When you’re ready to take the plunge into parenthood, there’s no way to predict exactly how soon you’ll see a positive pregnancy test. If you’re in pretty good health, and having regular sex without birth control, you should expect to conceive in your first year of trying, says Amelia McLennan, MD. She’s a maternal fetal medicine specialist at UC Davis Medical Center. “In general, about half of couples will get pregnant within 6 months, and about 70%-80% will get pregnant within 1 year,” she says. But you and your partner can boost your odds of being parents-to-be by knowing the dos and don’ts of fertility. Set yourself up for success with these guidelines.

Him: Keep Tabs on Your Health Maybe it’s been a while since you’ve gone in for a checkup. Many men, especially younger ones, “still feel kind of invincible, and don’t routinely go to the doctor,” says Michael Eisenberg, MD. He’s director of the Male Reproductive Medicine and Surgery program at Stanford. But there’s a big connection between your overall health and your reproductive health, he says, so making time for a quick health check can go a long way for your fertility. “Good diet, regular exercise, a healthy body weight, better sleep patterns, less stress -- all those things have been correlated with semen quality,” Eisenberg says. Your doctor can help you make any changes you might need to be your healthiest self, as well as address any issues that might be a barrier to baby-making.