How long did it take you to conceive?

[RachJ90]

Hi everyone

I’m currently on the 9th cycle trying to conceive #1. I’m just wondering how long it took you all to conceive #1! Is this completely normal? Should I be worried? DH just says it will happen when it happens and not to worry.. maybe he’s right! We put so much planning into a situation we have no control over!

[EmeraldRubyShark]

I have endometriosis and only one functioning Fallopian tube (the other is blocked irreparably) so I went into it expecting it to take months, maybe years, with the NHS saying come back after six months of trying (due to my age- 31) for treatment. Took us two bloody weeks 😂 I’m only just coming out of the first trimester now so no idea if this will stick but seeing as you only asked about conceiving thought I’d reply :)

Up to a year is totally normal for couples having regular unprotected sex, you’re perfectly typical so far!

[Carley321]

Omg I can’t believe the variety. It seems that it’s either under a year or way way over a year! Me and DP have been ttc for 12 months now so I’m feeling a little scared that it’s not going to happen anytime soon for us 😥

[Pppppppp1234]

DS1 fell pregnant on the pill, DC2 (25 weeks now... ) took us 11 months... I had given up and said to DH if we weren’t pregnant by the end of 2019 we’d give up and go on an expensive holiday instead... for my BFP New Year’s Eve...

[SirSidneyRuffDiamond]

13 years of unexplained infertility followed by a VERY unexpected natural conception when I was 37. DS is now 12 years old.

[WaxOnFeckOff]

Carley We went to see the GP after a year. He said as we were over 30 at the time, then a year was long enough to try without starting to look at whether everything was as it should be. He said for younger couples then up to two years would be considered fairly normal. That was over 20 years ago though so maybe advice is different now. We didn't have widely available over the counter trackers and such things then though plus no easy access to the internet for most people so I think there is probably more self help available to help conception now.

[anonforthespies43267]

3 cycles using OPKs but unfortunately ended in early miscarriage. I didn’t wait for a period and got pregnant straight after. 36 weeks now

[userabcname]

First cycle with DC1.
8 months to get a bfp with DC2 (currently pregnant now).
Good luck!

[mamalovebird]

DS (1st) was a surprise so no actual time actively trying.
DD (2nd) took nearly a year! Had just been referred for tests then the next month it happened (exactly like my GP predicted!).

[Bol87]

3 months with the first..

I consider myself v lucky, on cycle 3 this time, on 6dpo. We shall see!

[Carley321]

Thanks @WaxOnFeckOff I am 32 and it is 18 months in our area.

It just feels like it’s never going to happen. I thought I may have been lucky this cycle but then started spotting brown cm today with a few minor cramps. So think af is on the way. I’m feeling so disheartened over it. What the bloody hell do you need to do! Lol x

[DeadDoorpost]

First time, and then 2 or 3 months as not sure I even released an egg first month as periods returned after breastfeeding.

Isn't 12 months the average, or considered normal to conceive though? I know I've been really lucky and my family is historically v v fertile (think conceived on pill 3 times etc)

[neversleepagain]

First cycle (twins), I was 33. Never thought it would be quick.

[buoyancyade]

First pregnancy was the first month without contraception but not tracking my cycle, but unfortunately I had a miscarriage quite early on.

Left it a month, tried to time it to my ovulation and got pregnant again that month (DC1)

DC2 was first month of trying, aimed around ovulation with a simple period tracking app, and it worked again.

Very grateful for the straightforwardness. Unless seeking out stories, you tend to only hear about those who got pregnant accidentally or those who struggle for a long time, the norm really is somewhere in between.

[diaduittoyou]

You will get different answers across the spectrum that are fairly meaningless really when applied to your situation.
If you've been trying without success for 12 months, go see a doctor for initial testing (6 months if older than 35). Good luck

[dancingheartbeat]

3 very long years for me with dd xxx

[EL8888]

12 cycles of trying and no success for us

[Mrsmummy90]

First cycle with DD and we weren't trying with dd2 (currently 32 weeks)

We consider ourselves incredibly lucky

[Strokethefurrywall]

Instant with DS1. I was 31
2nd cycle with DS2. I was 35

I was always prepared for it to take ages and was just very lucky.

[BlueRaincoat1]

About 12 months with DC1 (I was 35). I had been on the pill for a long time, and I really felt, perhaps wrongly, that was a factor in how long it took. DC2 took 3 or 4 months when I was 37.

[NakedBrainStrollingInManhatten]

Dc1 was a surprise pregnancy when I was 22.

At age 29 I have birth to DC2, had been trying for around 3 years. 1 year fairly casually just not using protection and assuming it would happen quickly. For the next two years we got serious about it, stopped drinking, took vitamins, used apps to track my periods/ ovulation, exercised more, healthy eating.

Had 1 miscarriage around the two year mark. Then found out I was pregnant a year after that.

I would suggest going to your doctors if you are worried. Mine was lovely, very supportive and scheduled DH and I for tests (which we ended up cancelling as I found out I was pregnant)

[RyvitaBrevis]

Do you like statistics? Assuming the timing during the cycle is right, most people of childbearing age have around a 20-25% chance of becoming pregnant on any given cycle. So with those odds you might expect it to take 5 months, but it wouldn't be at all unexpected for it to take 9 months. 86% of women under 35 will conceive by the end of 12 months, and 94% will conceive by the end of 2 years. Hope that helps.

I'm sadly in the 6% who don't after 2 years but someone has to be . If you pass the year mark, or have a particular reason to be worried, time to go to the GP.

[SinisterBumFacedCat]

18 months for DS, we were literally weeks away from looking at IVF clinics.

[Rememberallball]

Almost 4 years and 2 cycles of IVF but am older than a lot of first time mums. We sought medical investigations after 6 months of trying and were eventually told that ivf with donor eggs was our only option but were, by hat point, too old for NHS treatment. First IVF was unsuccessful and, due to family situation ended up postponing second cycle by 8 months. Currently 22 weeks with twins and counting down the weeks till we meet them!!