Deciding to get pregnant is exciting, but it can also be confusing. As you get ready to embark on the journey toward motherhood, you may have lots of questions. Here are some of the most frequently asked questions with answers that are sure to help.

Question #1 - How long will it take me to get pregnant?
There is no definitive answer to this. Some women conceive the first month they try and for other women it takes many months, and, in some cases, years.

Question #2 - How often do I need to have sex in order to get pregnant?
It is best to have intercourse every 48 hours during the time of your monthly cycle when you are most likely to conceive. Too much sex can be detrimental to sperm counts, so that is why 48 hours is an acceptable frequency.

Question#3 - When during my cycle should I be having sex?
Ovulation is the time in a woman's cycle when an egg is released from the ovary and travels through the fallopian tube. It is during the predicted time of ovulation that you should be having intercourse.

Question #4 - How can I determine when I'm ovulating?
If you have regular menstrual cycles, you can use a calendar to determine when you ovulate, which is usually 10 to 14 days after the start of your period. If you have irregular cycles, tracking basal body temperature or cervical mucus is a way of determining ovulation. You can also purchase ovulation kits that test urine to predict ovulation.

Question #5 - How long do I need to be off birth control before I can get pregnant?
You need to be off the birth control pill long enough for you to begin ovulating. For some women, ovulation begins again within a few weeks of stopping the pill, but for others, ovulation begins again within a few months. As long as ovulation has begun, you potentially get pregnant.

Question #6 - How soon after intercourse will a home pregnancy test tell me whether or not I am pregnant?
The home pregnancy tests on the market give conflicting answers to this question. Ultimately, a home pregnancy test will be the most accurate seven days after the day you were supposed to get your period.

Question #7 - Is it okay to be exercising when I'm trying to get pregnant?
Normal, moderate exercise is fine when you are trying to conceive. In fact, it is good to exercise normally. However, extreme and extended amounts of exercise can cause you to stop ovulating, which will definitely prevent pregnancy.

Question #8 - Is it okay to smoke or drink when I'm trying to get pregnant?
It is never okay to smoke or drink when you are trying to get pregnant. First of all, tobacco and alcohol can have adverse effects on that body that will prevent conception. But, should you get pregnant while smoking or drinking, those drugs could harm the baby you are carrying. Stay away from tobacco, alcohol, and all illegal drugs.

Question #9 - What are the best intercourse positions for getting pregnant?
You can get pregnant using any position, but the position with the woman on her back and the man on top is thought to give a greater probability of the sperm traveling up to the fallopian tube.

Question #10 - How long should I wait before seeing a fertility specialist?
Obstetricians will tell you that you should be actively trying for a year to get pregnant before you consider seeking fertility help.