The time you are most likely to get pregnant is during your "fertile window," which is the few days around ovulation—the release of an egg from your ovary. Ovulation typically occurs about 12 to 16 days before your next period starts and marks the peak of fertility. Having sex during the five days leading up to ovulation and on the day of ovulation itself gives the highest chance of conception because sperm can survive for several days in the reproductive tract, waiting for the egg to be released. In a typical 28-day menstrual cycle, ovulation usually occurs around day 14, so the fertile window would be approximately days 9 to 14. However, this can vary depending on cycle length. Sex two days before ovulation is often cited as the optimal time, with significantly higher chances of pregnancy compared to days after ovulation. The fertile window lasts about six days: the five days before ovulation plus the day of ovulation itself. To increase chances of pregnancy, regular intercourse every 2 to 3 days during the cycle or targeting the fertile window can be effective. Tools such as ovulation predictor kits or tracking changes in cervical mucus can help identify when ovulation is near. Pregnancy can technically occur at other points in the menstrual cycle but is least likely outside this fertile window.
