When Am I Most Likely to Get Pregnant?

If you’ve recently had sex and are now wondering about the possibility of pregnancy, you may be googling all kinds of questions to figure out how likely it could be. 

While there’s always a chance of pregnancy, no matter when you have sex, certain times of the month can make it more or less likely.

Keep reading to learn more about how your reproductive system works and when you are most likely to get pregnant.

Your Monthly Cycle

Most reproductive-age women have a menstrual cycle, and some are more regular than others. The average length is 28 days.

During this cycle, your body will release an egg from one ovary, known as ovulation. The egg stays in a fallopian tube for 12-24 hours.

If it’s fertilized by sperm after sex (conception), the fertilized egg will make its way down a fallopian tube and into the uterus, where it will implant and begin pregnancy. 

If the egg is not fertilized during this time, it will dissolve, and eventually, you will have your menstrual period to shed the lining of the uterus and start the cycle over the next month.

Ovulation Timing

Pregnancy depends on the timing of ovulation and sex. An egg and sperm must meet for pregnancy to happen, so you are most likely to get pregnant around ovulation.

Ovulation typically occurs around day 14 in an average 28-day cycle, but this can vary for each woman. This timing means you are most likely to get pregnant around ovulation or about two weeks after the first day of your last period. 

However, the exact timing depends on your unique cycle.

It’s Not Always Straightforward.

If pregnancy was very easy to time and prevent, there would be fewer unexpected pregnancies. However, that’s not the case because timing sex to avoid ovulation isn’t always straightforward.

Sperm can live in the reproductive tract for up to five days, and ovulation is difficult to pinpoint. This fact means you can still conceive five or fewer days after sex if you ovulate during that time.
To assist with or prevent pregnancy, some women use ovulation tests to check for a certain hormone. Others may monitor fertility signs, such as checking basal body temperature or charting cervical mucus changes.

Even with all the checking and fertility awareness, pregnancy is still possible after sex. The best method to fully prevent pregnancy is abstinence.

Do You Think You Might Be Pregnant?

If you think there may be a chance and you’ve missed your period, it’s time to take a pregnancy test. 

Visit Treasure Valley Path for free lab-quality pregnancy testing. If the test is positive, we can offer additional services, such as an ultrasound exam, to collect critical health details.

Why wonder when you can find out for sure? We’re here to help.

Schedule an appointment online today.