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How to get pregnant: what actually helps
How to get pregnant, with tips that really help: the best time to have sex, folic acid, healthy habits and when to see a fertility specialist.
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In short
How to get pregnant: what actually helps
To get pregnant, have sex every 2 to 3 days, or focus on the few days before ovulation and the day itself, when you're most fertile. Experts recommend a daily vitamin with at least 400 micrograms of folic acid from a month before you start trying. Most couples under 40 conceive within a year. See a doctor after 12 months, or 6 months if you're 35 or older.
Written by the Gyne team · Medical review: pending
Key takeaways
- Sex every 2 to 3 days covers your fertile window without needing perfect timing.
- Your most fertile days are the few days before ovulation and the day of ovulation.
- Take at least 400 micrograms (mcg) of folic acid a day, starting at least a month before you try.
- A healthy weight and no smoking, alcohol or drugs help both partners.
- See a doctor after 12 months of trying, after 6 months if you're 35 or older, or right away if you're over 40.
When is the best time to get pregnant?
The best time is in the few days before ovulation and on the day you ovulate. Ovulation usually happens 10 to 16 days before your next period.
An egg lives for less than 24 hours after it's released, but sperm can survive inside your body for several days. So sperm that are already waiting when the egg is released give you the best chance.
How often should you have sex to get pregnant?
Every 2 to 3 days through your cycle is enough. Having sex every other day or every third day works about as well as every day.
If your cycles are regular, doctors often suggest sex between days 7 and 20 of your cycle, counting the first day of your period as day 1. This takes the pressure off pinpointing one exact day.
How can I find my fertile days?
You can track your fertile days with simple signs. Using two or more together gives you a clearer picture, especially if your cycles are irregular.
- Ovulation (LH) tests: a positive result means you'll likely ovulate in the next 24 to 36 hours.
- Cervical mucus: clear, slippery and stretchy like raw egg white means your most fertile days.
- Basal body temperature: a small rise each morning shows ovulation has already happened.
- Cycle history: tracking several months shows when your fertile days usually fall.
Should I take folic acid before getting pregnant?
Yes. Experts recommend a daily prenatal vitamin with at least 400 mcg of folic acid, starting at least 1 month before pregnancy and continuing through the first 12 weeks.
Folic acid lowers the risk of neural tube defects, which are problems with the baby's brain and spine that form very early, often before you know you're pregnant.
Some people need a higher amount, for example after a previous pregnancy with a neural tube defect. Ask your doctor about the right amount for you.
What habits help you get pregnant faster?
Everyday habits affect fertility for both partners. These changes can help:
- Aim for a healthy weight, because being underweight or overweight can make it harder to get pregnant.
- Stop smoking, and avoid alcohol and drugs, including marijuana.
- Stay active, aiming for about 150 minutes of moderate activity a week.
- Choose a lubricant made to be fertility-friendly, because some lubricants can affect sperm.
- Encourage your partner to stop smoking and avoid heavy drinking and marijuana, which can lower sperm count.
Should I see a doctor before trying to get pregnant?
A checkup before pregnancy is a good first step. Your doctor can review your vaccines, your health history and any medicines you take.
Don't stop any prescribed medicine on your own. Talk to your doctor first, especially if you have a condition like diabetes, epilepsy or a thyroid problem, so they can plan the safest option with you.
How long does it take to get pregnant?
For healthy couples in their 20s or early 30s, the chance of pregnancy is about 25 to 30 percent in each cycle. Most people aged 39 or under who have regular sex without birth control get pregnant within a year.
Fertility starts to decline in the early 30s and faster after 37. By 40, the chance drops to less than 10 percent per cycle.
When should you see a fertility specialist?
See a doctor if you haven't gotten pregnant after 12 months of regular sex without birth control. If you're 35 or older, go after 6 months. If you're over 40, talk to your doctor now.
The most common cause in women is a problem with ovulation, and in men, a problem with sperm. Testing usually checks both partners, and many causes can be treated.
When to see a doctor
- You're under 35 and haven't gotten pregnant after 12 months of trying.
- You're 35 or older and haven't gotten pregnant after 6 months of trying.
- You're over 40 and want to get pregnant: talk to your doctor before you start.
- Your periods are irregular, very far apart or have stopped.
- You have endometriosis, PCOS, a past pelvic infection, or your partner has a known sperm problem.
- You have a positive pregnancy test with severe belly pain, shoulder pain, dizziness or heavy bleeding: call 911 or your local emergency number.
How Gyne helps
Gyne builds your fertile window from the signs you log, like ovulation tests, morning temperature and cervical mucus, and gives you a preconception checklist from folic acid to a check-up. It also shows when it's reasonable to ask for help, with a fertility summary to take to the visit.
Trying to conceive and IVFThis guide is general information, not medical advice. Only a doctor can diagnose a condition.