Can you get pregnant right before your period? To answer your question precisely it is “Yes”. In fact, there is no time of the month when a female cannot get pregnant. You can get pregnant any time of the month. Pregnancy in the right time is bliss. It rewards you and promotes to the next level. You are excited to know more about pregnancy and right time to get pregnant. Let me explain you more about the pregnancy facts in this article. Before telling you about pregnancy let me, explain you a crucial process Ovulation that determines pregnancy.
What is Ovulation?
Ovulation is a biological process. It is course of expulsion of an ovum (female reproductive cell) from the ovary. This process takes place in the mid way of the menstrual cycle. This is the prime time of conception. Ovulation usually starts about 14 days before the next scheduled period. Alternatively, ovulation period occurs between 12 to 16 days after the next period. Many also ovulate between 11th to 21st day after the first day of the last menstrual period. Ovulation may occur on different days. You will get your period about 2 weeks after ovulation.
Now ovulation kits are available to check the period of ovulation. Positive result indicates you are in this phase. You can proceed further for intercourse soon after getting positive results as chances of getting pregnant are very high during this period.
This is the stage when a woman is in her fertile period. Fully mature ovum (egg) is released from the ovary and awaiting the process of fertilization. If sexual intercourse happens during this phase chances of getting pregnant is very high. Ovum survives for 12 to 24 hours after ovulation. Sperm can live up to 7 days within your body.
Fertilization must take place soon after ovulation to get pregnant. This is where the ovum meets its partner sperm in the fallopian tube. Timing of sexual intercourse is important as both ovum and sperm are short lived. You can still get pregnant if you ovulate within next 6 days of intercourse, as the sperm is still alive. Duration of “Fertile Window” is 6 days.
Can you get Pregnant Right Before your Period?
It is unlikely you will get pregnant right after your period. However, there are chances of getting pregnant right after your period. Lifetime of sperm is about six to seven days and it is available for ovum during this period soon after you are having sexual intercourse. If ovulation occurs within this span then fertilization takes place leading to pregnancy. You are most likely to be pregnant if you ovulate early and have natural short menstrual cycle right after your period.
There is no safe period to have sexual intercourse during the monthly cycle without contraceptive. If you are not ready for pregnancy and still need time, prefer protected intercourse. Artificial contraceptive methods are preferred in case, if you do not get your periods regularly and if you are not ready for a baby. Natural family planning methods may fail sometimes for woman with irregular periods.
Planning your Fertility Pattern
There are three ways to keep track of your fertility pattern. They are:
Calendar Method
Keep track of your menstrual cycle for eight to twelve months. The length of the cycle may vary from month to month. Mark the first day and last day of your period on the calendar and write down the total number of days it lasts each time. Using this record, you can track your fertility period.
Note:
Using only calendar method may not yield accurate results. However, consider using this with other fertility awareness methods.
Basal Body Temperature Method
Basal body temperature is the lowest temperature of your body. You attain this temperature during rest. Measure Basal body temperature is measured soon after you are awake and before doing any physical activity. This parameter keeps track of fertility period. There is slight increase in basal body temperature during ovulation period.
Change in temperature may vary from women to women. Generally, from 96 to 98 degrees Fahrenheit the temperature goes up to 97 and 99 degrees Fahrenheit. To recognize this small change sensitive basal body temperature thermometers are available. This can record your oral temperature. Overall rise in temperature is only by 0.4 to 0.8 degrees Fahrenheit.
The rise in temperature may be sudden or gradual increase. Record your basal body temperature daily for several months. Keep this record on your special basal body temperature chart.
Increase in temperature does not indicate egg expulsion. Nevertheless, most of the women ovulate within three days after their temperature rise. Temperature remains high until your period starts.
Period you are fertile and more likely to get pregnant:
- Two to three days prior your temperature rise and
- 12 to 24 hours after ovulation
Ovulation Method (Cervical Mucus Method)
Being aware of changes taking place in the cervical mucus all over the month helps you track the fertile period. The hormonal changes during menstruation also alter the amount of mucus produced before and after ovulation. Dry days are the days soon after your period and no production of mucus during these days. Once egg starts to mature, mucus increases in vagina and appears at vaginal opening. It is sticky, cloudy and yellowish in color. Great amount of mucus appears just before ovulation. These are wet days and you can clearly make out slippery, raw egg whites. This indicates you are in fertile period. Wet days last for about four days and after that amount of mucus decreases. Keep track of your “Dry”, “Sticky”, and “Wet” days on your calendar and check out for your fertile period.
Combination of all three called symptothermal (SIMP-toh-thur-muhl) method used to track your fertile period. Additionally, ovulation kits are also available to track ovulation period. These methods help you track your fertility and you will get to know apt time for getting pregnant.
I hope I have answered your question Can you get pregnant right after your period clearly. If you have found it useful and wish to express your response, please drop them in our comments section. Let the world cherish your beautiful pregnancy experience.