The difference between trying to conceive vs not preventing pregnancy might seem subtle, but it shapes everything from daily habits to emotional expectations. Some couples track ovulation with precision. Others simply stop using birth control and see what happens. Both paths can lead to pregnancy, yet they involve different mindsets, time investments, and stress levels. Understanding these approaches helps individuals and couples choose what fits their lives best. This guide breaks down what each method involves, how they differ, and how to decide which one makes sense for your situation.
Key Takeaways
- Trying to conceive involves active tracking, lifestyle changes, and timing intercourse around ovulation, while not preventing means simply stopping contraception without additional effort.
- Couples trying to conceive may get pregnant faster by targeting the three days before ovulation, when conception probability peaks.
- The not preventing approach suits those open to pregnancy but uncomfortable with the stress of tracking cycles and timing.
- Active trying costs more due to ovulation kits, fertility monitors, and supplements, while not preventing has minimal expenses.
- Your timeline, stress tolerance, and health history should guide whether trying to conceive vs not preventing is the right choice for you.
- You can switch approaches at any time—many couples start relaxed and shift to active trying if conception doesn’t happen within several months.
What Does Trying to Conceive Actually Mean?
Trying to conceive (TTC) refers to actively working toward pregnancy. It goes beyond stopping birth control. Couples who are trying to conceive typically take deliberate steps to increase their chances of getting pregnant.
Tracking Fertility Signs
Most people who are trying to conceive track their menstrual cycles closely. They monitor ovulation through methods like:
- Basal body temperature (BBT) tracking – Taking temperature each morning to detect the slight rise that occurs after ovulation
- Ovulation predictor kits (OPKs) – Testing urine for the luteinizing hormone surge that signals ovulation is near
- Cervical mucus monitoring – Observing changes in discharge that indicate fertile days
- Fertility apps – Using software to log data and predict fertile windows
Lifestyle Adjustments
Those trying to conceive often make health changes. They may take prenatal vitamins, reduce alcohol intake, quit smoking, and maintain a healthy weight. Some couples time intercourse around the fertile window, typically five days before ovulation through ovulation day.
Medical Involvement
Trying to conceive sometimes includes preconception checkups. Doctors can identify potential issues early. Some couples seek fertility testing if pregnancy doesn’t occur within six to twelve months.
The TTC approach requires time, attention, and often emotional energy. It represents a clear commitment to becoming pregnant.
Understanding the Not Preventing Approach
The “not preventing” approach takes a more relaxed stance. Couples stop using contraception but don’t actively work toward pregnancy. They let things happen naturally without tracking cycles or timing intercourse.
What This Looks Like
People who aren’t preventing pregnancy simply remove barriers to conception. They stop taking birth control pills, remove IUDs, or stop using condoms. Beyond that, they don’t change much about their routine.
There’s no temperature charting. No ovulation kits. No calendar calculations. Intercourse happens whenever it feels right, regardless of cycle timing.
The Mindset Behind It
This approach often suits couples who feel open to pregnancy but aren’t emotionally invested in a specific timeline. They might think, “If it happens, great. If not, that’s okay too.”
Some choose this path because:
- They want to avoid the stress of active trying
- They’re unsure about their readiness for parenthood
- They prefer to leave conception to chance
- They’ve been trying for a while and need a mental break
Potential Outcomes
Not preventing can still result in pregnancy. Fertile couples who have regular intercourse may conceive within a year. But, without tracking, they might not optimize their timing during fertile days.
This method works well for those comfortable with uncertainty. It removes pressure but also reduces control over the process.
Main Differences Between the Two Approaches
Trying to conceive vs not preventing pregnancy creates distinct experiences. Here’s how they compare across key factors.
Time Investment
Trying to conceive demands daily or weekly effort. Tracking temperatures, monitoring symptoms, and logging data takes time. Not preventing requires almost no additional time commitment beyond stopping contraception.
Emotional Impact
Active trying can bring excitement but also anxiety. Each cycle becomes a two-week wait filled with hope and worry. When periods arrive, disappointment follows. This emotional rollercoaster affects many who are trying to conceive.
Not preventing tends to feel lighter emotionally. Without tracking, there’s less awareness of “failed” cycles. But, some people find the lack of control frustrating.
Conception Timeline
Research suggests that timing intercourse around ovulation increases conception rates. A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that pregnancy probability peaks when intercourse occurs within the three days before ovulation. Couples actively trying may conceive faster by targeting these days.
Those not preventing may take longer simply because they miss optimal timing some months. Random intercourse patterns still lead to pregnancy, just potentially not as quickly.
Cost Differences
Trying to conceive can get expensive. Ovulation predictor kits cost $20–50 per month. Fertility monitors range from $100–300. Preconception supplements and medical visits add up.
Not preventing costs little to nothing once contraception stops.
Knowledge Gained
Active trying teaches people about their bodies. They learn cycle lengths, ovulation patterns, and fertility signs. This information proves valuable whether pregnancy occurs quickly or requires medical help.
Not preventing offers no such education. If conception takes time, couples start from scratch with cycle awareness.
How to Decide Which Approach Is Right for You
Choosing between trying to conceive vs not preventing depends on personal circumstances, goals, and temperament.
Consider Your Timeline
Couples with specific pregnancy goals, like wanting a baby before age 35 or spacing children two years apart, often benefit from active trying. Those with flexible timelines may prefer the relaxed approach.
Assess Your Stress Tolerance
Some people thrive on data and control. They find tracking reassuring. Others feel overwhelmed by charts and apps. Honest self-assessment helps here.
If monthly cycle tracking sounds appealing, trying to conceive fits well. If it sounds exhausting, not preventing might preserve mental health.
Think About Your Partner
Both people should feel comfortable with the chosen approach. Mismatched expectations create tension. Open conversations about preferences, fears, and hopes matter.
Factor in Health History
Women over 35 or those with known fertility concerns might consider active trying. Earlier intervention helps if issues exist. Younger couples with no health concerns have more flexibility to try the relaxed route first.
Allow for Changes
The choice isn’t permanent. Many couples start with not preventing, then shift to active trying after several months. Others do the opposite, stepping back from intense tracking when stress builds.
Listening to emotional responses along the way guides adjustments.