conception question please help!

[jessica_53402]

My last menstural period  was on december 6th, i was told that conception should happen on december 20th however, i had unprotected sex with my husband on december 16 would that make a difference, do you have to have unprotected sex on the 20th to make sure or are my chances still highly likely to be pregnant from having it on the 16th please help me

[bluegenie2003]

Ovulation isn't always 14 days after the start of your LMP unfortunately. Mine personally varies from CD 13-CD 21!  A better way, unless you're tracking, is to count 14-16 days back from your next period..that should be close to when you ovulated.  If you have regular periods, you might be able to tell from that.  Or you can track CM changes, temps, or use an OPK to try to pinpoint ovulation.

On a good note, sperm can live up to 3 days or so, so it is possible that even if you ovulated close to the 20th, that you still could get pregnant from intercourse on the 16th.  

[sweetangel7]

The person who gave you your advice gave you the 'cliffs notes' version of fertility.  Basically, they are assuming you have a 28 day cycle and that your luteal phase is 14 days.  Both are not true for everyone and I actually am beginning to think it is rare from all of the posts I have read.  Hypothetically, you ovulate 14-16 days before your period...WHICH if you have a 28 day cycle, that would put you at about day fourteen to ovulate/be fertile which is where Dec. 20th comes into play.  IF your cycles are only 24 days, then you'd have a chance of getting pregnant from intercourse on the 16th.  I'd continue to have intercourse around the 20th if you want to get pregnant.  If your husband has no sperm issues, you can try the 18th-21st to try to catch your ovulation.  The egg only has a 24 hour life span...sperm realistically can live up to 3 days.  Some say longer but the ph of the vagina has to be ideal and I have done a lot of research saying 3 days is the most realistic.  

SO if you cycle is 30 days you will ovulate around day 16...the first day of your period being considered day 1.  

If you are tying to get pregnant I recommend checking out the website fertility friend and reading a book called taking charge of your fertility.

And also, there is always a chance of getting pregnant anytime in your cycle...I have heard of women getting pregnant while on their period.  Every body is different.

Hope this helps!