Some couples seem to get pregnant simply by talking about it. For others, it takes patience and a bit of luck. You’re trying to get pregnant and you’re feeling anxious as months one and two have gone by without a positive pregnancy test. The general rule of thumb is that it makes sense to try on your own for six months if you’re over 35, or one year if you are 35 or younger. If you surpassed those milestones, or you have concerns about your fertility or your partner’s, it’s time to see a fertility doctor. If you’re hoping to conceive, don’t leave it to luck. Understand how to get pregnant — starting with predicting ovulation and do’s and don’ts for maximizing fertility.

If you’re looking for tips on how to get pregnant, start the old-fashioned way. Here’s what you need to know — and when to seek help.

Take Prenatal Supplement With Folic Acid
It is recommended that women of childbearing age take folic acid daily. Folic acid is critical to the health of your growing fetus, preventing birth defects of the brain and spine. And a recent study indicated that folic acid may reduce the risk of autism.

Figure Out When You Ovulate
The biggest secret to getting pregnant faster, is knowing when you ovulate (release an egg from your ovary). Find out when you’re likely to ovulate – and boost your chances of conceiving. Since most women release an egg once each menstrual cycle, there are only a few days out of each cycle when sex can actually lead to pregnancy.

You can figure out when you ovulate using a few different methods. If you notice that you have irregular periods over the course of several months, pinpointing ovulation could be difficult. Ask your doctor for advice.

Get Busy At The Right Time
Once you know when your egg will be released from your ovary, you can plan to have sex during your most fertile days: from three days before ovulation through the day of ovulation. (Starting a little sooner can’t hurt; some women have gotten pregnant from sex that happened six days before they ovulated.)

You have a range of days for baby-making sex because sperm can survive for five to six days in your body (Your egg survives for only about a day). That means if you have sex on Monday, sperm can survive in your fallopian tubes, waiting for an egg to float by, until around Thursday – or maybe even as late as Sunday.

If you’re not sure when your fertile period will be, here’s an easy rule of thumb: Hit the sheets every other day. Having sex this often means you’ll have healthy sperm waiting in your fallopian tubes every day, ready to spring into action whenever your egg gets released.

Clean Up Your Act
You’ve heard it before but it bears repeating. Stop smoking, reduce alcohol consumption, and reduce caffeine intake. A healthier you will lead to an easier time getting and staying pregnant.

Check Your Vaginal Health
Some vaginal infections are asymptomatic and can go undetected – and certain infections, if untreated, can lead to pregnancy complications such as preterm labor. Before trying to conceive, make sure you’re in the clear with the Preconception Health Test, which can detect an elevated vaginal pH level, which can signify an infection. It’s as accurate as a doctor’s test, and easy to use.

Maintain A Healthy Weight
A healthy diet and regular exercise (just 30 minutes of walking a day) can lower your body mass index (BMI), improve symptoms related to polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) and increase your chances of getting pregnant and delivering a healthy baby.