Are women most fertile before or after their period?

[reddaisy]

I always thought it was before but my friend says afterwards. I know it depends on ovulation, but in general what is the case?

[Megletitsnow]

After IIRC.

[OrangeCountyStrip]

What what?

Usually a woman ovulated two weeks BEFORE her next period. Obviously it's impossible to know when that will be, but if you keep track of your cycle you can often predict it somwehat - also keep track of your cervical mucus, because that can be a very useful sign that you are fertile. It tends to increase in many women towards ovulation, then after ovulation it dries up for a bit until the next period.

Go and read about natural family planning for more on this stuff

You cannot be fertile after ovulation, well, more than a day or two after to be on the safe side. Sperm can live for a week, eggs only 12-48 hours.

[OrangeCountyStrip]

Sorry for typos btw.

Basically, you have your period, you might bleed for 5 days, say you have a 28 day cycle you would tend to ovulate around day 14. So you could in tehory become pregnant having sex on day 7 onwards, till day 16.

After day 16 you should be safe.

This is very much theoretical and depends on your cycle length and luteal phase etc etc but monitoring your own signs of fertility is the way to understand better.

[DrSeuss]

www.amazon.co.uk/Taking-Charge-Your-Fertility-Reproductive/dp/0091887585/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1293543595&sr=8-1&tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-21

Get this and read all about it!

[spilttheteaagain]

Or if you want the quick overview watch these 3 little videos on Fertility Friend (25 mins total) to explain how your cycle works and when you are fertile.

[tingletangle]

I have a period tracker on my iphone that tells me when I am fertile.

[reddaisy]

Wow. Thanks for all the replies. I will have a little look at the video clips.