How Long Does It Take To Get Pregnant?
Unfortunately, there is no foolproof method for predicting how long it will take a couple to conceive through natural means (i.e. sex). Some women are lucky enough to fall pregnant in the very first month of trying, while others have to wait a little longer. If you and your partner are trying to have a baby, you shouldn't get disheartened if you don't succeed right away. There are many factors which can affect your chances of getting pregnant and therefore many things you can do to improve them.
So How Do I Measure Up?
Medical experts say the mid-20s are generally the most fertile age for both men and women. A young woman in this age group with excellent reproductive health has somewhere between a 20 and 25% chance of conceiving during each month of unprotected sex. On average, a couple in this age group will have to have regular sex throughout five of the woman's menstrual cycles before they get pregnant. The time it takes to get pregnant generally increases with age. For example, a woman aged between 30 and 35 has around a 15% chance of getting pregnant per cycle. It's not uncommon for couple in their 30s to try for nine cycles or more before they conceive.
Breaking Down The Figures
Research says on average, 20% of couples don't get pregnant in their first year of trying. However, 95% of couples will get pregnant within two years. If you have been trying for a few months already, you may be feeling somewhat despondent. Don't. These figures indicate that only 5% of couples will fail to conceive within two years and the chances of you being in that group are very small. If you are thinking that two years seems like a long time to wait, the chances are that it won't be anything like that long. In fact, around a quarter of all couples having unprotected sex will get pregnant in the first month. Within 6 months, 60% of these couples will be pregnant. After 9 months, this figure increases to three quarters of all couples. Finally, within 18 months, 90% of couples will be expecting a baby.
How Can We Speed The Process Up?
Keeping a record of your menstrual cycle and having unprotected sex around the time you are ovulating will increase the chances of conception. Many couples recommend maintaining a healthy and regular sex life; around three times a week is enough, but it's ok to do it more or less often, provided you are tracking your ovulation. In any case, the more you have sex, the more likely you are to get pregnant. Diet, weight, smoking, and alcohol and caffeine consumption are all factors that could be affecting your fertility. You should follow a healthy, balanced diet and try to shed a few pounds if you or your partner is overweight. If you are a smoker, you must quit, now. Women who are trying to get pregnant should avoid alcohol and caffeine. This becomes even more important when you actually become pregnant. Alcohol, cigarettes and caffeine may also impact male fertility, so it's worth encouraging your partner to cut down or give up too.
It's Just Not Working
If you have been trying for a year without success, you should see a fertility doctor. This does not mean, however, that there is a serious underlying problem. Couples are generally only considered infertile after two years of failing to conceive. As we said before, 95% of couples will manage to get pregnant within two years. If you are diagnosed with a fertility problem, don't give up hope. There are a range of medical and natural treatments out there to help you have a baby.
