There are many factors to be considered when deciding to have a baby, and how long to wait before trying to get pregnant is a decision that is on every prospective parent’s mind. While you will need to think about the timing that is right for your family, it’s important to remember that there are other factors that could influence your ability to get pregnant as easily as possible.

Let’s look at the answers to 5 common questions about getting your pregnancy timing right.

When should you plan to conceive?

Each couple encounters a different degree of difficulty when they try to have a baby. This is often referred to as their “fertility”. It’s commonly seen that as people get older, their fertility lowers. Couples with lower fertility often have a harder time getting pregnant, and age can affect fertility even if there are no other health issues influencing their ability to conceive.

The basic elements of conception, the sperm and egg, are most notably influenced by age. Sperm is often less healthy and able to travel well. A woman’s fertility also often starts to decline around their mid-30s. That means conception is more difficult, takes longer, and there is a higher risk of health problems for the mother and baby.

How soon do most people fall pregnant?

Most healthy, young couples with no fertility issues can expect to fall pregnant within a year’s time. Factors unrelated to fertility such as stress and frequency of sex can influence how quickly the couple can conceive, and it can take some couples longer than a year even though there are no known issues.

What is a fertility specialist?

Couples who are having trouble falling pregnant by having sex might need the help of a fertility specialist. These specialists try to find out what might be causing any issues with fertility, and help find possible solutions. Healthcare providers can refer you to a fertility specialist if they think you might need some help to fall pregnant.

When should you see a fertility specialist?

Most couples under the age of 35 will not need a referral to a fertility specialist until they have been trying to fall pregnant for at least a year without conceiving.  However, you should not wait a full year for a referral to a fertility specialist if you have another medical condition that might affect your fertility. Start talking to your healthcare provider sooner, as it might take you longer to fall pregnant. If you are over the age of 35, you should not wait longer than six months before getting a referral.

How long should you wait between pregnancies?

Another consideration for people wanting to have more than one child is how long they should wait before becoming pregnant with their next baby. The body should be given time in between pregnancies to recover and fully heal. 18 months is normally the shortest recommended period between pregnancies, but you shouldn’t plan to wait more than 5 years between children. Having a reasonable gap between children helps ensure a healthy pregnancy with reduced chance of fertility problems.

Ideally pregnancy happens easily and within a short space of time, but some people do need some help. You should plan your pregnancy around what is right for your family, but don’t forget to take fertility into consideration. Getting your timing right can help you to have a healthy, safe pregnancy for mother and baby.

Tammy Singh is a freelance writer who is currently based in Australia. Her passion is for writing high-quality, informative content. You can reach her at tammy_singh@outlook.com