Pregnancy happens when sperm enters a vagina, travels through the cervix and womb to the fallopian tube and fertilises an egg.
You’re more likely to get pregnant around the time you are ovulating. This is when an egg becomes ready and you are at your most fertile.
If you are under 40 and have regular sex without using contraception, there is an 8 in 10 chance you will get pregnant within 1 year.
How to increase chances
There are things both you and your partner can do to increase the chances of getting pregnant.
If you’re trying to get pregnant it’s important to take folic acid every day, eat a healthy diet, and drink no more than 1 to 2 units of alcohol once or twice a week. This will help your baby develop healthily.
Find out more about how to increase your chances of getting pregnant and when to see your GP.
Getting pregnant if you have a mental health condition
If you are someone who experiences mental health problems, or you have a history of mental health problems, being pregnant can increase your risk of becoming unwell again.
Severe mental health problems such as psychosis, schizophrenia or bipolar affective disorder increase your risk of becoming seriously unwell in pregnancy or the postnatal period.
The 2 main types of treatment for mental health problems in pregnancy are talking therapies and medication; however, many people find they need both talking therapy and medication to support their mental health.
If you take medication while you’re pregnant your doctor will explain how this may affect your baby. Try not to worry – you’ll be offered the safest medication at the lowest effective dose to support you. It may be necessary to increase the dose of your medication in pregnancy due to the changes to the body that occur with pregnancy. This means that your normal dose of medication may be less effective in pregnancy. Often you can reduce your medication once you have had your baby.
Everyone’s mental health journey is different, but whatever happens, you will have a team of people supporting you. This may include midwives, GPs and mental health specialists.
For more information, read the charity Tommy's advice on pregnancy and mental health.
Struggling to conceive
Around 1 in 7 couples may have difficulty conceiving.
About 84% of couples will conceive naturally within a year if they have regular unprotected sex (every 2 or 3 days).
For couples who have been trying to conceive for more than 3 years without success, the likelihood of getting pregnant naturally within the next year is 1 in 4, or less.
Some people get pregnant quickly, but for others it can take longer. It's a good idea to see a GP if you have not conceived after a year of trying.
Women aged 36 and over, and anyone who's already aware they may have fertility problems, should see their GP sooner.
They can check for common causes of fertility problems and suggest treatments that could help.
Infertility is usually only diagnosed when a couple have not managed to conceive after a year of trying.
The number of LGBT+ people becoming parents is increasing.
LGBT+ people have as much right to be parents as everyone else and there are more ways than ever for LGBT+ people to become parents.
The main options are assisted reproduction (fertility treatment), adoption/fostering, surrogacy, and co-parenting arrangements. LGBT+ people may also become parents through informal arrangements or becoming a stepfamily, or have children from previous relationships. These are all types of LGBT+ family.
If you're thinking about having children, you can read more information around the
various routes to parenthood if you are LGBT+ that are available.
