Trying to conceive after four cycles and starting to worry

[Sunflowerseed124]

Hi everyone ❤️

I hope this doesn’t come across the wrong way, but I’ve been trying to conceive for 4 cycles now without success, and I’m starting to feel a little worried.

I’m 26 and my cycles are usually between 26–30 days. I’m actively tracking my fertile window and trying to time sex around ovulation as well as I can.

I know it can take up to a year to conceive and that 4 cycles isn’t considered a long time, but I think I’m starting to overthink things a little. I know some people conceive straight away, so after 4 unsuccessful cycles I’m finding it harder not to wonder whether I’m doing something wrong.

Does anyone have any advice or tips that helped them increase their chances in their next cycle?

I’d especially love to hear from anyone who had a similar experience and eventually got their BFP.

I have tried dieting and exercising more in august and all it did was speed up my period 🫠

Just looking for some reassurance and advice to help keep me sane next cycle! 😂❤️

I have started Cycle 5 today.

It took me best part of a year for my first, did all the 'right' things (better diet, exercise, testing for ovulation....) whether it made any difference i don't know but it happened! For my second (2 years between them) it took a month . I was 31 and 33, so older than you.
I suppose best advise is keep at it! The body is a strange, fickle beast and its disheartening to see yet another negative but you aren't alone - many been there and then it just happened!

It took me 4 years to have my second child, 4 months is a drop in the ocean even the doctors wont be worried. If your stressed that can be delaying it too.

Thank you for your reply. That makes me feel better . I guess i need to stay patient 🙂

I know it's easier said than done, but try not to stress. Stress really seems to affect fertility - probably for both parents. I remember one of my work friends trying for a baby for about 2 years when she was busy with her dad's care. She stopped trying, went on holiday with her husband, and, a few weeks after returning, suddenly realised she had not had a period since before she went away. Personally, I didn't get pregnant for years (I wasn't trying but wasn't preventing either) until I had some time off work due to an operation. Then got pregnant again at the end of my maternity leave 😂

I used to work in a maternity ward and many women mentioned getting pregnant while on holiday. Sometimes it just takes your mind off things - work, the house, anxiety about trying for a baby. Just worth mentioning. If it goes over a year, I think you can see a doc as well and get checked for any fertility issues.

Also calendars can be a bit inaccurate. With my 3rd, we planned and I must have conceived at least 3 days before my predicted ovulation date. Try to have sex every 1-2 days starting from just after your period stops (that is just what worked for me).

Thanks! Yes stress could play a role for both me and my partner as we are working a lot and buying a house.
We maybe need to relax 🤗

if dieting and exercising sped up your cycle is that not a good thing? more chances to get pregnant? you say it like it’s a bad thing but it’s not?

how heavy are you? being overweight is one sign of not being healthy. as is stress. maybe the healthy eating and exercising is exactly what you need to continue to do

acupuncture has a good track record for getting people pregnant and staying that way. it’s around £60 a session here.

Im 5ft 7 14 stone

Good luck with everything and I hope you will get some good news very soon! 🤗

My biggest tip would be not to use the fertility app and just have sex every 2 to 3 days throughout your cycle. Before getting pregnant I would try and time it when the app said would be my best chance to get pregnant. However I think I was ovulating before the period and therefore missing the window. When I decided to stop tracking and not use the app I got pregnant. Good luck with it all and I hope you get pregnant soon.

Bare in mind it's not "up to a year to get pregnant", that's the amount of time it takes for most couples actively trying to get pregnant.

Keep going, make sure you know what good ovulation tracking is, and - honestly - try losing some weight. It's a horrible fact of life but your obese BMI is going to be fighting against you. Is your partner doing what they need to do to look after their sperm and increase their chances?

4 cycles? It took us 7 years to have a live baby. Perhaps adjust your expectations a little and relax.

Im sorry to hear it took you 7 years. I understand it can take a long time, I just appreciate all the tips i can get to maximise my chances to conceive

Being overweight can effect fertility (for men too) so keep going with the diet and exercise even if this does change your cycle.

Test with LH strips and track BBT for ovulation rather than relying on an app/period dates if your cycle is potentially changing.

Its easy to feel like it’s happening instantly for everyone else but try and focus on you and your partner and what you can do to improve your chances.