What are the chances of becoming pregnant when you have intercourse on an ovulation day?
What is ovulation?
Ovulation is the release of a single, mature egg from a follicle that developed in the ovary. The time of ovulation within the menstrual cycle is determined by the luteal phase, which is usually 12 to 16 days long. Ovulation usually occurs regularly, around day 14 of a 28-day menstrual cycle. Once released, the egg is capable of being fertilized for 12 to 48 hours before it begins to disintegrate. This is the most fertile period of your cycle and during ovulation your chances of getting pregnant are highest.
Why are my chances of getting pregnant highest during ovulation days?
Technically, a girl can get pregnant at anytime after puberty. Some women have even gotten pregnant while on their period, though this is not common. In general, your fertile period in the month starts about 4-5 days before ovulation, and ends about 24-48 hours after it. This is because sperm can live in your body for approximately 4 to 5 days, and the egg can live for 24 to 48 hours after being released. Since the egg cannot survive for more than a day, this is the fertile window available to you to attempt getting pregnant.
And if you have intercourse before or right on the day of ovulation the sperms can stay alive in your reproductive system and be available to the egg after ovulation. This greatly increases the probability of you getting pregnant. Your chances of conception are highest on the day before and the day of ovulation.
If you have intercourse near or right at the time of ovulation, no doubt you will increase your chances of getting pregnant. In normally fertile couples there is a 25 percent chance of getting pregnant each cycle, meaning around 75 to 85 percent of women who have sex without using birth control will get pregnant within one year. Knowing your fertile days and the cyclic hormonal and physical changes that take place in your body each month can help you increase your chances of getting pregnant.
How can I know when will I ovulate?
There are many physical signs that can indicate that you may ovulate soon. You may experience
- Increased vaginal discharge
- Breast tenderness
- Lower abdominal discomfort-about 20% of women feel discomfort or pain in their lower abdomen as the egg leaves the ovary. This condition is known as 'mittelschmerz', and it usually lasts from a few minutes to several hours
- Changes in cervical mucus during ovulation- Prior to ovulation, your cervical mucus is cloudy and thicker, and a few days before ovulation it becomes clear, slippery, and stretchy like raw egg whites.
- Temperature shift in basal body temperature- Immediately following ovulation your body temperature can increase by 0.4 to 1.0 degrees Fahrenheit
Read about how you can use home pregnancy tests and blood pregnancy tests to determine if you are pregnant.
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