You may have heard that pregnancy can only happen on one specific day each month. The reality is less exact. An egg has a short window in which it can be fertilized, but sperm can remain in the reproductive tract for days. As a result, pregnancy can occur from sex that happens before you actually ovulate.

If you’re asking this question because you’ve recently had sex or your period is late, schedule a free, confidential appointment with 1st Choice for Women today for a pregnancy test and answers to your questions. And read on to learn more about when you’re most likely to get pregnant.

Start With Ovulation, Not Your Period

Ovulation is the point in your menstrual cycle when an ovary releases an egg. Once released, the egg remains available for fertilization for approximately 12 to 24 hours.

Sperm last considerably longer. They may survive in the female reproductive tract for up to about five days.

Imagine that you have sex on a Monday but don’t ovulate until Wednesday. Sperm from Monday may still be present when the egg is released. Pregnancy could therefore occur even though sex and ovulation didn’t happen on the same day.

Which Days Have the Highest Chance of Pregnancy?

The days leading up to ovulation and the day of ovulation generally offer the greatest chance for conception. This stretch of days is known as your fertile window.

The exact dates are different for every woman and can even change from one menstrual cycle to another.

This is one reason counting days on a calendar has limitations. While ovulation often occurs around the middle of a cycle, your cycle length and the timing of ovulation can vary.

Your Body May Give You Some Clues

There are certain signs to look out for as ovulation approaches. For example, some women notice that their cervical mucus changes, becoming clear and slippery. Ovulation predictor kits can detect a rise in luteinizing hormone before ovulation, while basal body temperature tracking can help identify when ovulation has already occurred.

Period-tracking apps can be useful for recording patterns, but their predictions are estimates. An app can’t know exactly when your ovary releases an egg.

Think You May Already Be Pregnant?

If your question about fertility comes after sex, pay attention to when your next period is due. The day after your missed period is a good time to take a pregnancy test.

If you’ve already received a positive home result or aren’t sure when to test, schedule a free, confidential appointment with 1st Choice for Women. You can receive a lab-quality pregnancy test and learn more about your pregnancy before making any decisions.