The thought of pregnancy before you’re ready can feel overwhelming. You may be wondering whether or not you could be pregnant based on when you last had sex.
However, while timing can reduce your chances of pregnancy, there’s always a possibility of pregnancy when you’re sexually active. Keep reading to learn more about fertility and timing, or schedule an appointment at New Life Pregnancy Resource Center for no-cost pregnancy testing to find out for sure.
Fertility Windows: What Are They?
Every woman has a monthly fertility window—when she is most likely to become pregnant. This window usually lasts five days leading up to ovulation, the day of ovulation, and the day after. This timing is based on how long sperm can stay inside a woman’s body and how long an egg waits to be fertilized.
Sperm can live inside a woman’s cervix, uterus, and fallopian tubes for 3-5 days after sex, and a woman’s egg only survives for 12-24 hours after ovulation (when an ovary releases an egg once a month). These two timeframes must line up for conception and pregnancy to occur.
If the sperm and egg meet, fertilization will happen, and pregnancy will begin.
What About When Pregnancy Is Least Likely?
The least likely time to become pregnant is during your menstrual period, during days 1-7 of your cycle. You may be bleeding during this time as you shed your uterine lining.
The other least likely time to get pregnant is after ovulation at the very end of your cycle (usually day 20 until your period starts).
Some women practicing natural family planning will track their cycles to identify when they are most and least likely to become pregnant. There are also apps and different tracking methods to learn how to outline your unique cycle.
What If You’re Not Ready to Be Pregnant?
The only way to truly prevent pregnancy is to abstain from sex. There’s always a chance of pregnancy even when following natural family planning or using a prevention method.
If you are not open to pregnancy or aren’t sure you’re with the right partner, it’s important to evaluate your relationship, as unexpected pregnancies happen often.
Do You Think You Could Be Pregnant?
You could be waiting to see if you’ll miss your period this month. If you do, it’s time to take a pregnancy test.
Contact New Life Pregnancy Resource Center in Gaylord, MI, for free and confidential pregnancy testing services to learn whether or not you’re pregnant. We’re here to provide pregnancy support and assist you every step of the way. You’re not alone at New Life.