Approximately 75 to 80 percent of couples having unprotected sexual intercourse will become pregnant within a year, according to BabyCenter.com. However, many couples who decide to start trying to conceive want to have their bundle of joy sooner rather than later. Instead of leaving it up to chance, these couples should learn about different ways to make the conception process more effective.
Frequent Sex
Although it seems obvious, sexual intercourse that occurs on a regular basis often results in pregnancy. Having sex sporadically or going without sexual intercourse for a week or two can hurt the chances of conception occurring. Instead, aim to have sex about every two to three days, suggests the Mayo Clinic. This will provide a good chance that enough sperm will be present when ovulation occurs and the woman is at her most fertile. Although no studies have proven that a specific sexual position will increase the likelihood of conception, it may not hurt to consider sexual positions that deposit sperm closest to the cervix, suggests BabyCenter.com. The missionary position, with the man on top, is an example of such a position. Having the woman orgasm during intercourse and then lay down afterward for an extended period may also help but has not been scientifically proven.
Monitoring Fertility Signs
As a woman approaches ovulation, several physical changes occur in her body. Her cervical fluid changes from sticky and white to resemble that of raw egg whites. Her cervix gets softer and higher, and some women may experience an increase in libido, swollen or tender breasts, spotting or slight uterine cramping. Paying attention to these signs can help a woman learn when she is about to be at her most fertile. For those women who have difficulty interpreting their fertility signs, ovulation predictor kits may help. These ovulation kits, also referred to as OPKs, can help a woman identify her LH surge, which indicates that ovulation will be occurring within one or two days when she is at her most fertile. Ovulation predictor kits are available at most drugstores and supermarkets.
Sex Right Before Ovulation
Although having sexual intercourse every couple of days will often result in pregnancy, it can be difficult for couples with hectic schedules to maintain this frequency. Other couples may simply not wish to have sex this often. These couples may be relieved to hear that timing sexual intercourse to take place right before ovulation can also be an effective way of getting pregnant. Although sperm can live for several days inside the woman's uterus, the egg only survives for 12 to 24 hours, explains the American Pregnancy Association. Therefore, having sexual intercourse right before ovulation will enable the sperm to be present when ovulation occurs and increase the likelihood of the sperm finding and fertilizing the egg before it dies.
Medical Intervention
Some couples may have fertility issues that make it difficult to become pregnant on their own. The most effective way for these couples to conceive is to seek medical intervention and treatment for their infertility. Many infertility treatment options are available, depending upon the specific fertility issue. Fertility drugs, artificial insemination and in vitro fertilization are just a few ways a doctor may assist a couple in getting pregnant. Couples who are 35 years old or younger should contact a doctor to discuss infertility treatments after trying unsuccessfully for a year, while those 35 and older may want to seek medical intervention after just six months of unsuccessful trying, suggests the March of Dimes.
