How Long Does It Take to Get Pregnant
Trying to foretell how long it will take to get pregnant when you are actively trying to conceive is like playing a game of chance. There are variables involved that have a direct impact on, if and when, you get can get pregnant. The best chance you have of answering the question, "How long does it take to get pregnant?" is to first consider some statistics, and then to try to line up the favorable conditions to work in your favor.
Step 1: Variables that Determine How Long It Takes to Get PregnantThere are certain factors that enter into the equation when you are trying to get pregnant. If you are trying to conceive quickly, the more of these factors that work in your favor, the higher your chances of success will be.
• Fertility - This is probably the most important factor. How quickly you can get pregnant depends on whether or not there are any fertility issues with either partner. There are fertility drugs available if there is a problem in this regard that can greatly increase your odds in many cases.
• Health - Your state of health is also extremely important. Factors such as stress, vitamin deficiency and weight have varying degrees of impact on your ability to conceive. It is a fact that the healthier you are, the easier it will be to get pregnant quickly.
• Frequency of Intercourse - Obviously the more frequently you have intercourse with your partner, the greater your odds will be at getting pregnant more quickly. If you are both in the earlier part of child rearing years, are both healthy, fertile and have frequent sexual relations, your chances should be quite good.
• Timing Intercourse with Ovulation - Another thing to consider is timing intercourse to coincide with a woman's ovulation. There are methods available to help you discern when the egg drops into the fallopian tube so that you can increase frequency of intercourse during that four to five day time frame. Step 2: Statistics on Couples with a Healthy Sex Life
While there is no way to accurately predict how long it takes to get pregnant, there are some statistics available that indicate the 'norm' in terms of couples with a healthy sex life.
• Within First Month - 25%
• Within Six Months - 60%
• Within Nine Months - 75%
• Within One Year - 80%
• Within Eighteen Months - 90%
These are just rough figures based on national statistics because there are other factors involved as mentioned above. The one rule of thumb that applies in all cases when trying to get pregnant is to try for at least a year. If after 12 to 18 months there is no success, it's time to see a fertility specialist to determine if there are any issues which would prevent your from conceiving a child.
Step 3: Statistics for Conceiving through Artificial InseminationThere are two methods of artificial insemination, one of which carries a higher success rate than the other. These statistics improve with the addition of fertility drugs, but on a national average they both increase when insemination is conducted during successive cycles.
• Intracervical Insemination (ICI) - This is where fresh semen is injected into the cervix and has a success rate of at least 2%, perhaps higher, depending on the cause of infertility and other factors including the age of the mother.
• Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) - Of the two, this method carries a higher success rate because fresh is placed directly into the uterus through a catheter. This method tends to carry a success rate of 5% - 20% based on the same factors as previously mentioned.
Most statistics are based on national averages so if you are trying to conceive and it takes longer than expected, don't be too concerned. There are two ends to the spectrum and if you happen to pass the mid-point it is not grounds for immediate concern.
There really is no way to predict exactly how long it takes to get pregnant. You can increase your odds by creating favorable conditions, but that is the best you can do without medical intervention. In the meantime, just try to relax and enjoy sexual relations with your partner. If, after 12 to 18 months, you have not been successful, seek counsel from a fertility specialist.