At What Point in a Woman’s Cycle Is She Most Likely to Get Pregnant?

A woman is most likely to get pregnant during a three- to five-day window of ovulation mid-way through the menstrual cycle. The average menstrual cycle is 28 days long, but can range anywhere from 21 to 35 days in adults.

What is Ovulation?

About mid-way through a menstrual cycle, an egg is released from the ovary. This is called ovulation, and occurs around day 14 of a 28-day cycle, but can occur earlier or later if cycles are shorter or longer.

Effects

Pregnancy occurs if the egg is fertilized by a man’s sperm right before or during ovulation, and the egg attaches to the uterine wall.

Features

Physical evidence of ovulation includes a slight rise in basal body temperature, a change in vaginal discharge and sometimes cramping on one side of the abdomen.

Tracking Ovulation

Whether trying to prevent pregnancy or trying to conceive, it’s useful to know when ovulation occurs. Keeping track of menstrual cycles for a few months and paying attention to physical cues are good ways to do this. There are also over-the-counter ovulation predictors available at drug stores.

Considerations

During each cycle, there is only a 25 percent chance of pregnancy in normally fertile couples. Women who have had frequent sex for one year without birth control and haven’t conceived should make an appointment with their doctor to check for infertility problems.