How to Get Pregnant Fast
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Medically reviewed by Peter Weiss, MD
You may want to get pregnant fast due to your medical history, age-related risks, or eagerness to start a family. There is no standard amount of time it takes to get pregnant; every person is different.
For those trying to get pregnant, it typically happens within a year of consistent, unprotected sex during ovulation. You can increase your chances of pregnancy by having sex regularly, tracking ovulation, managing stress, and living a healthy lifestyle.
Learn about how to get pregnant quickly, medical conditions that make it more challenging, and what partners can do.
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Is It Possible to Get Pregnant Fast?
It is possible to get pregnant quickly. Some people get pregnant the first time they ever have sex. About 30% of people get pregnant within a month of trying to conceive, and about 80% get pregnant within six months.
Many factors can impact how long it takes to get pregnant, including your age and medical history. Knowing what to do to increase the odds can help.
How to Increase Odds of Getting Pregnant Fast
Though you can't control every factor that impacts your fertility, there are things you can do to increase your odds of becoming pregnant. Your overall health is important, so consider lifestyle changes that promote health.
Managing stress and eating a nutrient-dense diet can improve your chances of conceiving. Because it is only possible to get pregnant a few days per month, timing is important, too.
Cycle Tracking
Cycle tracking, also known as fertility tracking, predicts the days you are most likely to become pregnant based on your menstrual cycle. Some people refer to these days as your "fertile window."
The first day of your menstrual period is considered day one of your cycle. For people with a 28-day cycle, the fertile days would be days 7 through 15. However, these days are not exact. Many cycles are longer or shorter than 28 days, which impacts the fertile window.
Tracking your ovulation and having sex during your fertile window can increase your chances of getting pregnant quickly.
Research has found that cycle-tracking apps do not accurately predict fertility days. Though they can help track patterns, don't rely on them too much.
How to Track Ovulation
There are various ways to track your ovulation and determine your most fertile days each month. The most common techniques for tracking ovulation include:
At-home ovulation test strips
Counting days starting with the first day of menstruation
Measuring and tracking your basal body temperature
Tracking cervical mucus changes
Healthy Lifestyle
Having excess weight or being underweight can make getting pregnant more difficult. It is essential to eat enough nutritious foods without overeating. You should also aim to avoid sugar and processed foods. Regular physical activity can help increase fertility, while too much intense exercise without proper nutrients and recovery can stress the body and prevent pregnancy.
Caffeine, alcohol, cigarettes and tobacco, marijuana, and certain drugs can interfere with fertility. Certain environmental toxins in everyday household products can make getting pregnant harder. Avoid these substances when you are trying to get pregnant.
Related: How to Get Pregnant: Tips to Increase Your Fertility
Manage Stress
Increased stress is linked to infertility. Many things in life can lead to stress, and fertility challenges top the list for many people. Find ways to reduce and manage stress throughout the day to avoid escalating it. If you're feeling stressed, try one or more of the following activities for stress management:
Spend time in nature
Talk with supportive friends or family members
Journal or practice gratitude
Practice relaxation exercises
Do yoga or tai chi
Meditate
Make time for hobbies
Research has shown that people experiencing infertility may benefit from stress management and other psychological support during fertility treatment.
Conditions That Make It Harder: Tips for Getting Pregnant
A healthcare provider may diagnose you with infertility if you have been trying to get pregnant for one year unsuccessfully. Infertility affects about 1 in 6 people. Even when you do everything you can to get pregnant quickly, it still may not happen as quickly as you had hoped.
Some medical conditions make it harder to get pregnant. One of the most common causes of infertility is the absence of ovulation, occurring in 40% of women who do not get pregnant within the first year of trying. This can happen as a natural part of the aging process as a woman approaches perimenopause and menopause or with medical conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
Male Conditions
Conditions that affect male fertility include:
Low or no sperm production
Abnormal sperm function
Varicocele (varicose veins around the testes)
Hormone disorders
Chromosome abnormalities
Conditions present at birth
Immune system problems
Female Conditions
Conditions that affect female fertility include:
Ovulation problems
Anatomical problems
Endometriosis
Conditions present at birth
Infection
Immune system problems
If you are experiencing infertility, it is important to seek the care of a healthcare professional, such as an OB-GYN, urologist, or fertility specialist. They can help determine the cause of infertility and diagnose and treat any possible health concerns.
Challenges for LGBTQ+ People
People who require assistance becoming pregnant, especially those in the LGBTQ+ community who often use in vitro fertilization (IVF), donor-assisted reproduction, or gestational carriers, may experience more challenges and delays in becoming pregnant.
For Partners: How to Get Your Partner Pregnant Fast
The sexes share many modifiable factors that can impact fertility, such as stress, nutrition, and exercise. Any necessary lifestyle changes can be made together.
Additionally, partners can help to support the person trying to get pregnant by reducing stressful responsibilities or situations, making themselves available for conversations, providing healthy meals, learning more about fertility, and encouraging measures that increase the odds of getting pregnant.
Summary
The reasons for wanting to get pregnant fast are personal, though some common reasons are concerns about age-related risks or an eagerness to start a family. Maintaining a healthy weight, exercising regularly, getting enough rest, managing stress, and eating a nutrient-dense diet can help increase your chances of getting pregnant.
Tracking your menstrual cycle and predicting fertility days can help to determine the best days to have sex to optimize your chances of becoming pregnant. If you don't get pregnant within a year of trying, talk to a healthcare provider to determine the cause of your challenges and offer treatment options.
