There are no strict rules when it comes to pregnancy. Individual circumstances, chance, and personal differences range from a single mistake in birth control leading to a child to couples trying for months before finally conceiving. Several factors impact the journey to conception.
The time spent trying, timing, and the overall lifestyle of the couple play significant roles in pregnancy and conception.
However, some couples may never achieve natural conception despite their best efforts. Thankfully, fertility treatments have helped many couples successfully conceive.
Infertility affects more people than you might think. So, how long does it take to get pregnant? Let’s explore.
Understanding your menstrual cycle is key to fertility and planned pregnancies. By being aware of it, you can predict the optimum time for conception.
During your menstrual cycle, your body produces the follicle-stimulating hormone, which from days 2 to 14 helps grow eggs in your ovaries and thickens the uterus lining. This phase is known as the follicular stage.
The ovulation stage occurs between days 14 and 21. During this period, the Luteinising Hormone surges and triggers the release of the ripest egg.
Timing is crucial when trying to conceive. Women have 1-2 million eggs but usually release just 300-400 through ovulation in their lifetime.
Typically, one egg is released each month and travels along the fallopian tube to the uterus. If timed right, sperm can meet this egg in the fallopian tube and begin fertilization, which can only happen within 24 hours after the egg’s release.
Sperm can survive for 3-5 days. Knowing your ovulation period can help you time intercourse to maximize the chances of the sperm meeting the egg. Having sex 1-2 days before ovulation has the highest likelihood of conception.
The best days for sex, statistically, would be days 12 and 14 of your menstrual cycle, though individual factors can affect this timing. Online fertility calculators can help tailor the timing to your circumstances.
Some official guidelines suggest having regular sex every 2 to 3 days throughout the month to reduce stress.
Many conceive without calculations, while others find success using them. Some couples, however, may still struggle.
If you’ve been trying to conceive for over 12 months (or 6 months if over 35) and are under 35, you might face fertility issues.
Don’t panic! While this news can be upsetting, it’s often manageable, and help is available to move forward with pregnancy.
Infertility is more common than expected, affecting 1 in 7 couples. Causes range from obesity and general well-being to age, endometriosis, and varicocele.
Infertility often has multiple causes, and while there are many signs, it’s usually questioned after prolonged attempts to conceive.
If you’ve tried to conceive for more than a year or have concerns about infertility, consult your GP who can provide help or refer you to a specialist. Early intervention is crucial.
Treatments like IVF, human egg freezing, or oral medications are effective and can assist with infertility.
The time to get pregnant can vary, but it’s often within a year. Age is a major factor in conception, particularly for women.
For women aged 19-26, 92% will conceive after a year of trying, with a 98% success rate by the second year. For those aged 35-39, there is an 82% success rate in the first year and 90% by the second year.
Clearly, age impacts fertility. While it’s still possible to conceive later in life, there are increased risks of infertility and complications.