For the average couple having intercourse and actively trying to conceive, it takes about six months to get pregnant. However, some people get pregnant right away, and plenty of perfectly healthy people don’t conceive until a year or more of unprotected intercourse.
How long should it take to get pregnant?
Many factors can influence how long it takes to get pregnant, including your cycle, general health, fertility conditions, age, and lifestyle.
Getting pregnant faster
Although it takes the average female up to six months to conceive, there are ways to improve fertility health and reduce time to pregnancy. Staying healthy through diet and exercise and taking folic acid supplements can greatly increase your chances of conceiving, relative to those who don’t do these things. Individuals who track their fertility data to pinpoint their ovulation are also able to speed up their time to conception. Even your mood might help with your fertility: some studies have found that happier emotional states correlate with faster conception.
How long is too long?
Although any female without a condition of infertility or sterility can get pregnant naturally before menopause, some may take a bit longer than others. Doctors recommend that couples who have not conceived after one year of trying seek a fertility consultation to determine if an alternative route to conception might be explored, whether it’s in vitro fertilization (IVF), surgery, or fertility medication. It’s recommended that women over 35 should seek a fertility consultation after six months of trying.
If you have any questions about trying to conceive or your fertility health in general, don’t hesitate to reach out to your healthcare provider for more information.
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Sources
- Dr. Walter Willett. “Nurses’ Health Study II.” National Institutes of Health. United States, 1989-. Web.
- “Nutrition During Pregnancy: FAQ001.” ACOG. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, 4/15/2015. Web.
