Most couples are surprised to learn that getting pregnant isn’t as easy as just having unprotected sex then discovering two weeks later that you are expecting.

Did you know that on average only 25% of couples will conceive within their first month of trying, 60% within six months, 75% within nine months and 90% within a year-and-a-half? This means that for most couples it could take between six months and a year to get pregnant.

There are a variety of factors that can increase or decrease your chances of falling pregnant and it's important that you take them into consideration.

Advice on how to get pregnant:

Some fertility facts: 90 per cent of women in their twenties will become pregnant within a year of trying, and the other ten per cent still have a good chance of becoming pregnant within another year or so.

A woman is most fertile between the ages of 20-24 years. Women in their thirties have a much lower chance of conceiving after a year of trying. And by the time she is 35, she is half as fertile as when she was 25.

At 40 she is half as fertile as when she was 35 –see how fertility declines as you get older. This is not to say that you won’t get pregnant if you are over 24 - many women in their forties conceive first time - so for some women it really is a lottery when they will become pregnant.

It is worth to take into account the lifestyle factors that could hinder you conceiving before you plan to get pregnant.

Smoking

Research shows that smoking reduces the number of eggs in a woman’s ovaries. Smoking  decreases your ability to get pregnant. Women who smoke enter menopause earlier than women who don’t. Normal functioning of the fallopian tubes gets affected with smoking and the chances of the embryo implanting in the uterus. If you get pregnant and continue to smoke, your baby can be at risk from premature birth, miscarriage and, once it is born, SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome).

Alcohol

Occasional drinking shouldn’t cause any major problems in terms of your ability to conceive. The problems occur if you are an alcoholic, as excessive amounts of alcohol can cut your fertility by 50%. Your partner should also cut down on his drinking. Excessive amounts of alcohol can damage the male reproductive system and can also deplete the sperm generating cells in the testicles.

Your weight  

Achieve a healthy weight before you get pregnant. If you are significantly underweight or overweight, menstruation can often suffer and your fertility may be affected. The most important thing when trying to conceive is to experience regular menstruation and therefore ovulation. Getting pregnant when you are seriously overweight leaves you more prone to complications such as pre- eclampsia, gestational diabetes and pre-term birth. Try to get at least half-an-hour's exercise a day, even if this is just walking briskly to the bus stop.

Eating healthily

Getting five or more fruit and vegetables a day, drinking lots of water and cutting out junk food can really help you stay healthy for conception. Health eating habits affects your weight and ability to fall pregnant, but you are more likely to conceive if you are healthy, and this means following a healthy balanced diet.
 

 Yes - you do have to have sex to become pregnant. There are many old wives' tales about the sexual positions which can help you become pregnant. The aim is to keep the sperm inside the woman for as long as possible. The missionary position seems to work for most couples (with the man on top). 

Having sex in your fertile period

It is absolutely essential that you have sex in the few days a month when you are most fertile. For conception to occur your ovaries have to release an egg each month – a process called ovulation. The egg stays in your uterus for a day or two, it is around this time of the month that you are at your most fertile. The trick is to work out when you might be ovulating so that you can ensure you have unprotected sex around this time.

How can I know if I am ovulating?

There are ways to spot if you are ovulating or not. When you ovulate your temperature goes up by around 0.4 and 0.8 degrees. If you have the patience and can take your temperature every morning, keep a chart and look out for any rises in temperature around days 12 to 16. Some women experiencing slight cramping pains either side of their abdomen when they ovulate, which can also be a handy sign.  

Other than that it is important for you to have sex regularly around your fertile period. Some experts tell you to abstain from sex until your fertile period and others tell you to have regular sex throughout your cycle. It really is up to you, but make sure you have sex often on and around the day that you ovulate.

The information in this feature is intended for educational purposes only. If you have any concerns about your health, the health of your child or the health of someone you know, please consult with a doctor or other healthcare professional.