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Conception

When's the best time to get pregnant? Use our interactive ovulation calculator to work out when you're most fertile and most likely to conceive.

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Original poster

How likely are you to get pregnant on your first attempt TTC?

22 replies

fineanddandy · 20/03/2007 19:23

Had unprotected sex on day 14 of my cycle - how likely is it that I'm pregnant? Period not due til the weekend and no real symptoms to speak of (well, have a few but sure I'm imagining them!). Can I test now? Would there be signs already? Also, the worse thing is that I've drunk on several occasions and have had a few cigarettes in the last 10 days since day 14 plus have taken valium/diazepan (for flying)plus have eaten blue cheese, as it only occured to me in last few days that I could be pregnant so terrified that if I am I've damaged the baby.

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Plibble · 20/03/2007 19:40

I think that if you have sex around the time when you are ovulating, then (assuming no other problems, you are in good health and that you are in your early 20s) you have about a 25% of being pregnant each month. It is just a guide, though, women being people and not books... You have less of a chance as you get older, if you smoke etc. If you are in your 30s, I read it takes an average of 9 attempts to conceive.
Some pregnancy tests can pick up pregnancy hormones from about 4 days before your period is due, but if you get a negative it could be a false negative that early. It's best to wait until your period is due for a more reliable result.
If you were pregnant, I can't see how you would have damaged the baby by drinking/smoking/taking diazepam since the embryo would probably only be implanting during the time between having sex and the date your period should start and not developing anything terribly important. It is extremely common for women to have a few drinks or take drugs during that time - I took a load of Anadin Extra, which is not generally thought to be a good idea...
If you are trying for a baby (or not trying not to get pregnant) then you should take folic acid starting now until you are 12 weeks pregnant and stop smoking (sorry to sound like I'm lecturing but smoking is bad! ). HTH

Tiggatoo · 20/03/2007 19:40

Firstly you're unlikely to have done anything to harm any baby, secondly if you're worrying like this on your first month then I think you need to relax a little.

It's not impossible for first attempt conception. I should know, I"ve done it twice (and first was around Xmas time and as I was a regular party girl I can tell you I sank a few).

fruitful · 20/03/2007 19:42

Do you have a 28 day cycle? If so it is fairly likely that you ovulate on day 14, but not definite.

If everything is fine with both you and dh and you have sex on the day you ovulate, you have a 30% chance of getting pg.

You can start testing about 3 days before you are due but a negative might mean "too early to tell" rather than "not pg".

Do you want to be pg?

fruitful · 20/03/2007 19:43

too slow ...

baggybelly · 20/03/2007 19:47

It happened to me - twice, hence dd and ds. I'd think its Unlikely you have done any harm to the baby and a test isn't likely to show whether you are pg or not yet. I'd be tempted to lay off taking any drugs just in case. good luck x

lulumama · 20/03/2007 19:51

i did ! if you are pregnant, or even think you might be, knock the booze, fags and tablets on the head , and do a test at the weekend ..you won;t have damaged your baby, a lot of women do this, and no harm comes to the baby, start taking folic acid if TTC anyway, and let us know how you get on

Original poster

fineanddandy · 20/03/2007 19:56

god, didn't know the likelihood was so high!! Scary but also exciting. I'm 30 and DH and I have been thinking about trying for a while and this month was the first we've been brave enough! DH kept saying we should start because it could take months/years but I suppose on the other hand it could happen straight away! Plibble, been taking folic acid for last month or so (well, trying to but missed quite a few) and have now officially kicked the fags!

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Original poster

fineanddandy · 20/03/2007 19:57

and will lay off the booze as well. Bet I'm not now after all this!

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hertsnessex · 20/03/2007 19:58

i did..........three times!

and i got told i had a 1% chance of conceiving naturally i was told by a specialist just a yr before (pcos and endo)

keep positive, you never know!

Stigaloid · 21/03/2007 10:55

I'm 31 and got pregnant first time. I doubt you would have done any damage to any growing little bean but i'd stay off the coffee, cigs and booze until after your period arrives (or doesn't!) I took a test too early and it came back negative. Was confused why my period was late and thought it may be stress-related but took another test the day after period was meant to arrive and lo and behold - pregnant! Wait a few more days (tests can be expensive) and see how it goes.

Good luck for your TTC's!

BandofMothers · 21/03/2007 10:58

Depends how long it's been if you were on any oral or injection contraceptives. High chance. And don't worry about any bad things the embryo isn't even implanted til then anyway so you can't damage it, until it's actually sharing your vitals.

BandofMothers · 21/03/2007 10:59

If you have trouble leaving the fags, you'll find it a lot easier when that little line appears on a pg test!!!

NotanOtter · 21/03/2007 11:01

i have got pg first shot a couple of times!

lucy5 · 21/03/2007 11:09

With dd it took 6 months.
With ds it was first attempt.

Original poster

fineanddandy · 21/03/2007 19:46

Well, AF has just arrived, a few days early, so that solves that one! Have just used one of those online ovulation calculators - has anyone had much success with those?

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skidaddle · 23/03/2007 15:47

Hi fineanddandy,

glad to see there's someone else new to all this - everyone else on this forum seems so knowledgeable and expert (not to say you're not!)

Sorry this wasn't your month but you can prepare properly for this month..

I think the ovulation calendars are good if your cycle is regular. best advice i think is just to have loads of sex a few days before ovulation and a day or two after - and then just wait.

This is my first month trying, done all the sex bit and am now waiting - crossed fingers for us both!

Berrie · 23/03/2007 15:56

I did both times! Also drank until I knew as well so don't worry too much but, as others have said, best to lay off until you know and folic acid

flamey · 23/03/2007 16:01

Happened to me both times - if you are then your baby will be fine - just cut everything back now

flamey · 23/03/2007 16:02

orry - just finished the thread

Good luckk next month!

Original poster

fineanddandy · 25/03/2007 22:10

Skidaddle, you're right, I'm far from expert but MN is helping massively with getting up to speed! Are you doing anything else to target the right time, eg taking your temperature etc? DH and I said we would see what happens rather than actively try but think if it doesn't happen in a month or so we are going to have to go for it! Good luck! x

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skidaddle · 26/03/2007 08:48

Hi fineanddandy,
We didn't really do anything more than estimate dates this last month but if that hasn't worked, I think we will get a bit more hardcore and do temperature and CM (learnt all about this on MN!).

I'm finding it very hard to be laid back about it though - these two weeks waiting have been agonising and I'm only halfway there! Good luck to you and let us know how you get on.

Taylormamaloveslindtbunnies · 26/03/2007 08:52

i did but didn't expect to and did a few naughty things (rare steak etc etc) - gave birth to a lovely, healthy baby so please don't give yourself sleepless nights. Good luck!

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