How many days before and after ovulation are you fertile

How Ovulation Works

The key to getting pregnant (or preventing pregnancy) is to understand your ovulation cycle. Ovulation is when a mature egg is released from one of the ovaries, which usually takes place near the 14th day of a 28-day cycle. However, the 14th day is only an average. In reality, a woman with a 28-day cycle may ovulate one of the days between the 11th and 21st cycle day (the first day of your period is cycle day 1). We call these 10 days your “fertility window.”

As a woman, it is important that you keep track of your cycle; otherwise, it is nearly impossible to know when you are most likely to ovulate. A typical cycle is measured by the first day of your period to the first day of your next period, with the average being 28-32 days. If you are like me, this isn’t always cut in stone. Everybody is different. Discover your Fertility Window in seconds with the APA ovulation calendar.

Ovulation is a delicate hormonal process of the female reproductive system governed by five main hormones. Each hormone triggers one another, coordinating the development and release of an egg from the ovaries.

This is a simple yet complex process that creates a monthly cycle.
Three hormones are produced in the brain, the Gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH). While the other two hormones estrogen and progesterone, are made in the ovaries.

Pregnancy After Ovulation

Getting pregnant after ovulation is possible, but is limited to the 12-24 hours after your egg has been released. Cervical mucus helps sperm live up to 5 days in a woman’s body, and it takes around 6 hours for active sperm to reach the fallopian tubes. If the sperm is there when or shortly after an egg is released, you can quickly become pregnant in the day after ovulation.

What Affects Ovulation?

Our bodies are programmed to function like self-healing machines. However, every person has a different genetic makeup and is exposed to different environmental factors. Both genetics and outside factors may affect these reproductive hormone levels, which can impact your chance to conceive. If you believe you are facing infertility, remember that you have options and that you are not alone.

According to a survey taken in 2015 by the Reproductive Medicine Associates of New Jersey,

There has been a 65% increase in IVF since 2003.

Some environmental factors that affect ovulation:

• Stress can play a big role in ovulation irregularities. Practice stress-relieving exercises like deep breathing, gentle exercise, stretching, yoga, meditation, and positive affirmations.
• A healthy and balanced diet is another big factor. If your dietary needs are not being met, your hormones and ovulation can be affected.
• Chemicals in our environment have a large effect on how our bodies work. According to a study published in 2003 by Environmental Health Perspectives, “industrial compounds can decrease a couple’s ability to have children by up to 29%”.

Do You Need Help?

Every pregnancy is a blessing of a new life. Whether you are trying to conceive or attempting to avoid getting pregnant, knowing more about ovulation and your cycle can be extremely helpful.

No matter the situation you may be facing, you are NOT ALONE. Everyone has a different story, yet many of us have similar circumstances. Together we can help each other gain understanding and strength!

If you want to pin down the day that you ovulate, it is a good idea to purchase some ovulation predictor kits (OPKs). These are tests similar to a urine pregnancy test, but instead of testing for the pregnancy hormone (hCG), they test for other hormones that peak at the time of ovulation. If you are trying to conceive, these OPKs can be very helpful so that you know the best time to plan intercourse.

If you think you are having symptoms of pregnancy, check out our article on the signs of pregnancy.

If you are wondering when you can take a pregnancy test, the American Pregnancy Association suggests waiting until the first day of your expected period. The best time to test is in the morning, with the first morning’s urine. This is when the urine should be the most concentrated and most able to give you a correct response.

Want to Know More?

• Ovulation: Frequently Asked Questions
• Ovulation Kits and Fertility Monitors
• How to Get Pregnant

Timing is everything

If you’re trying to fall pregnant, the timing of when you and your partner have sex is critical. Our new online calculator will help you understand your Fertile Window - so you know the best time to have sex to give you the highest chance of conceiving.

When am I most fertile?

The most fertile time in your cycle are the days leading up to ovulation, before the egg is released from the ovary.  After ovulation the egg survives for just 24 hours, while sperm retain fertilising capability for two to three days in the fallopian tubes.   For this reason, we recommend that couples have sexual intercourse every two days throughout the females Fertile Window.  This means that sperm are ready and waiting for the egg when the female ovulates.  If you wait until after the female has ovulated before you have sex, you will most likely have missed the opportunity for conception that month.

When does conception take place?

Conception starts at the moment of fertilisation, when the sperm penetrates the outer shell of the egg, and an embryo is formed. Over the next four to six days the embryo moves down the fallopian tube to the uterus, where it implants in the uterus lining and hopefully continues to grow. To check if you are pregnant, you should wait two weeks after ovulation before undertaking a pregnancy test.

Calculate Your Fertile Window

To calculate your Fertile Window, you need to determine what day you ovulate.To do this, you need to know the length of your menstrual cycle (which tends to vary from 23 to 35 days). To calculate this – you should note how many days have passed from the first day of bleeding in your last period, to the first day of bleeding in your next.From this figure, subtract 14 days from the end of your current cycle to determine the day you ovulate.If you have irregular menstrual cycles, or your cycle length varies from month to month, it will be difficult to calculate your ovulation date. Ovulation urine tests may be useful, and you should consider seeking further advice from your GP or a Fertility Specialist.

How long should I try for, before seeking specialist advice?

Conception is a complicated sequence of events because all of the following need to be in place for it to occur:

• Regular egg production by the ovaries (ovulation)
• Healthy sperm, with the ability to move (motility) and the correct shape (morphology)
• Unblocked and healthy fallopian tubes and uterus

The number one factor affecting a couple’s chances of conceiving is the woman’s age. The number of healthy eggs a woman’s ovaries contain will dramatically decline with age; and especially for women over 35. Most people start to consider seeking professional advice after six months of trying to conceive naturally without success. This is even more important if you’re over 35.

Want to know more?

If you’re keen to know more about the menstrual cycle, read about female reproduction….

If you’d like to consult with a Fertility Specialist about irregular periods and ovulation, or difficulties conceiving naturally, then please contact us.

How many days after ovulation can you get pregnant?

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