when?

when do you ovulate? I have heard 3 days after AF and I have heard 14 days after AF. Which one is it?

[sweetangel7]

First, you have to know how long your cycle is...some women have 28 day cycles, some 30, some 35 etc.  Once you know how long your cycle is, subtract 14 days and that is when you ovulate.  For example, if you have a 28 day cycle you'd ov on day 14...if you have a 30 day cycle you'd ov on day 16...(day one being the first day of your period).  Hope this helps!  Good luck!

[JoyRenee]

It depends on how long your luteal phase is as well. sweetangel gave you good information but some women have longer or shorter luteal phases. That is the length of time between ovulation and your period. Most women have a luteal phase of 12-16 days with 14 being the average (thus the reason sweetangel told you to subtract 14 days).

The reason you're hearing different things is because some people aren't being clear. When they say 14 days after AF, they actually mean cycle day 14. People get that confused and then have a very hard time TTC. If you have a long period that lasts 8-10 days and you are going to ovulate on CD14, then it'd be a few days after AF stopped, not 14!!!

So scratch everything you know and here's a little information on cycles:

The first day of your cycle is the first day of your period. It ends the day before your next period begins. The average cycle lasts from 27-35 days. Not every woman ovulates on CD14.

Great indicators of ovulation include CM (cervical mucous) and if you measure your BBT. Together these two things give you an EXCELLENT idea of when you ovulate since you may not know how long your luteal phase is to do that little trick just yet.

Irregular women do not ovulate on the same cycle day and some regular women will ovulate on or about the same cycle day.

For example, I have a 28 day cycle. I ovulate on CD12 usually because my luteal phase is 16 days. Remember, that is the time between ovulation and AF. If you ovulate late, your period will be late because your period is based on when you last ovulated. You will get a period within 12-16 days (whatever your luteal phase is) of ovulation unless pregnant.

Phew! Sorry for being so long-winded. Here's to fertility 101!

[sweetangel7]

Joy is right...I went with the 'cliff notes' version of fertility BUT she was right on!

[momsupport]

the best way to do it is 14 days before your period .mine comes every 40 days . i was so confused till i did research .. especially if your not a 28 day or 30 day cycle.. just count back....

[JoyRenee]

Thanks sweetangel. I was hoping you didn't think I was trying to say you were wrong because you're NOT! What you said was spot on as well. Michellap has the same idea!