Life of sperm?????

I am confused about something. I have read that sperm can stay alive for 3-5 days, and that fertile days are approx. 5 days long. Also that if you are trying to get pregnant it is best 2-3 days before ovulation. If that is true then how can sperm inside the body 5 days or so sooner fertilize an egg? Example, if you have a lmp of dec 7, and intercourse took place dec 14,15, and 20th, and 21st which encounter would result in pregnancy? Thanks

[lucky mom of 2]

The 15th or the 20th would be the conception. The 15th if the sperm managed to live 5 days, the 20th if you ovulated right on the 14th day of your cycle.

[debpac]

Thanks, it is all confusing to me. The reason I am so concerned is because I am having another c-section and they have to take him a week early, so that I don't go into labor and I know that the 15th and 20th are only 5 days apart, but I don't want my little guy to be born earlier than he has to.

[MsWendyCC]

Pregancy is measured with a potential for error....give or take two weeks, so you could have gotten pregnant at any one of them.  I have six children.

[lucky mom of 2]

I had c-sections too, and I didn't want mine born earlier either, I know how you feel, but 5 days isn't going to matter!
Good Luck!!

[myproblem]

Sperm are more likely to live 48-72 hours. I think 5 days would be pretty unlikely. I agree that pregnancy dates allow for a margin of error.

[debpac]

That's what I always thought, it may be possible for 5 days, but probably unlikely. Thanks

[Morgan277]

is it true that male sperm die quickly but are faster and female sperm are slower but are alive longer?

[myproblem]

Do you mean egg when you say "female sperm"? If so, the egg lives about 24-36 hours past ovulation if it is not fertilized.

[debpac]

yes that is what I have always heard. The male sperm die quicker, but swim faster.

[Morgan277]

sorry-
didnt mean the egg when i referred to "female sperm."  what i meant was the sperm carrying the female chromosome.  same for "male sperm."
didnt mean to sound ignorant.  :)

[myproblem]

That's okay, I figured it out after I saw debpac's comment. I have pregnancy retardation right now anyway ;)

[razorman]

My question is once a man ejaculates inside a woman after how long is the sperm considered dead and useless for reproduction.