It starts innocently. You’ve decided it’s time. You stop birth control. You track your cycle. Maybe you light a candle, take your prenatal supplements, drink more water… do the (wink wink)
And then, nothing happens.
One month becomes three. Three becomes eight. Your GP says “Wait a year.” Your friends say “Relax, it’ll happen.” Google says everything and absolutely nothing!
And deep down, you’re wondering:
Is something wrong with me? With us?
Let’s talk honestly about timelines, expectations, and what’s really going on when conception takes longer than expected- especially when you’ve been told your fertility is “fine.”
So, the million dollar question…..How long should it take to get pregnant?
Lets look at the facts.
Statistically:
80–85% of couples conceive within 12 months of trying
60% conceive within the first 6 months
By 18 months, about 90% of couples will be pregnant
These are averages- not guarantees. And most of these stats assume:
You’re tracking ovulation accurately
You’re having regular, well-timed intercourse
You have no known conditions affecting fertility
But here’s what those numbers don’t reflect:
The woman who ovulates late but is told she “missed her window”
The couple with perfect test results who still don’t conceive
The emotional wear-and-tear of not knowing when to worry
When the standard advice isn’t enough
You’ve probably heard this before:
“Try for a year before seeking help.”
But here’s what I say as a top natural fertility practitioner:
That advice is outdated for many women AND men!
It assumes conception is purely mechanical. 10 years in the job and I can tell you it absolutely isn’t mechanical- and if it was IVF success would be so much higher!
It ignores cycle health, inflammation, stress hormones, egg quality, sperm DNA, and emotional readiness.
And it doesn’t help the person who feels in their body that something’s off, even when bloodwork is “normal.”
Do you know how many frustrated couples sit in my clinic just because they don’t feel listened too or taken seriously?!! It’s alot- and I bet if your here, googling late a night looking for answers you probably want to do everything you can and leave no stone un-turned.
What if everything looks “normal” – but you’re still not pregnant?
Welcome to the world of unexplained infertility – a frustrating label given to people when medical testing finds no clear reason for delayed conception.
Here’s what might be missed in that diagnosis:
Luteal phase imbalance (ovulation is happening, but progesterone is suboptimal)
Sperm morphology or DNA fragmentation (not always picked up in standard semen analysis)
Chronic inflammation or gut health issues
Subclinical thyroid or blood sugar issues
Undiagnosed endometriosis (often dismissed if pain is “not severe enough”)
Energetic or emotional blocks (stored trauma, unconscious resistance, ancestral grief)
Ahhh yes, there still quite alot to explore and uncover even if the medical industry wants label you up with something as vague as “oh its unexplained infertility”!
What natural fertility support can uncover
In my practice, we do things differently.
We don’t wait a year. We don’t dismiss your intuition.
We listen to your story – your symptoms, your cycle, your relationships, your past.
Most importantly, you aren’t just a couple moving along a conveyor belt within the NHS, you matter more than just a set of labs and tests that are inconclusive.
We start looking for together:
Patterns in your cycle data (not just when you ovulate, but how your body behaves leading up to it)
Nutritional or environmental influences (that may be subtly affecting hormones)
Nervous system dysregulation (because chronic stress does impact ovulation and implantation)
The emotional weight you’re carrying (grief, pressure, shame, performance anxiety)
Because fertility is never just about ovaries and sperm.
It’s about wholeness – about creating safety, vitality, and trust in your body again.
When should you get help?
If you’re under 35 and have been trying for more than 6 months – it’s worth speaking to someone.
If you’re over 35, it’s better to do so sooner.
If you’re not tracking ovulation and feel confused – start there.
If your gut says “something’s not right,” listen to it.
You don’t have to wait a year.
In fact, you don’t have to wait at all.
Ready to take the first step?
If you’re tired of hearing “just relax” and want real support – grounded, holistic, and human – I’m here.
As a natural fertility practitioner, I specialize in working with women experiencing unexplained infertility, helping them reconnect with their bodies and uncover the silent blocks keeping conception out of reach.
I support couples with natural fertility face-to-face in Exeter and Devon, and further afield online.
Fertility is not a pass/fail test.
It’s a conversation your body is trying to have with you.
To find out more, visit my treatment page.
