How Long Does it Take to Get Pregnant?

One of the more common questions parents to be have is 'how long does it take to become pregnant.' The answer varies. Several factors including your age, fertility, health and wellness and even lifestyle factors can influence your ability to get pregnant.

Roughly 25% of couples actively trying to get pregnant will get pregnant within the first month, while more than 75% of couples will get pregnant within nine months of trying to conceive. Typically unless it takes more than a year to conceive, you fall into the normal age. Some doctors recommend that if you are over the age of 35 you seek the advice of a fertility specialist if you are trying to conceive and have not had luck within the first six months of trying. Typically as a woman ages her chances of conceiving decline slightly each year.

Factors Influencing Fertility

Below you'll find more in depth information about the various factors that may impact your ability to conceive.

• Overall Health - Your overall health will influence your ability to conceive. Generally the healthier you and your partner are, the more likely you are to conceive. Living a life that is as stress free as possible can also improve your chances of conceiving.
• Age - Generally it is easier for couples under the age of 35 to get pregnant than couples over the age of 35. That said, many couples happily attempt their first baby nowadays as late as their early 40s.
• Intercourse Timing - You are more likely to conceive when you have intercourse around and during ovulation, when your body is prepared to conceive and your chances of getting pregnant are increased.
• Lifestyle Factors - Certain habits including smoking and drinking can decrease your chances of conceiving. This is also true of your partner. Excessive alcohol use for example may reduce the quality of sperm available for conception.

Suggestions For Boosting Fertility

Fortunately if you want to get pregnant as quickly as possible there are many steps you can take to facilitate the process. First you should start taking a prenatal vitamin the moment you decide to try for baby. This will help boost your body's levels of folic acid and other vital nutrients essential for growing a healthy baby.

You should also stop engaging in any unhealthy habits, including smoking and drinking, that may decrease your chances of conceiving. Even consuming too much caffeine may decrease the likelihood that you will conceive.

Yet another step you can take is to engage in regular exercise. Routine exercise not only helps with stress reduction, but will also help maintain your weight. Studies suggest that women who are overweight may have more difficulty conceiving than those who are normal weight.

Last but certainly not least, it is important you keep in mind that your chances of getting pregnant improve if you time intercourse correctly. It is important if you haven't already that you start tracking your ovulation. This will help you gauge when you are most likely to be fertile and when your best chances are of conceiving. You can track your ovulation by taking your basal temperature before you get out of bed every morning. Many stores and online retailers also offer ovulation predictors kits that help you pinpoint ovulation more accurately. The closer to ovulation you time intercourse, the more likely you are to get pregnant.

Remember that most couples, more than 80% will conceive within the first year of trying. Above all else it is important you relax, take your time and enjoy yourself. This alone may improve your chances of conceiving considerably.