Fertilidad

Trying to get pregnant

Revisado: 4 de octubre de 2026

Solo en inglés por ahora

Most couples where the woman is under 40 get pregnant within a year of regular sex without contraception. Here is how timing works, what helps, and when to ask for help.

How long it usually takes

Getting pregnant often takes longer than people expect. More than 8 in 10 couples where the woman is under 40 get pregnant naturally within a year, if they have regular sex without contraception every 2 or 3 days. So it is common for it to take several months. Not getting pregnant in the first few cycles happens to many people.

Timing sex around ovulation

You are most likely to get pregnant around ovulation, when an ovary releases an egg. This usually happens about 10 to 16 days before your next period, so it comes later in a long cycle and earlier in a short one. Sperm can live for up to 7 days, so sex in the days before ovulation counts. Having sex every 2 to 3 days through your cycle means you do not need to pinpoint the exact day.

Habits that help

Take 400 micrograms of folic acid every day from before you try until you are 12 weeks pregnant, and ask about vitamin D too. Getting support to stop smoking and not drinking alcohol both help. A weight that is too low or too high can make it harder to get pregnant, so a doctor or nurse can help you aim for a healthy weight. If you take a prescribed medicine, do not stop it before talking to your doctor.

Your partner's health matters too

Fertility problems can affect men as well as women. Poor-quality semen is one of the common reasons couples find it hard to conceive. A male partner can look after his own reproductive health by drinking less alcohol, stopping smoking or drug use, eating well and reducing stress. Couples where the man is 40 or older are also more likely to have difficulty conceiving.

When to ask for help

See a doctor or nurse if you have been trying for a year or more. Go sooner if you are older: US guidance (CDC) advises seeing a doctor after 6 months of trying from age 35, and UK guidance (NHS) says women aged 36 and over should go sooner. Also go early if your periods are irregular or have stopped, you have endometriosis, or you already know of a possible fertility problem.

This is general information. If you have a health condition or take regular medicines, talk to a doctor or nurse before you start trying.