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    Understanding ovulation

    Updated:26 Aug 2014 3:34 AM | Posted by
    Samantha McMeekin's picture
    Samantha McMeekin
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    Recently a friend told me there are only one or two days a month when you can actually get pregnant. Considering the number of ‘surprise’ pregnancies I’ve come across through the years, I thought this sounded extremely low. But according to whattoexpect.com, couples in their 20s and early 30s who aren't using birth control only have a 20 percent chance of getting pregnant. And apparently this largely depends on one thing: ovulation.

    Q: What is ovulation? 

    Ovulation is when one or more eggs are released from the ovaries and move into the fallopian tubes.

    Q: When does ovulation occur?

    On average, ovulation occurs about two weeks (12 – 16 days) after the first day of your menstrual cycle. Once the egg is released it will only live for about 24 hours.

    Q: How do you know when you are ovulating?

    If you have a regular cycle, you can roughly calculate which days you’re ovulating, but in order to be more accurate you can take an ovulation test like the Clearblue Digital Ovulation Test. The test works the same way as a pregnancy test, except instead of confirming a conception; it helps you identify your two most fertile days (aka when you’re ovulating).

      

    Q: Is ovulation the only time you can fall pregnant?

    Yes. Carolyn Kubik, fertility specialist, babycenter.com says: “Conception occurs when an egg and sperm meet in a fallopian tube. An egg can survive in your fallopian tube for about 24 hours after it's released from the ovary. So the only way you can get pregnant is if sperm are present in your fallopian tube during this window of opportunity. If the egg isn't fertilised, it's shed along with your uterine lining during your period.” It is important to note that sperm can survive inside the uterus for up to five days, so becoming pregnant does not always depend on having intercourse on the same day as ovulation.

    Q: Can I ovulate more than once during my cycle?

    Bill Ledger, Clearblue expert and Professor and Head of Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the University of New South Wales in Sydney Australia says, “Yes, it's possible to ovulate twice but this usually happens at about the same time of the cycle. This is how non-identical twins occur, from ovulation of two separate eggs. It happens more often in women over 35 which is one reason why the older group have more twins.”

    Have you ever taken an ovulation test? Did you track your ovulation when trying to conceive?

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    misfortune8 4 Jun 2019 3:26 AM

    I've marked Peggy Rothchild's post below as SPAM!

    clearcrystalwater 8 May 2019 8:12 PM

    Twins are fascinating - a friend had three gorgeous children and then with her fourth pregnancy she got twins - then she had five kids all of a sudden!! She still can't believe it! (They are absolutely the cutest twin girls by the way!)

    Miss19 1 Aug 2017 12:05 PM

    Thank you for this!

    jlsta 4 May 2017 7:10 PM

    *edit, not sure what happened internet cut out!

    jlsta 4 May 2017 7:09 PM

    I didn't but this is such a healpful article!

    Miss19 2 Apr 2014 11:01 AM

    Always great to learn more about the body!

    Duranduran38 23 Mar 2014 11:11 AM

    Have known about the one or two days that you can get pregnant during the month, have tried ovulation tests as well with not much effect, had more luck ( 3 times ) using the billings method.

    Ssajwani 8 Mar 2014 5:02 AM

    interesting!

    Belle88 4 Mar 2014 2:50 AM

    Interesting read.

    Joanne182 22 Jan 2014 4:25 AM

    Interesting stuff!

    Jacquelinee 18 Jan 2014 11:05 AM

    Our bodies are amazing!!

    Thepinkshoe 18 Jan 2014 6:41 AM

    It's interesting seeing as there as so many accidental pregnancies that you hear of!

    Jessica712 16 Jan 2014 11:47 PM

    Interesting things to know.

    Shop A Everyday 16 Jan 2014 3:01 PM

    Very informative article

    Evanescencessy 16 Jan 2014 10:05 AM

    An informative article for those wanting to try for a baby. Not for me as yet :)

    ModernSnowWhite 16 Jan 2014 9:54 AM

    Not looking at getting pregnant any time soon, but that's interesting to know :)

    emlovescoffee 16 Jan 2014 6:42 AM

    I've always considered myself very knowledgeable about these things (my mum is a midwife!) but I just learnt something.... I didn't realise sperm could live in the uterus for up to 5 days. very useful; information! Circulating to all the girls at work right now.

    Brown Beauty 16 Jan 2014 12:17 AM

    Interesting and informative

    Trixter 15 Jan 2014 10:12 AM

    Does ovulation happen 12-16 days after the first day of your menstrual cycle, even if you don't have the "standard" 28 day cycle?

    jenknees 15 Jan 2014 6:37 AM

    Learnt a new fact! Good luck to those trying :)

    Elefante 15 Jan 2014 1:06 AM

    An interesting read! Thanks for the info BH :D

    Rei_ 14 Jan 2014 5:05 AM

    ALwyas an interesting read

    Anne980 14 Jan 2014 1:29 AM

    Really informative reading, I learned something new!

    Platinum Ms 13 Jan 2014 9:37 PM

    Very interesting and cleared up a few things.

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