help getting pregnant

Once you’ve decided to try for a baby, an active, happy sex life is likely to be enough to let you conceive.

Fertility expert Professor William Ledger sees many couples hoping to get pregnant.

“Have a happy sex life” is his top tip. He says that some couples with fertility problems don't have sex often enough to give themselves the best chance of conceiving.

An understanding of a woman’s monthly fertility cycle can be helpful. But there’s no need to try to time sex around your cycle. It’s better simply to have sex often throughout the month.

The monthly fertility cycle

Every month, hormonal changes in a woman’s body cause an egg to be released from the ovaries. This egg travels into the fallopian tubes, which connect the ovaries to the uterus (womb). This is called ovulation.

You’re most likely to get pregnant if you have sex within a day or so of ovulation. Ovulation usually happens about 14 days after the first day of your last period.

An egg lives for about 12-24 hours after it’s released. For you to get pregnant, a sperm must fertilise the egg within this time. Sperm can live for up to seven days inside your body, which means an egg can be fertilised by sperm that entered the body before the egg was released.

Learn more about the monthly cycle and pregnancy in When can I get pregnant?

Sex and pregnancy

If you’re hoping to achieve pregnancy, for the best chance of success you're recommended to have sex every two or three days throughout the month.

You don’t need to time sex around ovulation. Trying to do this can be stressful, and becoming stressed can lead to you having less sex.

“Some people buy special kits, or use temperature charts, to try to monitor when they’re ovulating,” says Professor Ledger.

“But temperature charts can be hard to keep and aren’t always reliable. Both kits and charts can cause unnecessary anxiety without being much use.

“Knowing your exact day of ovulation is only useful if you want to time intercourse to the day. Aim for less stress and more fun. After all, it should be a happy time.”

Find out how to give yourself the best chance of conceiving inHow can I get pregnant?

How long to get pregnant?

Nine out of 10 couples in which the woman is under 35 will conceive naturally after one year of having regular unprotected sex.

There is more advice in How long does it usually take to get pregnant?

If you’ve been trying for a year or more and have not become pregnant, see your GP. Your GP can do tests to help identity possible fertility problems, and provide advice on the next steps.

If the female partner is over 35, or you’ve had problems before, such as an ectopic pregnancy or surgery that may have affected your fertility, seek help sooner.