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AIBU?

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Original poster

To ask how long did it take you to get pregnant

178 replies

lunaland · 31/05/2019 08:55

Did you take ovulation tests or just leave it to chance?
What lifestyle changes did you make and how did you stay positive when getting negative test results?
I’m 29 and we’ve only been trying for a couple of months but I’m (a little prematurely I know) starting to panic that I might be infertile or that dh might be.

OP posts:
MrFlibblesEyes · 31/05/2019 09:40

A year and a half to have a so far successful pregnancy (I'm 20 weeks). Conceived on cycle 4 but sadly that one didn't last. We were surprised it took so long as we were both early 30s and the picture of health, - ideal weight, healthy eaters, non smokers, barely drink, regular exercise, regular periods etc. I think it's just the luck of the draw as we used temping and ovulation kits after the first few months so we weren't timing sex wrong or anything (did it all month anyway just incase!). We were diagnosed with some male factor infertility issues but I conceived naturally two months later, for some couples it just takes time! I hope you concieve soon but don't stress if it takes a while, anything up to a year is considered normal. Good luck!

xrebekah · 31/05/2019 10:28

9 months. I have irregular periods, and had been told from the age of 15 that I wouldnt be able to conceive naturally, but OH and I decided to give it a go anyways. Id started to give up and look into other options when it finally happened. DD is now 15 months ❤.

Good luck OP, it will happen eventually. Don't let it get in your head as the stress really doesn't help. Sounds abit like backwards advice, but if it starts getting too much just take a step back, stop activly trying (keep having sex, just don't only have sex for the sake of getting pregnant)

CuppaSarah · 31/05/2019 10:31

6 Months
15 months
2 months

A huge part of it is down to luck, you can have sex at the perfect time every month and still wait a little while. But theres no reason to think it won't happen after only a few months. It's completely normaly for it to take up to a year.

Wormentrude · 31/05/2019 10:34

10 months at 29. I had exactly the same worry, OP.

Pipandmum · 31/05/2019 10:34

No lifestyle changes (though I think I took some folic acid), nor my hubby. Conceived after being off pill for 4 months. I was 40 at conception. Second child about the same time - 4 months I think and I was 42 when I conceived. Didn’t do any tracking though I was aware when I’d be more fertile. Just had sex as usual no thinking ‘I must be ovulating so we must have sex’. I wanted kids but we just took the attitude if it happens it happens not going to stress out about it. We were very fortunate we had two healthy kids - one of each.

Camomila · 31/05/2019 10:35

DS we were 27 and it took 5 months, didn't do temperature/ovulation sticks.

Currently pregnant, age 31 and it took 1 month. I'd been using the natural cycles contraceptive app for about 9m beforehand (temperature taking) so I knew when I'd ovulate.

ReturnofSaturn · 31/05/2019 10:36

1 month at 28 years old.

Whatelsecouldibecalled · 31/05/2019 10:38

3 years and counting. In the middle of an IVF cycle now. Some stats that might help you:

  1. 80% of couples having regular sex (2/3 times a week) with no issues will fall pregnant in a year.
  2. 90% of couples having regular sex with no issues will fall pregnant in two years.
  3. Each cycle you have a 20% chance of falling pregnant.
  4. The egg only lives for 24 hours so very small window to fertilise it
  5. Decent sperm can live up to 5 days inside you so good to have sex before you think you ovulate as well as after.
  6. If using ovulation testing the test picks up on Lh surge which often happens after the egg has been released.
  7. Most NHS CCG will not investigate fertility problems until you have been having regular unprotected sex for over a year and some places insists for two years.
  8. If you track your Basel body temperature it can give you a good indication of when you ovulate to get to know your cycles.
  9. Some types of lube can damage sperm be careful what you are using.

Wishing you all the luck in the world and I sincerely hope you have an easier time than us!

Whatelsecouldibecalled · 31/05/2019 10:38

Oh FWIW we are 27 and 29 when we started trying. Healthy bmi weight etc None smokers low drinkers and good exercisers!

MustardScreams · 31/05/2019 10:39

A few very large glasses of wine Blush Dd was a huge surprise.

Now thinking about no.2 and have stopped drinking, and eating healthier as I’m now in my 30s and want to give my body a better chance.

Good luck! Hope it happens soon for you.

Whatelsecouldibecalled · 31/05/2019 10:40

Also don’t take a test early. It’s an absolute mind fuck. Wait until at least 3 days late. You might as well pee on £10 notes if not.

PoppyHxx · 31/05/2019 10:41

It took us 3 months. I made 0 life style changes. I carried on as normal as and said to my self I didnt mind whether I fell pregnant or not

tisonlymeagain · 31/05/2019 10:42

First pregnancy (25) came off the pill, no period but pregnant after three months. Not paying any attention to cycles etc.

Second pregnancy (26) literally first shot Blush

Third pregnancy (39) came off mini pill, 2nd cycle of trying, was using OPKs to find out peak time.

Sleepyquest · 31/05/2019 10:42

1 month at 28. Had no idea when I ovulated though so I'd suggest doing the ovulation testing. Turns out baby was conceived quite late in my cycle so glad we didn't stop DTD too early.

PurpleFlower1983 · 31/05/2019 10:43

3 years to the month. I was 31 when I came off the pill and 34 when I conceived. We stopped trying for 3 months in the run up to our wedding.

We went to docs for preliminary infertility tests and made some significant lifestyle changes in anticipation of possible IVF. I lost 2 stone, DH gave up drinking, caffeine and cut down on smoking. We both took a mixture of supplements and used conceive plus lube. I found I out I was pregnant and had conceived naturally a month before our first consultant appointment.

PurpleFlower1983 · 31/05/2019 10:44

Just to add, the lifestyle changes we made started in the April and I conceived in June, I’m sure these made a difference, particularly on DH’s part.

FAIL2PREPARE · 31/05/2019 10:44

20 months to concieve, finally got pregnant aged 27. Lost two stone but don't know if it helped, just wanted to feel like I was taking action to help conception along. Also it helped us to keep trying even after the 'fertile window' as ovulation was often late. Best of luck to you x

Tiredmum100 · 31/05/2019 10:44

I got pregnant 1st time ttc with dc1 and 2nd month ttc with dc2. I know I am very fortunate. I didn't use any ovulation kits, I had very regular periods so just worked out when I thought I was most fertile and went from there. I wasnt to stressed about it to be honest so maybe that helped?

Mominatrix · 31/05/2019 10:47

No ovulation tests. It took 1-2 cycles for me to get pregnant - I just happen to get pregnant easily.

CastorTroyWantsHisFaceBack · 31/05/2019 10:53

First pregnancy - 11 months which sadly ended in miscarriage. I then fell pregnant again 11 months later and am now 39 weeks. DH likes to say ‘11 is our lucky number’. We didn’t make changes but I did track my ovulation and because obsessed with EWCM!

We paid for private testing because I was becoming somewhat depressed with the whole thing - when they phoned me with the results, which were fine, I was pregnant Grin

Similar happened to a friend, her and her DH tried for 5 years with no success. They were due to start her first round of IVF and found out she was pregnant.

It can be a horrible time TTC, wishing you all the luck in the world!

IcelandicYoghurt · 31/05/2019 10:54

I'd been tracking my period for ages so knew in theory when I'd be ovulating. Made sure we used the right sort of lube (with some the PH can kill sperm I think) and made sure to lie down for while after to let them get swimming Hmm. First cycle we dtd twice, a few days prior to ovulation and on the day of ovulation. Bam, I'm up the duff. Only 10 weeks so far so early days yet of course, and who knows how long it will take the next time. I'm 37.

Treaclepie19 · 31/05/2019 10:56

Age 24 - first pregnancy ended in miscarriage, took 5 months to conceive
Age 24/25 - second pregnancy took 5 months to conceive and have a DS
Age 28 - third pregnancy conceived straight away but we lost him (TFMR)

JacquesHammer · 31/05/2019 10:56

Pregnancy 1 - first month = DD
Pregnancy 2 - second month = m/c

5 years unsuccessfully trying for a third pregnancy including fertility treatment.

Treaclepie19 · 31/05/2019 10:56

Oh and pre-seed has really helped us I think.

ZippyBungleandGeorge · 31/05/2019 10:57

I made lifestyle changes a few years in advance, low carb, high protein, gym five times a week to try and manage my PCOS, it worked and I conceived within about five weeks of coming off the pill which was a huge shock as we were under the fertility clinic because my PCOS had been so bad. I made the changes for my health though and knew I might never be able to have a baby, we also planned things for a plan b no DC life. I still think longingly about that boat and travel plans sometimes.. .. most people I know took anywhere between a month and eighteen months.

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