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How Long Does It Take to Get Pregnant?

Team AckoFeb 8, 2024

Deciding to have kids can be a very exciting time in your life! However, it can also turn into something stressful, especially if you commence the process and it doesn’t happen right away.

Contents

Age
Birth control
Weight and lifestyle
How can you increase your chances of conceiving sooner?
When should you seek help?

How long does it actually take to get pregnant once you start trying? Many women end up conceiving within just six months of trying through sexual intercourse, but it can take longer or get more complicated with increase in age.

The answer to “How long will it take?” lies in a number of different factors.

There are some general timelines that can guide you in this. Let’s take a closer look at some of the variables.

Age

According to medical statistics, Women who are 25 to 35 years old and have regular unprotected sex have about a 20 percent chance of getting pregnant each cycle. After 35 years of age, the chances of getting pregnant start to decline steadily.

For example, at 40, a woman has only about an 8 percent chance of getting pregnant each month. At 42, it drops to 2 to 4 percent. Women of 45 years of age and older have higher chances of requiring assistance to conceive.

A man’s fertility also declines with age. An older man’s sperm is also more likely to have genetic abnormalities.

Birth control

If you have been on the pill, you may worry that coming off the pill can delay your return to fertility. However, research has shown that any delay is temporary and limited to the first few months of trying. Women who stop taking the pill are almost as likely to get pregnant within a year as women who used IUDs, condoms or natural family planning.

It is possible to get pregnant right after you stop taking the pill, even if your cycle isn’t regular—it may take a few months for your period to sync up to a routine again. Having your period regularly again after the use of birth control is a good, natural sign that your body is ready to conceive. In extreme cases a normal period can take up to 18 months. However, most women resume normal menstruation fairly soon.

Weight and lifestyle

Being both over and underweight can negatively affect a woman's ovulation. Irregular ovulation would lead to a delay in conception. Additionally, smoking and drinking can affect your chances. Heavy smoking is linked to infertility issues and can also induce early menopause, and damage your cervix and fallopian tubes.

Heavy drinking can create an increased risk of ovulation disorders which affect the release of eggs from the ovaries. Thus, women who drink heavily can increase the time that it takes them to conceive.

How can you increase your chances of conceiving sooner?

Here are some things you can do to improve chances of getting pregnant faster.

1. Eat a healthy, balanced diet

2. Maintain a healthy weight

3. Get regular exercise

4. Reduce caffeine to under 200 mg a day

5. Avoid alcohol and smoking

When should you seek help?

If you are not pregnant even after trying for some time, is it time to seek help? Statistics show that one in six to one in seven couples will have difficulty conceiving. But before you get too anxious, wait a year. One year is a good benchmark for most couples trying to conceive through sex.

If you’re under 35 and haven’t conceived within 12 months, consult your doctor. For those older than 35, you may consider seeing a specialist sooner than a year since women tend to have fewer viable eggs the older they get.

Also, if you have an underlying gynaecological issue such as endometriosis or polycystic ovarian syndrome, or irregular periods, you need to seek expert advice after six months of trying or even sooner.

Explore More Articles on Conception

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GIFT and ZIFT Treatments for Infertility

IVF: How Does it Work?

Ovulation and Your Fertility Window

Everything You Need to Know about IVF

Does Melatonin have a Good Effect on Fertility?

How Do You Get Pregnant?

Role Of Genetics In Infertility: What Do We Know So Far

Dos and Don'ts When Trying to Get Pregnant

8 Baby-Making Mistakes You should be Avoiding

All you need to know about Testicular Biopsy

What to Avoid When You're Trying to Conceive

9 Foods You Must Avoid When You Are Trying To Conceive

Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only, based on industry experience and secondary sources. It is not a substitute for professional advice. Please consult a qualified expert for health or insurance-related decisions. Content is subject to change, refer to current policy wordings for specific ACKO details.

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