Yes, although it's not very likely. If you have sex without using contraception, you can conceive (get pregnant) at any time during your menstrual cycle, even during or just after your period. You can also get pregnant if you have never had a period before, during your first period, or after the first time you have sex. There's no "safe" time of the
month when you can have sex without contraception and not risk becoming pregnant. But there are times in your menstrual cycle when you're at your most fertile, and this is when you're most likely to conceive. Your menstrual cycle begins on the first day of your period and continues up to the first day of your next period. You're
most fertile at the time of ovulation (when an egg is released from your ovaries), which usually occurs 12 to 14 days before your next period starts. This is the time of the month when you're most likely to get pregnant. It's unlikely that you'll get pregnant just after your period, although it can happen. It's important to remember that sperm can sometimes survive in the body for up to 7 days after you have sex. This means it may be
possible to get pregnant soon after your period finishes if you ovulate early, especially if you have a naturally short menstrual cycle. You should always use contraception when you have sex if you don't want to become pregnant. Page last reviewed: 8 July 2021 If you're hoping to conceive, don't leave it to luck. Know how to get pregnant — starting with predicting ovulation and do's and don'ts for maximizing fertility. By Mayo Clinic StaffSome couples seem to get pregnant simply by talking about it. For others, it takes time. If you're looking for tips on how to get pregnant, here's what you need to know. How to predict ovulationUnderstanding when you're ovulating — and having sex regularly five days before and on the day of ovulation — can improve the odds of conceiving. Ovulation is the process in which a mature egg is released from the ovary. After it's released, the egg moves down the fallopian tube and stays there for 12 to 24 hours, where it can be fertilized. Sperm can live inside the female reproductive tract as long as five days after sexual intercourse under the right conditions. Your chance of getting pregnant is highest when live sperm are present in the fallopian tubes during ovulation. In an average 28-day menstrual cycle, ovulation typically occurs about 14 days before the start of the next menstrual period. However, each person's cycle length may be different, and the time between ovulation and the start of the next menstrual period may vary. If, like many people, you don't have a perfect 28-day menstrual cycle, you can determine the length and midpoint of your cycle by keeping a menstrual calendar. Beyond the calendar, you can also look for ovulation signs and symptoms, including:
You also might want to try an over-the-counter ovulation kit, which can help you identify when you're most likely to ovulate. These kits test your urine for the surge in hormones that takes place before ovulation. Ovulation occurs about 36 hours after a positive result. Maximizing fertility: What to doFollow these simple tips for how to get pregnant:
Also, consider talking to your health care provider about preconception planning. He or she can assess your overall health and help you identify changes that might improve your chances of a healthy pregnancy. Your health care provider will recommend taking folic acid a few months before conception to reduce the risk of spina bifida and other neural tube defects. Maximizing fertility: What to avoidTo improve your odds of conceiving:
Also, talk to your health care provider about any medications you are taking. Certain medications — even those available without a prescription — can make it difficult to conceive. When to talk to a doctorWith frequent unprotected sex, most healthy couples conceive within one year. If you're age 35 or older and you have been trying to conceive for six months or more, or if you or your partner has known or suspected fertility issues, consider consulting with a health care provider. Infertility affects both men and women — and treatment is available. Depending on the source of the problem, your gynecologist, your partner's urologist or your family doctor might be able to help. In some cases, a fertility specialist offers the best hope. Sign up for free, and stay up to date on research advancements, health tips and current health topics, like COVID-19, plus expertise on managing health. To provide you with the most relevant and helpful information, and understand which information is beneficial, we may combine your email and website usage information with other information we have about you. If you are a Mayo Clinic
patient, this could include protected health information. If we combine this information with your protected health information, we will treat all of that information as protected health information and will only use or disclose that information as set forth in our notice of privacy practices. You may opt-out of email communications at any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link in the e-mail. Dec. 11, 2021
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. How many days during your fertile window can you get pregnant?Your fertile window is the five days leading up to ovulation, plus the day of ovulation and the day after ovulation — so about seven days in total. It's important to note that if you have irregular periods and the length of your menstrual cycle varies from month to month, the calendar method won't be accurate for you.
Why am I not getting pregnant during my fertile window?Sometimes women don't ovulate regularly and consistently. Sporadic menstrual cycles can be caused by conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), hormonal imbalances or obesity. Ovulation can also be impacted by excessive exercise, stress or low body weight.
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