Detailed Guide on Getting Pregnant

If you’re considering having a baby, you probably have wondered how long it will take to get pregnant, when to have sex, and how often. Find the detailed guide on getting pregnant here.

Image credit: Tima Miroshnichenko

The Chances of Getting Pregnant

It’s a common question: What are the chances that I’ll get pregnant this month? For most people who are trying, the odds you’ll become pregnant are 15%-25% in any particular month. However, several factors can affect your chances:

• Age: After age 30, your chances of getting pregnant in any given month decrease. They continue to decline steeply in your 40s.
• Irregular Periods: This can make it difficult to predict ovulation and determine the best time to have sex.
• Frequency of Intercourse: Less frequent sex reduces your chances of getting pregnant.
• Duration of Trying: If you haven’t become pregnant after a year of trying, your chances may be lower. It’s advisable to consult a doctor about fertility tests for both partners.
• Health Conditions: Certain illnesses or medical conditions can impact your ability to conceive.

Understanding Your Menstrual Cycle when trying to get pregnant

Knowing more about your menstrual cycle can help you get pregnant. The cycle prepares your body for a possible pregnancy. As your ovaries prepare to release an egg, the lining of your uterus thickens, making it easier for a fertilized egg to attach. If the egg isn’t fertilized, the extra lining breaks down and is shed through menstruation.

Your cycle starts on the first day you notice bright red blood—not just spotting—and ends the day before your next cycle begins. A cycle can take 21-35 days or more. Irregular cycles, which vary by a few days from month to month, are common and not necessarily problematic.

Getting Pregnant Timeline

In a typical 28-day cycle, your ovary releases an egg around day 14. The egg lives for 24 hours or less. If fertilized, it takes another 5-6 days to travel through the fallopian tube and implant in the uterus. You’re officially pregnant around day 21.

Predicting Ovulation

With only one day to fertilize an egg, it’s crucial to know when ovulation occurs. Here are some methods to predict ovulation:

• Calendar Tracking: Mark the start of your period for several months. Ovulation usually occurs 14 days before your period, regardless of cycle length. Apps can help track and alert you when you’re most fertile.
• Cervical Mucus: Notice changes in cervical mucus. It becomes clear and slippery, like egg whites, right before ovulation. After ovulation, it usually dries up.
• Basal Body Temperature (BBT): Measure your body temperature first thing in the morning. BBT slightly rises during ovulation. Special thermometers can help detect this change.
• Ovulation Test Kits: These tests check urine for hormones that increase before ovulation. Testing daily for 5-10 days in the middle of your cycle can help identify your fertile window.
• Fertility Monitors: Electronic devices can track your temperature or hormone levels to predict ovulation.

Sex and Conception

A common question for couples trying to conceive is how often to have sex. Frequent intercourse increases your chances of pregnancy. Sperm can live up to five days inside the uterus, while an egg survives about a day after release. For best results, have sex every other day starting after your period or the week before ovulation. Having sex at least 2-3 times a week ensures sperm is present when the egg is released.

Birth Control and Conception

After stopping birth control, it’s possible to get pregnant immediately. The artificial hormones leave your system quickly, though it may take a few months to ovulate regularly. It’s safe to conceive right away, but pinpointing conception and due dates can be challenging without a period.

Signs of Pregnancy

Implantation occurs around day 21 of your cycle. Early signs of pregnancy include:

• Missing your period
• Fatigue
• Sore or swollen breasts
• Frequent urination
• Nausea
• Cramping or spotting
• Moodiness

Pregnancy Tests

Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), a hormone produced by the placenta, builds up in your system about 11-14 days after conception, resulting in a positive pregnancy test. A doctor’s blood test can detect pregnancy slightly earlier.

Pregnancy for Transgender or Nonbinary Individuals

Gender-affirming therapy doesn’t preclude pregnancy if you have a uterus and ovaries. Stopping testosterone allows normal ovulation to resume, though it may take months. It’s crucial to stop testosterone before attempting to conceive due to risks to the unborn baby.

Health Care and Emotional Support

Finding a supportive healthcare team is essential for a healthy pregnancy. Seek referrals from your doctor, friends, advocacy groups, or insurance company. Ensure your provider is experienced with trans or nonbinary patients and respects your gender identity. Emotional health is equally important, so consider additional support from family, friends, or a therapist.

Breast/Chestfeeding

Discuss with your doctor the feasibility of breastfeeding if you’ve had chest reconstruction surgery. If you plan to resume testosterone therapy post-delivery, be aware it can inhibit milk production and transfer to your baby through breast milk.

By understanding your cycle, predicting ovulation, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle, you can improve your chances of getting pregnant. Seek medical advice and emotional support as needed to navigate your journey to parenthood.