Chances of getting pregnant week after period

Many people have only a vague understanding of a woman’s menstrual cycle and when she is most likely to get pregnant.

For people trying for a baby, it helps to know when a woman is most fertile and when to have sex to increase their chances of having a baby.

Knowing when’s the right time

When a woman ovulates, an egg is released from the ovary and if there is sperm waiting around at that time there is a good chance that it will be fertilised and grow into a baby over the next nine months.

Ovulation happens about 14 days before a period starts, but women’s menstrual cycles are not all the same length. To work out the day of ovulation, it helps to know how to count the days in a menstrual cycle. A cycle is counted from the first day of one period to the day before the next period. So, the day a woman’s ovulation occurs depends on the length of her cycle.

Conception is possible during the ‘fertile window’ – the five days leading up to, plus the day of ovulation. There is even more chance of a woman becoming pregnant if she has sex during the two days leading up to or on the day of ovulation.

Women who have a period every 28 days will ovulate around day 14 and their best chance of conceiving is between days 11 and 14. For a woman whose cycle is 24 days, ovulation happens around day 10 and her most fertile days are between days 7 and 10, while someone who has a 35 day cycle will be most fertile between days 18 and 21.

Noticing when it’s the right time

A woman’s body goes through changes at different stages of her cycle. Knowing how it changes when ovulation is approaching can be really helpful. A few days before ovulation the vaginal mucus changes and becomes clear and slippery – a bit like egg white and perfect for sperm to swim along! When you notice this change, it’s time for sex.

Getting technology involved

For people who want to be precise about things, an ovulation predictor kit, available at any pharmacy or supermarket, can be useful.

A few days before she thinks she will be ovulate, a woman can test her urine. When the test turns positive it means that ovulation is likely to occur in the next 24-36 hours which means it’s time for sex.

If all this seems too hard, then the best thing to do is to have sex every two to three days to cover all bases and to increase the chance of conceiving. This might also be the best approach for women whose cycles are not regular.

So, armed with this new information, for those of you who are trying to have a baby, get ready for the next fertile window and good luck.

Pregnancy Timing Ovulation Fertility Conceiving

Can You Get Pregnant if You Have Sex During Your Period?

Most likely you will not get pregnant having sex while on your period. That’s because your ovulation time is several days away decreasing any chances of getting pregnant during this time. However, there are exceptions. This applies to women who have a typical 28 to 30 day or longer cycle. If you have a shorter cycle, say every 21 to 24 days, that means you are ovulating earlier in the cycle. Because sperm can live inside you for up to 5 days, you could have sex towards the end of your period and then conceive 4 or 5 days later with your early ovulation.

The probabilities of getting pregnant during your period are low, but the possibilities are there. This is not the time to have sex if you are trying to get pregnant.

Can You Get Pregnant Right After Your Period?

You are moving into your fertility window, so yes, you can get pregnant right after your period. On a typical cycle that occurs every 28 to 30 days, the fertility window is usually between Day 11 and Day 21.  Remember, sperm can live up to 5 days. If your period (bleeding time) lasts for 5 to 7 days, and you have sex right after that, you are approaching your fertility window.

Can You Get Pregnant on the Last Day of Your Period?

If you stop bleeding on Day 6, have sex on Day 7 and ovulate on Day 11, it’s possible the sperm from Day 6 will be waiting in your fallopian tubes for conception. Your chances of conceiving right after your period increase each day after your bleeding has stopped. If you are trying to conceive this is a good time to have sex. Increase your chances of conception by having sex every other day for the next 14 days.

What About Right Before Your Period?

The likelihood of getting pregnant right before your period is extremely low. For women with a typical 28- to 30-day cycle or longer and their cycles are regular, it is fairly safe to say your ovulation occurred between Day 11 and Day 21. The egg is only available for 12 to 24 hours for conception.

This means the days right before your period are the safest to have sex without the expectation of getting pregnant. The number of “safe days” right before your period go up with longer cycles and lessen with shorter cycles.

If you wait 36 to 48 hours after ovulation, you should be beyond the possibilities of conception. The further you are from ovulation, the less likely your chance for conceiving. This is not the time to have sex if you are trying to conceive.  It’s still a good time to enjoy intimacy with your partner.

Bottom Line

A woman’s ovulation cycles can vary, so it’s statistically possible you could become pregnant while on your period. While pregnancy is less likely in the earlier days of your period, the chances increase in the later days.

If you’re trying to become pregnant and haven’t conceived after a year or more of having unprotected sex, download our new e-book The Ultimate Fertility Resource Guide. It’s a free download and has the essential information and tips you need to improve your fertility and get pregnant faster.

Want to Know More?

• Track your ovulation cycle with our free Ovulation Calendar
• Tracking Ovulation with Irregular Periods