[ankita1012]

I have been taking folic acid tablets since 2.5 months. And we have been trying for 4 months. In January, I had my periods 8 days late and I thought that I was pregnant but it wasn't the case. That's when I started taking folic acid as the doctor suggested it would help. I am really scared that whether I would get pregnant or not.

Please guide me through all this. I would like to know what are my chances of getting pregnant and why that particular delay happened as my periods are always regular.

[DoulaLC]

Hi anikta1012,

It is wise that you are taking the folic acid prior to becoming pregnant. I know 4 months seems like a long time without success, but in reality it's not really unusual at all. Most couples will become pregnant within a year of actively trying. Some are fortunate, and it happen very quickly, others will find it takes even a bit longer than a year. For this reason, many doctors will not be concerned with starting any initial fertility testing until after a full year of trying for most women and men.

The delay you had could very well have been just an off cycle. Many women will have one now and then... even if you haven't had it happen before, there obviously has to be a first time for those women who experience it.

Did your doctor discuss ways of helping to determine when you might be most likely to ovulate? These might include BBT (basal body temperature) charting for a few months, ovulation predictor tests, and watching for changes in cervical mucus. While none of these means that ovulation is definitely happening, they can give you a good idea of when your body is preparing for it, thus helping you to get a better idea of when to focus most of your efforts. It is important to keep in mind that not every woman will follow the same ovulation pattern that you may typically read or hear about... 28 day cycle with ovulation occurring on day 14. Most will keep to a fairly regular schedule... often ovulating between 12 and 16 days before a period regardless of how long their cycle may be... but some women will ovulate a bit sooner or later than the average, which can be normal for them.

Both you and your partner should continue with folic acid (good for sperm as well), consider a good multivitamin for insurance, eat well, get some regular exercise, quality sleep, avoiding things that you know are unhealthy, and enjoy the trying. Look into the ways of determining when ovulation may occur for you. Keep in mind that it can take a few months to notice a pattern. If you can have sex about every 2-3 days, you should have the timing covered, but timing is only one factor in becoming pregnant, so try not to get too discouraged if it takes some time.

[ankita1012]

Hi
Thanks for replying to my query.That really helped.
We have been following the pattern of trying at a regular interval of 2-3 days so that we do not miss the ovulation period.
It's just sometimes it becomes disheartening to see everyone around getting the good news and me trying to get one.
Will surely be more positive about it from now on.
Any more and positive info is welcome.
Thanks!