How Long Does it Take to Become Pregnant?

Starting a family is a life-changing experience. No matter your age, personality, background, or financial status, becoming pregnant for the first time will alter the way you think and behave. Still, the fact remains that many couples still don’t know much about the actual nature of pregnancy. With that in mind, today we’re going to lay out some common facts about pregnancy and answer the burning question: how long does it take to become pregnant?

How Long Does it Take to Conceive?

Conception can occur almost instantly after intercourse. In some instances, conception happens mere moments after intercourse has concluded. On the other hand, some women may not become pregnant until several days after intercourse. Predicting when exactly someone will become pregnant is still exceedingly difficult –– if not impossible.

How Long Does it Take to Become Pregnant?

While it’s possible for a couple to conceive after a single day of sexual intercourse, it generally takes a little longer for the “average” woman to become pregnant. Typically, couples who have sex regularly (two-to-three times per week) are able to conceive and become pregnant within a year. Still, around one in ten couples will experience some difficulty with fertility.

Factors that Influence Fertility

No two people and no two couples are exactly alike. As such, there are a myriad of factors that may influence fertility. One of the biggest ones is age. Women over the age of 35 are less likely to conceive than women in their 20s, for instance. Note, this applies to women who have already had children before too. Additionally, other health and medical factors may affect a couple’s ability to conceive. Some of these conditions include:

• Obesity/poor diet and exercise routine.
• Hormonal disorders.
• Excessive exercise.
• Low sperm count.

What’s more, women who have had procedures on their fallopian tubes –– or who have damaged fallopian tubes –– may not be able to become pregnant. In such a scenario, a procedure like a reverse tubal ligation, may be able to restore tubal functionality and allow for conception again.

Getting Ready

Ideally, couples who want to have kids should take certain steps to prepare their bodies –– and their minds –– for the coming challenges. This includes, but is not limited to:

• Improving diet and exercise routine
• Gaining or losing weight as necessary.
• Changing lifestyle habits –– i.e. cut out smoking, alcohol, drugs etc.
• Studying articles to sharpen parenting skills.

At the end of the day, couples can enhance their odds of conception by making lifestyle alterations and by engaging in intercourse during known periods of ovulation. Speaking to a medical professional may also prove helpful as well.