I’m often asked how long should a couple try for a baby before seeking our help. We know it can be incredibly frustrating, and worrying, when despite having regular, unprotected sex at what you think are the right times every month, you fail to become pregnant. You start to question your health – is there something wrong with me or is it my partner?
The good news is that you’re probably worrying for nothing. Did you know that an infertility should only be diagnosed if you have been having regular unprotected sex for two years without getting pregnant? Statistics show 95% of couples are able to get pregnant naturally within this time – so it’s more than likely you just need to keep trying.
Advice and help is available whenever you feel the need even if you have been trying for a short while. Many couples actually seek help within the first 12 months and the first point of call is your GP, who will conduct a series of simple tests to see if there is an underlying medical reason why you’re not pregnant.
It’s also reassuring to know that even if a problem comes to light, treatments are available for all forms of fertility. New breakthroughs are happening all the time – think about how new IVF was when it first started. Manchester Fertility’ first IVF baby, born in April 1987, made headlines. Now it’s commonplace.
So if you’re concerned at all about whether you can get pregnant, no matter how long you’ve been trying, see your GP. And relax… remember that stress levels cannot affect your fertility unless you lose or gain too much weight and your periods disappear and you stop ovulating.
Last updated: 3rd February 2010
