How long did it take for you to conceive?

[Plumchumm]

Hi there, I’m asking for those who were actually tracking ovulation and able to have sex during fertile period - how many cycles did it take for you to fall pregnant even doing everything right? Just curious! Thank you :)

One cycle and pregnant with twins. 32 years of age.

My first (nearly 35 y/o when I conceived) took 1 cycle of tracking (had sex once). Second (37.5 y/o) took 4 cycles (had sex twice).

1st - around 18 cycles
2nd - 4 cycles
3rd - 1st cycle of ‘trying’

Started trying at 36, tracked religiously, didn’t conceive, had two cycles of IVF, success on third transfer at the age of 39, gave birth at 40. Now pregnant again naturally after two months of relaxed and random no tracking sex at the age of 42!

Age 30 5 cycles
age 33 7 cycles.

1 cycle both times- aged 27 and then 30

1 year the first time followed by first month the second.

9 months for a successful pregnancy (also at 2 months but ended in early miscarriage).

Adding this here because I felt like the answers in these forums are often "1 month!" or 2-3 years +. Anecdotally from people I know, there is a huge range and what I experienced is very common. So I hope that helps :)

I had a chemical pregnancy after 1 month of trying then it took a further 3 months to conceive my eldest and with my youngest 4 cycles but was over a period of 7 months because my husband worked away. In some months I knew we hadn’t hit my ovulation I was actively tracking ovulation/my cycle

Age 27 - 2 cycles just off the pill dtd everyday over fertile week
Age 31 - 1 cycle, off the pill for months and 4 days before ovulation somehow!

age 34 - 5 or 6 cycles
age 37 - 1 cycle - first time lucky

I was not using any extra tracking tests, just watching for physical signs. The key for me was realising that my fertile time was very early in my cycle, first week or so after period; by the time I had CM, it was too late for that cycle!

With DD1, we DTD early in the month b/c DH was going on a trip during what we thought was the magic time.
With DD2, I tested my theory that earlier was better and was correct.

good luck!

That’s so interesting! For your second, did you end up having a girl? I heard the shettles method apparently makes you conceive a girl (getting pregnant from sex 4 days before ovulation)

Thanks so much for these responses everyone! Keep them coming :) it is really encouraging to hear the wide range. I am in my own fertility journey and have had a few miscarriages so far but hoping to be successful soon

I'm still pregnant only 9 weeks so I won't find out for another couple of months! My first was a boy and my sickness this time around is much worse so if the method is correct technically it should be but we shall see 😬

3 cycles - didn't track my 3rd cycle, just 'aimed' for my ovulation day and had fun.. had sex once that cycle and fell pregnant. Age 38.

Age 36 - 1 cycle
Age 40 - 1 cycle (fraternal twins)
I had private blood tests done before beginning to try for each pregnancy and took supplements for anything I was low in for 4 months prior.

My first baby was conceived first cycle (I was 29/turning 30).

im currently 20 weeks with our second conceived in October 2025, had been trying for 18 months - fell pregnant nine times in that window but all ended in miscarriage.

11th month 1st baby
3rd month 2nd baby

(wanted a third and no contraception after 2nd - aged 30 not tracking but not avoiding but never got pregnant, well I’m 42 now)

Wow what I’m taking from these responses is it really does seem quite random especially those who took varying amounts of time to conceive 1st v 2nd v 3rd child. Really impossible to know how long it’ll take even if you’ve already had a child.

Age 30- not actively trying, third cycle
Age 33- first cycle

1st child- 3 years
2nd- 3 months

First pregnancy (IVF) took 3.5 years but ended in a miscarriage. 2nd pregnancy (also IVF) was around 6 months later and I had my DD who is now 7 so it took almost 5 years to have an actual baby. I've been trying ever since she was born for another but we've had treatment delays due to weight issues and then cancer. I've just started the meds for another IVF cycle so fingers crossed I can complete my family soon!

I got pregnant aged 32, I was really nervous it would be hard as my period has always been very irregular. I tracked my ovulation and got pregnant on the first try. Now 33 weeks pregnant with a boy.

2 years + and needed clomid both times

Used BBT tracking (Natural Cycles app) as contraception and to get to know my cycle, starting a year before we wanted to TTC. Once we started trying, became pregnant on the third cycle of BBT tracking. Age 29. Only had sex twice that month but managed to time it for 3 days and 1 day before ovulation! DS is nearly 2 now and I don't think I could face being pregnant again, I had awful sickness first time round and not sure I could handle it again while also looking after DS.

Xx