How long does it take to get pregnant?

You could conceive on your first try — or it might take up to a year

Deciding to start a family can feel exciting, emotional — and sometimes confusing. Even though couples know how babies are made, they may still wonder: How long is this supposed to take?

The answer isn’t cut and dried. Conception often takes time — even with good health and careful planning.

“Some couples conceive on their first try, while others may spend months tracking cycles and timing ovulation,” says Jennifer Gell, MD, a reproductive endocrinologist at Geisinger. “Every couple is different, and how long it takes you to get pregnant is dependent on a few factors.”

Understanding what’s normal (and what’s not) and what affects your odds can help make the process more manageable — and less stressful.

How long does it take to get pregnant?

For healthy couples with well-timed intercourse, the chances of getting pregnant during any one menstrual cycle is about 20% to 25%. Those odds gradually decline with age — especially after 35 and more significantly after 40 — because both egg quantity and quality change over time.

“That means there’s a chance you can get pregnant the first month of trying, but it could take anywhere from 6 months to a year or longer to conceive,” says Dr. Gell. “So, not seeing a positive test in the first few cycles doesn’t necessarily mean there’s a problem.

Around 60% to 70% of couples conceive within 3 to 6 months, and about 80% to 85% within 12 months when there are no underlying fertility concerns.

Month to month, several factors can influence the time it takes you to conceive, such as:

Age. Fertility, including egg and sperm health, starts to decline after age 35.
Menstrual patterns. Predictable, monthly cycles typically mean consistent ovulation, which makes it easier to predict your fertile window.
Timing around ovulation. Timing intercourse during your fertile window improves your odds of conception.
Reproductive health. Underlying conditions like PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome), endometriosis or thyroid issues, along with unhealthy lifestyle habits, can extend the timeline.

Improving odds: Tips to get pregnant sooner

If you’ve only been trying to get pregnant for a few months — or you’re just getting started — don’t jump the “infertility” gun. You can take steps to improve your odds while also preparing your body for pregnancy.

“Remember, fertility is a shared journey. Both partners should focus on maintaining healthy habits,” says Dr. Gell. “Age and unhealthy lifestyles can negatively impact a man’s sperm health and count, making conception harder.”

Know your fertile window

Timing matters when it comes to conception. Even if you’re in great health, missing your fertile window can significantly lower your chances of getting pregnant that cycle.

During ovulation, the ovaries release a mature egg usually around the middle of a woman’s menstrual cycle. Once released, the egg survives for only about 24 hours. Sperm, however, can live in a woman’s reproductive tract for up to 5 days.

That’s why a woman’s fertile window includes the 2 days leading up to ovulation, the day of and day after ovulation occurs.

“The highest chances of conception are the 2 days before ovulation and ovulation day itself,” says Dr. Gell. “A good rule of thumb is to time intercourse every 2 days during this window, so sperm are already present when the egg is released.”

Tracking your menstrual cycle can help you estimate your ovulation. In a 28-day cycle, ovulation often falls around day 14, though many women ovulate earlier or later. Ovulation predictor kits and fertility apps also can help pinpoint your fertile days.

Prioritize sleep and reduce stress

While stress alone doesn’t necessarily cause infertility, chronic stress and sleep deprivation can disrupt the hormonal balance required for fertility.

Aim for 7 to 9 hours of sleep each night and consider stress-reducing habits like yoga, mindfulness, counseling or spending time outdoors to keep cortisol levels in check.

If you smoke, it’s time to quit

Smoking and nicotine use can negatively affect egg quality, making it harder to conceive. And smoking during pregnancy increases health risks for mom and baby.

“Smoking has been linked with an increased risk of miscarriage and ectopic pregnancies,” says Dr. Gell.

It’s not just the mom-to-be who needs to quit either. “You don’t want to be exposed to secondhand smoke from your partner,” she adds. “Plus, smoking also lowers a man’s sperm quality and function.”

Cut back on your alcohol intake

“There’s no solid evidence that moderate alcohol intake will have an effect on your fertility, but you may want to err on the side of caution and stop drinking alcohol when you start trying to conceive,” says Dr. Gell. “Early in pregnancy, the baby’s crucial organs develop, typically before 8 weeks of pregnancy, when a woman may not know she’s pregnant yet.”

Although having a glass or 2 of wine before you know you’re pregnant is usually fine, there’s technically no safe amount of alcohol during pregnancy. And excessive alcohol consumption during pregnancy can lead to fetal alcohol syndrome, which is a constellation of physical and mental defects.

Talk to your doctor about your weight

Being significantly under or overweight can have an impact on ovulation and fertility.
“Women who are underweight, or have a body mass index (BMI) lower than 19, may have difficulty conceiving if they don’t have regular menstrual cycles,” says Dr. Gell, noting a normal BMI range for women is 19 to 24. “We suggest that women with a low BMI and absent menstrual cycles consider an evaluation with a fertility specialist.”

On the other hand, excess body fat can contribute to hormone imbalances and insulin resistance. Having too much insulin in your body can disrupt menstruation. Losing 5% to 10% of your bodyweight can be enough to spur ovulation and menstruation.

Take a daily prenatal vitamin

If you’re actively trying to conceive, Dr. Gell suggests starting a daily prenatal vitamin or multivitamin that contains 400 mg of folic acid.

“In the earliest weeks of pregnancy, perhaps before you even know you’re pregnant, the baby’s neural tubes develop (the earliest versions of the brain and spinal column),” says Dr. Gell. “Taking folic acid is a key component of reducing the risk of birth defects.”

When to talk to your doctor

Trying to conceive can test your patience, but there comes a point when it’s worth checking in with your doctor — especially if pregnancy isn’t happening as quickly as expected.

“For women under age 35, talk to your doctor if you’ve been unsuccessfully trying to get pregnant for close to 12 months. If you’re older than 35 and haven’t been able to get pregnant after 6 months of trying, schedule an appointment with your doctor,” says Dr. Gell.

You may want to reach out sooner if you:
• Have irregular periods
• Had previous miscarriages
• Have a condition that affects fertility, such as PCOS or endometriosis
• Have concerns about sperm count or quality

Try not to panic if it doesn’t happen right away. It’s normal for conception to take a few months — and sometimes up to a year — even with excellent timing.

“Patience and persistence are key,” says Dr. Gell. “Most couples are able to get pregnant on their own — it may just take longer than expected.”