How Long Will It Take You To Get Pregnant?
I’m diving into a big question I get all the time: how long is it going to take you to get pregnant?
Spoiler: it might take longer than you think, and you’re definitely not alone if you feel unprepared.
Most People Don’t Know What to Expect
Recently, Resolve polled 1,000 women who were trying to conceive, and the results were honestly eye-opening—but not surprising to me.
Nearly 60% of women said they wished they knew how long it would take to get pregnant before they started trying.
Even more surprising? 77% hadn’t even thought about their ability to get pregnant until they started trying.
That’s why I do what I do. Because getting pregnant isn’t just about “pulling the goalie” and hoping for the best, it’s about understanding your body, your timeline, and your options.
We Plan Everything Except This?
For many people, having a baby is a life goal—one of the biggest. But how often do we approach this goal without a plan?
We spend half our lives trying not to get pregnant. And then suddenly, when we’re ready, it’s like: “Okay, I’m ready now let’s go!”
But we’re not often armed with the data that helps us actually achieve pregnancy in a realistic timeframe.
So, What’s Normal? What’s Too Long?
Let’s talk stats. When we look at the data around getting pregnant, we talk about something called fecundability, the chance of getting pregnant per month.
Here’s how that breaks down by age:
Age 25: ~25% chance of pregnancy per month
Age 30: ~20%
Age 35: ~15%
Age 40: Less than 5%
So yes, it’s a dramatic drop, especially from 35 to 40. And no, it’s not just about running out of eggs. It’s about the quality of those eggs, because they’ve been hanging out in your ovaries your whole life, exposed to the wear and tear of everything you’ve experienced.
Your Eggs Are Like Kindergartners in Line
I love a good analogy, so here’s how I explain egg quality:
Imagine your chromosomes are perfectly lined up, like kindergartners standing in a straight line.
Now ask them to stand there… for 42 years. They’re gonna get out of line, right?
That’s what happens with eggs. And it’s why the chance of finding a genetically normal egg drops as we age.
What Are Your Chances After a Year of Trying?
Here’s another way to look at the numbers: what are the odds you won’t be pregnant after a year?
Under 30: ~80% chance of pregnancy within 1 year
Ages 30–34: ~63%
Ages 35–39: ~50%
So if you’re 31 and someone tells you, “You’re young, just keep trying,” that may not be the best advice. You deserve to know what’s going on with your body.
When Should You Seek Help?
Let’s talk definitions. The medical definition of infertility is:
Trying for 1 year without success if you’re under 35
Trying for 6 months without success if you’re 35 or older
That presumes you’re having regular periods, ovulating, and there are no other obvious signs of reproductive issues like PCOS, endometriosis, or difficulty with intercourse or timing. If you’re having irregular periods, extreme pain, or other known diagnoses, you shouldn’t wait. Come in sooner. Your body is already telling you something’s up.
Infertility Is a Medical Condition
It’s important to remember: infertility is a disease. And sometimes, it’s a sign of something more going on with your health. Getting a workup isn’t just about getting pregnant. It’s about understanding your whole health picture. But because fertility evaluations are technically a screening, you usually have to meet certain criteria before getting tested. Just like we don’t start mammograms or colonoscopies at 25 unless you’re in a high-risk group, fertility workups follow a similar protocol.
You’re Not Alone Even if It Feels That Way
One of the most powerful findings from the survey? 60% of women said they wished they knew how emotionally difficult the journey would be. And 33% said they felt completely alone. That’s heartbreaking, but fixable. Sharing your story. Supporting your friends. Being honest about your experience. These are all ways we can lift each other up and change the narrative.
You Deserve a Game Plan
If growing your family is a goal, then it’s time for a plan. The more you understand your cycle, your age-related chances, and when to seek help, the more empowered you are. I have plenty of videos and resources to help you start tracking ovulation, understanding timing, and navigating your fertility journey. You’re not alone, and you’ve got options.
