When Can You Get Pregnant?

When you are trying to get pregnant, there are certain times in your menstrual cycle that you are more fertile than others. Your fertile days occur near the time that your ovaries release a mature egg for fertilization — a time known as ovulation.

In women who have a 28-day menstrual cycle, ovulation usually occurs between day 13 and 15. The egg that is released lasts up to 24 hours in the woman's body. Sperm, however, lasts several days in the human body, so the best times to have sex to get pregnant are several days before and one day after ovulation.

When can you get pregnant? It is helpful to schedule sexual intercourse a few days before and after ovulation. Know your signs of ovulations, such as changes in cervical mucus or a rise in basal body temperature, or you can buy an ovulation predictor kit that measures the amount of luteinizing hormone.