average chance of getting pregnant within any given month. They are likely to take longer to get pregnant.
Taking up to two years to get pregnant is normal for some couples. It may feel far from normal if it's happening to you. But it doesn't necessarily mean you have a fertility problem (NCCWCH 2013, Velde et al 2000). About half of the couples who don't get pregnant within a year will conceive the following year, if they keep trying (NCCWCH 2013, Velde et al 2000).
What could make it take longer to get pregnant?
There are lots of factors that can affect your chances of getting pregnant, such as:
- Whether you have any reproductive problems, such as a history of pelvic inflammatory disease.
- Your age, your diet, your lifestyle and your job.
- Your partner's age, his diet, his lifestyle and his job.
- Whether you're underweight or overweight.
- Whether you have any chronic illnesses.
- How regularly you have sex.
(NCCWCH 2013)
If you're under 35, and you've been trying for a baby for a year, then see your GP (NCCWCH 2013). She may suggest some initial investigations to find out whether you can improve your chances. If you're 35 or over, then seek help sooner.
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The same applies if you or your partner has an existing problem, such as a history of
polycystic ovaries or an
undescended testicle, which may affect your chances of conceiving. Whatever your circumstances, it's advisable to see your GP for a pre-pregnancy check-up.
What could improve my chances of getting pregnant?
Make sure that you and your partner are in tip-top baby-making condition. But having regular, unprotected sex is the key. Once a week may not be often enough, while every day is too frequent, as daily sex can reduce the quality of sperm. Instead, aim to make love every two or three days (NCCWCH 2013).
You may have heard that it helps to pinpoint exactly when you're ovulating and to have sex then. There is some truth to this theory. There are some days of your menstrual cycle when you're more fertile, which means you're more likely to get pregnant (Kim et al 2010, Scarpa et al 2006).
But fertility experts advise against using complicated techniques to detect ovulation and then timing your sex life to specific days each cycle. It can make trying for a baby more stressful than it needs to be (NCCWCH 2013). And your chances of conceiving naturally won't be any higher than if you had sex every two or three days (NCCWCH 2013).
Sometimes your work or lifestyle makes regular sex tricky. There are some simpler techniques you could try that won't take over your life.
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For example, you could use
ovulation predictor kits (NCCWCH 2013) or, simpler still, get to know some of the more obvious signs that you're fertile, such as increased cervical mucus
(Bigelow et al 2004, Scarpa et al 2006). You can then try to ensure that you have sex at least once or twice when you're most fertile.
In general, a more relaxed approach is recommended by fertility experts. Having unprotected sex every few days means that there will always be a supply of sperm in the right place whenever you
ovulate (NCCWCH 2013). Simply taking it easy and
enjoying your love life may be the best way to boost your chances.
Try out our
ovulation calendar and talk to others who are hoping to get pregnant in
our community.
