… if ovulation occurs four days after the last intercourse, the released mature egg may still encounter living sperm, which can result in pregnancy …”
fertility
THE thin pink line
Understanding how your body signals ovulation and recognising your fertile window can make all the difference when trying to conceive.
If you and your partner are trying for a baby, you’ ve come to the right place. To find out when you are at your most fertile, it’ s important to understand ovulation.
“ Ovulation is a biological process in which a woman’ s ovary releases a mature egg into the fallopian tube, where it awaits fertilisation by sperm, potentially resulting in pregnancy,” explains Dr“ Que” Qinisile Cele, gynaecologist, obstetrician and fertility specialist based in Abu Dhabi, UAE.
The fertile window
Dr Cele points out that even when intercourse takes place a few days before ovulation, the chances of pregnancy remain high. This is because sperm can survive in the woman’ s reproductive tract for three to five days, and if ovulation occurs four days after the last intercourse, the released mature egg may still encounter living sperm, which can result in pregnancy.“ For couples trying to conceive, it is recommended that they take advantage of the fertile window when planning intercourse, as this significantly increases their chances of success,” adds Dr Cele.
The fertile window typically spans about six days: the five days leading up to ovulation plus the day of ovulation itself. The five days before ovulation account for the lifespan of sperm, which can wait in the reproductive tract until the egg is released. Once ovulation occurs, the egg remains viable for approximately 12 – 24 hours before it disintegrates if not fertilised.
… if ovulation occurs four days after the last intercourse, the released mature egg may still encounter living sperm, which can result in pregnancy …”
While the fertile window provides a useful guideline for timing conception, it is not perfectly precise.“ Pregnancy can still occur outside of this window if ovulation happens earlier or later than expected, or if sperm survives longer than usual,” warns Dr Cele. This unpredictability is why natural family planning must be approached with caution if used as a contraceptive method.
38 www. babysandbeyond. co. za