Trying to Conceive: FAQ

For couples having regular unprotected sex, about 85% will conceive within 12 months. Around 92–95% will conceive within 2 years. The average time is 4–6 months for couples under 35.

Your chances per cycle depend heavily on age. Under 30: roughly 20–25% per cycle. Ages 30–35: 15–20%. Ages 35–40: 10–15%. After 40: under 5% per cycle. This is why maximising each cycle matters more as you get older.

Ovulation typically occurs 14 days before your next period - not 14 days after the start of your last period. This only lands on Day 14 if you have a perfectly regular 28-day cycle.

If your cycle is 30 days, you ovulate around Day 16. If it's 25 days, around Day 11. The Ovulation Calculator adjusts for your actual cycle length.

Signs you are ovulating: egg-white cervical mucus (stretchy, clear), a slight rise in basal body temperature (BBT), mild one-sided pelvic ache (mittelschmerz), and a positive ovulation predictor kit (OPK). See the full ovulation signs guide.

The single biggest factor is timing sex in your fertile window - the 5 days before ovulation and the day of ovulation itself. Sperm can survive up to 5 days; the egg lives only 12–24 hours after release.

Read the complete 9 Ways to Boost Fertility Naturally guide for a full breakdown of diet, supplements (CoQ10, inositol, Vitamin D), and lifestyle factors backed by research.

The fertile window is the 6-day period ending on ovulation day - the 5 days before ovulation plus ovulation day itself. This is when having sex can result in pregnancy.

Egg lifespan: 12–24 hours. Sperm lifespan: up to 5 days in fertile-quality cervical mucus. This is why having sex before ovulation (when sperm are already waiting) is more effective than trying to time sex exactly on ovulation day.

The most fertile days are 2 days before ovulation and ovulation day itself. Use the Fertility Window Estimator to identify yours.

The two-week wait (TWW) is the time between ovulation and your expected period - when a pregnancy test would be accurate. Most TWW "symptoms" are actually caused by progesterone, which rises after ovulation whether or not you're pregnant.

Common TWW sensations that do NOT reliably indicate pregnancy: bloating, breast tenderness, mood changes, fatigue, mild cramps. These occur in every cycle due to progesterone.

Implantation bleeding (light pink or brown spotting, 6–12 days after ovulation) occurs in about 25–30% of pregnancies. It's a possible early sign, but many women don't experience it. Read our full TTC guide for more on what to expect.

For the most accurate result, test on the first day of your missed period or later. Most tests are accurate from this point. Testing earlier gives high false-negative rates because hCG levels are still very low.

Early response tests (like Clearblue Early Detection or First Response) can detect pregnancy 5–6 days before a missed period, but a negative result this early does not rule out pregnancy. Always retest if your period is late.

Best time of day to test: first morning urine - hCG is most concentrated. Read the complete When to Take a Pregnancy Test guide for reading results, evaporation lines, and what a positive means next.

A single IVF cycle at a private clinic in Singapore costs S$12,000–18,000 including medication. At a subsidised restructured hospital (KKH or NUH), costs are lower depending on your ward class and citizenship status.

Co-funding applies to married Singapore Citizens and PRs (with SC spouse). MediSave can also be used for up to S$6,000 per cycle. See the full IVF in Singapore guide for eligibility, which clinics qualify, and what to expect from each step.

Male factor infertility accounts for 40–50% of all infertility cases. A semen analysis is a simple, non-invasive test that gives critical information. It should be done concurrently with female testing - not as an afterthought.

Key male fertility factors: sperm count (normal: 15 million/mL+), motility (40%+ moving), and morphology (4%+ normal shape). Lifestyle factors that significantly reduce sperm quality: smoking, alcohol over 14 units/week, heat exposure (hot baths, laptop on lap), obesity, anabolic steroids, and chronic stress.

A semen analysis costs S$80–200 at most fertility clinics and private labs in Singapore. Results take 24–48 hours. See male fertility tips for what to change 3 months before testing (one sperm cycle).

Yes. PCOS is one of the most common and most treatable causes of infertility. Most women with PCOS can and do conceive, though it often takes longer and benefits from medical support.

Lifestyle changes make a significant difference: even a 5–10% reduction in body weight (if overweight) can restart regular ovulation. Inositol supplements (particularly myo-inositol + D-chiro-inositol at a 40:1 ratio) have strong evidence for improving ovulation in PCOS. See our supplements guide.

Medical options for PCOS-related anovulation: letrozole (first-line in Singapore), clomiphene citrate, metformin, ovulation induction injections, and IVF. Your gynaecologist at KKH or NUH can guide which is appropriate based on your specific hormone profile.

Start taking folic acid at least 1 month before you start trying to conceive, and continue through the first trimester. The neural tube closes at around 4 weeks of pregnancy - often before you even know you are pregnant.

Standard dose: 400 mcg/day for most women. High-risk women (previous NTD pregnancy, family history, diabetes, epilepsy on certain medications, BMI over 30) need 5 mg/day - ask your GP for a prescription.

Folic acid in Singapore: available OTC at Guardian, Watsons, and Unity. Many prenatal multivitamins already contain 400–800 mcg. See our Prenatal Vitamins guide for what else to take.