A majority of us have been avoiding pregnancy since we first became sexually active. Years of birth control have altered our perception of what it takes to actually conceive. We just assume that the minute we stop taking our birth control we will get pregnant.

It's not that simple and may take time. And when it doesn't happen right away, we find ourselves asking, "How long does it take to get pregnant?" The answer is different for everyone.

How Long Does It Take to Get Pregnant?

Conceiving is a lot like placing a bet on a horse race. We have about a one-in-four chance to get pregnant during our monthly cycle. If both you and your partner are healthy and physically fertile, you may still not become pregnant at the first opportunity. If you play the odds, a perfectly normal couple in their 20s will average around five months, or five cycles, to conceive. Women in their 30s can take a few months longer, about nine months.

The important thing to remember is not to measure yourself against other couples. Some will get lucky and become pregnant right away while other couples can still be trying after a year. More often than not it's just Mother Nature.

Statistics show that for every 10 perfectly health couples, one will take over a year to conceive. For every 20 it takes more than two years. It's important to talk to your doctor before you try to get pregnant to ensure both you and your partner are fertile. We have plenty of information on infertility and ways to get pregnant.

Five Tips To Help You Conceive

• Reduce the amount of caffeine you consume
• Avoid tobacco and recreational drugs
• Avoid alcohol
• Eat healthy
• Have sex as often as possible

There are plenty of ideas out there on how to get pregnant, from old wives’ tales to hard, proven facts. Fortunately for us, science has taught us that there are better ways to try to conceive than sexual positions and funky drink concoctions. Being the healthiest you can be is the most important aspect. It may depend on several lifestyle changes, but you can do it. While our tips don't necessarily guarantee success, they can definitely help.

Allow yourself plenty of time to get pregnant. If you still have not conceived after a year (or after six months if you’re over 35), it may be time to ask your doctor to run some fertility tests on you and your partner. If you find you are not able to get pregnant on your own, we have plenty of information on infertility and how you can still become a parent. There are plenty of options: adoption, sperm donation, surrogacy, IVF, and other medical treatments.