Can You Get Pregnant After Ovulation?

When it comes to planning a pregnancy, timing is everything.

Why?

Because after ovulation, an egg can only survive for a maximum of 24 hours, and planning a pregnancy is all about making sure sperm can reach an egg within these 24 hours.  

Read on to learn about why ovulation timing matters, when you’re most likely to get pregnant, and what you can do to maximize your chances of conception. 

Understanding Ovulation and Fertility 

Ovulation is an event during the menstrual cycle where an ovarian follicle ruptures and releases an egg. The egg then travels down one of the uterine tubes toward the uterus. 

The days leading up to ovulation and the day after ovulation are called the ‘fertile window’. This is when the chances of getting pregnant are highest. 

When Does Ovulation Start?

The process of ovulation begins with a surge in luteinizing hormone (LH) toward the end of the follicular phase (i.e. the first half of the menstrual cycle). LH is the key hormone that triggers the body to ovulate. 

What Happens After the LH Surge?

Approximately 12 hours after LH levels reach their peak, an ovarian follicle ruptures. Once ruptured, an egg is released into the abdominal cavity. It then travels to the uterine tubes, where it’s available for fertilization. 

How Long Does Ovulation Last?

Ovulation itself only lasts a few minutes. However, the entire process surrounding ovulation – including the beginning of the LH surge to the release of an egg – lasts approximately 24-36 hours. 

How Long Are Eggs Viable After Ovulation?

After ovulation, an egg can survive in the uterine tube for around 12-24 hours. This is the critical window of time when fertilization can occur. 

If fertilized by a sperm, the fertilized egg (now a zygote) will continue to travel toward the uterus and pregnancy is possible. 

If fertilization does not happen, the egg disintegrates. It is then released with the uterine lining during menstruation. 

The Big Picture: Why the Fertile Window Matters

Even though an egg can only survive (and be fertilized) for around 12-24 hours, you are actually ‘fertile’ for a broader window of time. 

This is the fertile window (sometimes referred to as the ‘fertility window’ or ‘ovulation week’), and it encompasses the five days leading up to ovulation, the day of ovulation, and the day after ovulation. 

The concept of the fertile window is based on two key facts:

• Sperm can survive in the female body for up to five days. This means if you have unprotected sex up to five days before an egg is released, sperm may still be alive and able to reach an egg following ovulation. 

• An egg can survive in the uterine tube for up to 24 hours. This means if you have unprotected sex the day after ovulation, an egg may still be alive and available for fertilization. 

If you are actively trying to conceive (TTC), you should aim to have sex with your partner at least once every other day during your fertile window. This will help maximize your chances of conception. 

Factors Affecting Sperm Survival and Longevity

Under perfect conditions, sperm can live in the female body for up to five days. The following factors can influence the likelihood of sperm surviving the full five days: 

• Sperm Health – this includes the quality, motility (i.e. ability to move), and shape of sperm. Any of these factors can impact sperm longevity. At-home sperm test kits are a helpful tool for assessing sperm health, enabling you and your partner to better understand your chances of conception during the fertile window. 

• Cervical Mucus – an abundance of slippery, stretchy cervical mucus around ovulation can help facilitate the movement and survival of sperm. Sometimes an imbalance in hormones (for example, in cases of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)) can cause cervical mucus to be drier and/or stickier than normal. This can make it more difficult for sperm to survive. 

• Vaginal pH – an imbalance in vaginal pH can create a hostile environment for sperm. Douching, hormone imbalance, certain lubricants, and infections can interfere with the vagina’s natural pH levels. This can make it more difficult for sperm to survive and move throughout the reproductive tract. 

Conception After Ovulation: What’s Possible?

In a 2019 study published by the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, researchers analyzed over 225,000+ menstrual cycles from 98,903 women. 

Based on data collected over five years, researchers found the conception rate to be highest (42%) one day before ovulation. 

After ovulation, the conception rate was 8% (the day after ovulation) and 0% two days after ovulation. 

Why Do Conception Rates Drop After Ovulation?

This research indicates that you have a slightly higher chance of conceiving five days before ovulation than you do the day after ovulation. 

The reason for this comes down to the lifespan of an egg. 

After ovulation, an egg can only survive for a maximum of 24 hours. If sex happens too late, or if a sperm does not reach the egg before it begins to disintegrate, conception cannot happen. This is why conception rates are lower after ovulation compared to before ovulation. 

What Happens If You Have Sex After Ovulation?

If you have sex after ovulation, your partner’s sperm must be able to meet your egg within 24 hours. After 24 hours, the egg will not be viable. 

The tricky part comes down to knowing exactly when you ovulated. While ovulation can be estimated, it’s impossible to narrow it down to the exact hour. This is why it’s worth having regular sex throughout the full fertile window.  

Signs of Ovulation 

It’s easy to see on a chart that conception rates decline after ovulation. So what can you do to make sure you don’t miss it? 

Here are a few biological markers to look for and how they can help with fertility planning. 

Rise in Basal Body Temperature (BBT)

After ovulation, there is a measurable rise in basal body temperature (BBT). BBT is your body’s temperature when it is completely at rest, and it can only be measured with a BBT thermometer. 

On average, BBT measures somewhere between 96-98 F before ovulation and 97-99 F after ovulation. When tracked over time in a calendar or fertility tracking app (like the Mira App), you can spot your body’s natural rise in BBT. You can then estimate the day that ovulation likely occurred, which is the day before the rise in the BBT. 

Confirming ovulation in your current cycle can help you more accurately predict when ovulation will occur in your next cycle. This enables you to plan sex at the right times to maximize your chances of conception. 

Cervical Mucus Changes

In the days leading up to ovulation, you may notice an increase in stretchy/slippery cervical mucus that’s best described as resembling raw egg whites. The role of cervical mucus at this time is to create an environment where sperm can survive and move. 

After ovulation, cervical mucus decreases in volume and may become drier, cloudier, and/or stickier. 

Being mindful of, and even tracking these cervical mucus changes, can help you better understand when your body is at peak fertility. 

Hormonal Changes

Before ovulation, estrogen and LH levels rise while progesterone levels remain low. After ovulation, estrogen and LH levels drop while progesterone levels rise. 

The traditional method for predicting ovulation is with an ovulation test (often advertised as an ovulation predictor kit or OPK). These tests are based on standard hormone thresholds and can help you determine whether or not your LH levels are surging. If LH levels are surging, you can assume that ovulation will occur within the next 24-36 hours. 

To confirm that ovulation actually happened, you used to have to go to the doctor’s office for a blood test. However, it’s now possible to test your progesterone levels at home by measuring PdG — the urine metabolite of progesterone. If PdG levels are continuously elevated, this is a good sign that ovulation occurred. 

Of all the signs and symptoms, tracking your hormonal shifts is the most accurate way to map out your fertile window and pinpoint the day of ovulation. 

What If My Cycle Is Irregular? 

A lot of the TTC advice is based on a 28-day cycle. However, the reality is that only around 16% of women actually have an average cycle length of 28 days. To make matters more complicated, up to 25% of women have an irregular cycle. 

Having an irregular cycle can make it more difficult to predict ovulation, which in turn makes it more difficult to plan a pregnancy. 

For example, if you have PCOS, your baseline LH levels may be elevated – and you may not even have a prominent LH peak. This is why OPKs are not a suitable tool to use for predicting ovulation with PCOS. 

It’s important to remember that just because your cycle is irregular, that doesn’t always mean you won’t be able to get pregnant. It just means you may need a bit more support throughout the TTC process. 

Common strategies and treatments for conceiving with an irregular cycle include:

• Advanced Hormone Monitoring – devices like the Mira Monitor and App can help you identify your unique hormone curves and fertility windows, even if you have an irregular cycle. 

• PCOS Supplements – which can help promote hormone balance and cycle regularity. 

• Medications – such as letrozole or clomiphene to induce ovulation. 

• Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ARTs) – such as intrauterine insemination (IUI) or in-vitro fertilization (IVF). 

Final Thoughts: How to Maximize Your Chances of Conception During Your Fertile Window

Whether you’re planning a pregnancy now or hope to plan one in the future, here’s what you can do to maximize your chances of conception:

• Start tracking your menstrual cycle as soon as possible so that you can identify your fertile window. Fertility tracking apps, BBT thermometers, OPKs, ovulation trackers, and advanced hormone monitors (like Mira) can help! 

• Have regular sex with your partner at least every other day during your fertile window.

• Embrace a fertility-friendly lifestyle by maintaining a healthy weight, eating a balanced diet, taking a prenatal vitamin, and keeping stress levels to a minimum. 

It’s also worth making a pre-pregnancy appointment with your doctor. Your doctor can provide further guidance for planning a pregnancy based on your age and medical history. 

If you have been TTC for at least one year (if under age 35) or six months (if over age 35), you should schedule a follow-up appointment. Your doctor can run further testing to determine why you’re struggling to conceive and advise on suitable fertility treatments, lifestyle changes, and ARTs that may help you conceive. 

Frequently Asked Questions

When are you most fertile?

Fertility is highest during the fertile window, particularly during the 3-4 days leading up to ovulation. 

When do women ovulate?

Ovulation occurs midway through the menstrual cycle. In an average 28-day cycle, ovulation typically occurs on cycle day 14. If you are tracking your LH levels, you can expect ovulation to occur approximately 12 hours after the LH peak. 

When does the ovulation period occur during the menstrual cycle?

The ‘ovulation period’ or fertile window occurs midway through the menstrual cycle. In a standard 28-day cycle, the fertile window would occur on cycle days 9-15.  

Where does fertilization occur?

Fertilization occurs in the uterine tubes.  

Can you get pregnant after ovulation?

Yes. The chances of getting pregnant one day after ovulation are around 8%. 

Can a woman get pregnant 2 days after ovulation?

There is always a chance of pregnancy at any time during the menstrual cycle. However, the chances of conception two days after ovulation are very low. 

Can you get pregnant 3 days after ovulation?

There is always a chance of pregnancy at any time during the menstrual cycle. However, the chances of conception three days after ovulation are very low.