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Ovulation explained

Advice on ovulation with information on the fertility phases of the menstrual cycle including when fertilisation and conception are likely to occur.


Discuss ovulation explained on our forums, right now! Or, post a comment below.

Ovulation is the release of a single, mature egg from a follicle that developed in the ovary. Ovulation usually occurs regularly, around day 14 of a 28-day menstrual cycle. Once released, the egg is capable of being fertilised for 12 to 48 hours before it begins to disintegrate. This is the most fertile period of your cycle. During ovulation your chances of conception are highest.

Ovulation usually takes place approximately 14 days after the beginning of your menstrual cycle (the first day of your last period). The exact time of ovulation may vary within your cycle, because ovulation can be delayed by a number of factors such as stress, illness, diet, or increased physical activity.

Your fertile period starts about 4-5 days before ovulation, and ends about 24-48 hours after it. This is because sperm can live in your body for approximately 4 to 5 days, and the egg can live for 24 to 48 hours after being released. You are most fertile on the day before and the day of ovulation. Knowing your fertile days can help you increase your chances of getting pregnant.

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If a person has a 32 - 34 day cycle instead of a 28 day cycle how do you determine the ovulation process
added by babygurl33181 [Wed 1st Sep 2010 @ 10:06:08]
i have two girls and would like to know how to count my days to get a baby boy
added by bwanahadi [Thu 12th Aug 2010 @ 11:03:50]
hi me n my husband have been trying for a baby since january and so far nothing, in the past i have got pregnant within the 1st 6 months but now im worried that something may be wrong!!! im 34 and my hubby is 33 is it because im gettin older my periods are every 28 to 29 days so there regular.........i cant pipoint ovulation but were havin regular sex of 3 to 4 times a week, wat can i do to increase my chances any help would be appriciated xx
added by petty76 [Thu 12th Aug 2010 @ 11:01:18]
Hi
I am on the last day of my period (30/07/2010), when is the best day for me to conceive?
added by nosa1982 [Thu 12th Aug 2010 @ 10:51:23]
We've been trying to conceive for the past 7mths...my 1st day of my last period was 26th June my cycle is 28days so what are the best days this month to try???
added by annastott [Thu 12th Aug 2010 @ 10:09:13]
I was wondering if anyone can help!! My husband and I are ttc baby #2 and my cycle lengths are 30/31 days! This month i ovulated a few days before I was supposed too! Does this mean any thing or am I just over reacting?!
added by Abby1991 [Thu 12th Aug 2010 @ 09:14:56]
gd morning quick question my last cycle started on the 2/19/2010 and ended on 2/23/2010....... shoukd my new cycle already be here? i took a home pregnancy test and it yes yes..... but two others said no
added by mz21 [Fri 14th May 2010 @ 17:27:25]
I am trying to conceive, but am worried that my fibroids will prevent this. I have also been told that I am peri menopause. Will all of this prevent me from getting pregnant?
added by Stretchy [Fri 14th May 2010 @ 17:07:40]
I am 46 years old and married for the second time. I have a child conceived in first marriage. Second husband has no children and would want a child very much
added by Elshaddai [Fri 14th May 2010 @ 17:04:29]
hi after having the implant for 18months i gained quite abit of weight ive had it out now for 9weeks and my periods still havent come back is this normal?
added by pinkkitty [Fri 14th May 2010 @ 17:03:36]
I and my fiance are realy hoping to start a family in the near future but for 2 years now we haven't used any protection and i am still not pregnant:( any advice !
added by Mummmssy [Fri 14th May 2010 @ 16:14:48]
Hi can i get some advise plz .. My period came on da 14th of this month and i was ready 2 ovulate round 27th or so but me and my bf slept 2gether 22nd 23rd and 24th of this month bu i wasnt due me period til 2weeks and ive started bleeding now ... im so confused.. is there a chance i might be pregnant? i would appericate some advise thx u
added by ewekanic [Mon 1st Feb 2010 @ 09:21:35]
Now iam pregnant how can i get a baby boy i have two daughters
added by Anjaneyulu [Tue 5th Jan 2010 @ 15:51:10]
how often we need intercourse to concieve a boy once we got the LH surge postive
added by ramveena [Mon 26th Oct 2009 @ 12:49:34]
Can i just say that you count a full day ( so if you start period in evening next day is day 1) of bleeding as day 1 of your cycle and then count 14 days NOT the last day of bleeding....thats why some are getting it wrong..
added by LPearse [Fri 18th Sep 2009 @ 11:07:13]
Ovulation usually takes place approximately 14 days after the beginning of your menstrual cycle (the first day of your last period). This is indeed confusing....does this mean that 14 days from the last day that i mentruate??
added by lewele123 [Wed 3rd Jun 2009 @ 09:33:32]
well ive been using ovulation kits for 4 months of trying to get pregnant for 7 months, but they never say im Ovulating ????? does this mean somethink wrong with me???? or am i doing it wrong time????.when i do the ovulation test there is one deep purple line and only one faint line??? does that mean Negative ???? my periods are every 35 days latley???? used to be every 28 days???? confusing i know!!!! and the tests are not cheap !!!! be grateful for some advice ????
added by dec79 [Thu 7th May 2009 @ 09:20:15]
After your ovulation test is positive, how long do you have to conveice?
added by chrissie1976 [Wed 29th Apr 2009 @ 10:01:55]
can a very painful ovulation affect my chance of getting pregnant. i have been having three to four days very painful ovulation and i have had a scan and notting wrong was found. i have been trying for a baby for eight months now. added by ginika
added by tjron [Mon 6th Apr 2009 @ 09:22:10]
After your ovulation test is positive, how long do you have to conveice?
added by yudi [Tue 17th Feb 2009 @ 09:44:03]
i get lost on my days or confused on what days i ovulate and i would like to conceive a baby girl i already have a boy
added by lamamisshula [Tue 17th Feb 2009 @ 09:43:58]
im trying to conceive and i tried the first day of my last period but a month past and ive been having the symptoms but i just got my period could i still be pregnant
added by mzricko [Thu 29th Jan 2009 @ 08:52:42]
ok guys, i think i know how to put this. You start to ovulate 14 days into your menstral cycle. for example if i had just had my period, the day i come off, you ovulate 14 days later. thats when its at the highest. becuase you have just released an egg (because you are due on your preriod) then if you dont fall pregnant about 5 days later you have a period. This is why there is always 2weeks give or take for your due date.

Hope this helps??? Well i think thats right!
added by ShelleyBias [Wed 7th Jan 2009 @ 08:51:44]
IM A BIT CONFUSED WHEN IT COMES TO THE OVULATION PROCESS....MY PERIOD LASTED FROM NOV.23-NOV.26......WHEN DO I START TO OVULATE??
added by karamel89 [Thu 4th Dec 2008 @ 08:48:14]
do u count ovulation starting with the first day on menstrual cycle. B/C i had sex with husband one week prior to menstrual cyle, then had mentrual for 4 days wasnt heavy at all.. someone plez help with calculating thanks
added by mira29 [Mon 1st Dec 2008 @ 09:24:48]
my concern is about ovulation,for a 32day menstrual cycle, which day is likely to be the fertile period.
added by click [Thu 13th Nov 2008 @ 09:33:09]
I have bought clearblue ovulatin test,but my mentruation is not month tomonth issue.Its at times take three months after my last mentruation before l may have the next.What are the precuation,can l still check my ovulation.I need help,Lam 40 years and no child.
A.T.Bomah
added by tena [Mon 27th Oct 2008 @ 10:03:38]
i have just discovered i ov'd at cd6!! so this has just thrown a right spanner in the works! last cycle i was ov'ing at cd13. its enough to drive you mad! aaaarrrggghhhhhh!
added by linzi33 [Mon 20th Oct 2008 @ 10:56:05]
my af was on 12th sep i ovulated 5 days ago it was egg white and very stretchy mucus (sorry)
so for the frist 3 days we have been having sex. i would like to know was that the right time to have sex. but after the 3 day my mucus was white and lumpy (sorry) then to day it's like back to egg white and stretchy i have pain like i am ovuating. what could be happening.x
as any one ever had this?

added by ttc [Wed 8th Oct 2008 @ 09:06:44]
lh surge was detected friday morning and saturday morning there was no lh surge.what dose this mean
added by oranhill [Fri 3rd Oct 2008 @ 08:58:00]
I have used a ~LH Surge detection kit for several months. What I would like to know is, for example,Friday morning LH Surge present, Saturday morning, no LH Surge. What does this mean please? I would like to know what stage that is confirming, is it because I am ovulating,ovulated or I have the 24-36 hours ovulation slot.These kits do not explain this and I think it would be really useful for other women trying to conceive - WHAT WAS THE RESPONSE TO THIS QUESTION
added by delphijo [Wed 30th Apr 2008 @ 16:37:13]
Hello,I am trying to figure my phase my shortest menses was18 my longest was 26 my menses came on 06/20/2007.Do you know when I will ovulate?
added by tawanda21 [Wed 27th Jun 2007 @ 08:55:50]
I have used a ~LH Surge detection kit for several months. What I would like to know is, for example,Friday morning LH Surge present, Saturday morning, no LH Surge. What does this mean please? I would like to know what stage that is confirming, is it because I am ovulating,ovulated or I have the 24-36 hours ovulation slot.These kits do not explain this and I think it would be really useful for other women trying to conceive.
added by hall [Thu 14th Jun 2007 @ 09:08:32]
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