How to Get Pregnant After Trying for 1 Year

Trying to become pregnant may take some time. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, 85 percent of healthy couples who are regularly sexually active will become pregnant within one year of trying. However, this may not always be the case. Getting pregnant after trying for one year may be as simple as timing intercourse to a woman's best fertile days, or it may involve exploring hormones and the balances that govern the reproductive system with a doctor.

Things You'll Need

  • Chart or calendar
  • Basal body temperature thermometer
  • Ovulation predictor kit (optional)

Instructions

    • 1

      Begin practicing natural family planning. This method involves charting your basal body temperature and cervical signs to determine when your most fertile days occur, allowing you to time intercourse to the correct point in your cycle.

      Start charting on the first day of your menstrual period, taking a basal body temperature reading each morning before you get out of bed. Basal body temperature is used to confirm rather than predict ovulation; your body temperature will rise and remain high for the rest of the cycle after ovulation occurs.

      Also examine your cervix each day. As the cycle progresses, the cervix will rise, become softer, and the opening will increase. The most fertile days are at the peak of these changes, when the cervix is the softest, highest and most open. The cervix also produces mucus that will indicate fertility--a woman is most fertile when her cervical mucus is abundant, clear and stretches easily when pulled. Time intercourse to these fertile days.

    • 2

      Use an ovulation predictor kit to determine when ovulation occurs. These kits measure the amount of luteinizing hormone in the urine. Luteinizing hormone peaks just before ovulation, causing a positive result on the ovulation predictor. Time your intercourse to the days surrounding this positive result for the best chance of conception.

    • 3

      Visit your doctor to discuss your fertility. Your doctor can check for hormone imbalances and physical problems, such as ovarian cysts or problems with sperm, that may affect your chances of becoming pregnant. Simple bloodwork may be performed along with a sperm analysis. If any factor comes back compromised, your doctor may discuss fertility medications or treatments to assist in conception.

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