A common question for many trying to conceive and even some who do not wish to conceive any time soon is, “When can you get pregnant?” Of course, conception is possible at any time you are having sex.  Even with birth control, condoms, and the other methods of protection, the only time you can truly keep from getting pregnant is by practicing abstinence. But if you are asking because you want to get pregnant it is best to understand a female’s body and the way conception works on both sides.

First it is best to understand ovulation. Ovulation, in technical terms is when a female’s body produces and discharges an egg from an ovary. This is the process in the menstrual cycle where an egg is discharged for fertilization or if there is no sperm for the egg to join with, this would be what causes a woman to have her period after the egg can no longer be fertilized and needs to be expelled from the body.
When a male ejaculates into a woman’s cervix, his sperm can manifest inside of the body for up to three days. In this process the Y and X chromosomes travel to fertilize an egg. The Y chromosomes are much weaker than the X chromosomes, so they may only last 1 to 2 days inside of the female body due to the acidic environment and their weakness. Conception is established when a chromosome is conjoined with the X chromosome of an egg in the woman’s body and a new organism is created.

The best time for this process to happen is 3 to 4 days before ovulation. Although there are many myths and misinformation given to increase the chances of having a boy or a girl or even given in sex education classes to encourage abstinence it is best to be familiar with the ovulation time of a female. Three to four days before ovulation gives the sperm enough time to travel and manifest in the cervix, the egg will be discharged and met with the final surviving sperm. Another myth would be the 14th day of ovulation, which is 14 days after the first day of your period is the best time to conceive. What many don’t know is that most woman don’t ovulate on their 14th day of ovulation, especially if there periods are irregular.

There are many ways to track your ovulation. First, you must stay healthy and do what you can to make sure your periods are regular. Beyond that you can use an ovulation predictor kits which monitors a surge of LH hormones which usually peak 48-24 hours before ovulation. This requires you to urinate on a stick every morning.  You could even follow your Basal Body Temperature and your cervical mucus. This is started on the first day of your period and must be done routinely, at the same time every day, after a sufficient amount of rest and minimal activity every day through your menstrual cycle that way you will know when your body is reflecting your ovulation period and you’ll know when to expect to be able to conceive.

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