Is ovulation possible RIGHT AFTER period?

[CC81]

There are gaps in my knowledge of how the cycle works! Any advice much appreciated.

My current period was late by nearly 2 weeks (due to stress, I think - which delayed ovulation).

So this cycle, presumably because it's the other ovary's turn to ovulate, my app (Clue) suggests I'll probably default to ovulation this coming Friday (i.e. if the delay hadn't happened).

BUT today is Tuesday and my period is literally just ending - so that's only a couple of days in between.

I don't let the app govern my life, but it has made me wonder.

Would that actually be possible? And even if so, would it stick? As the womb lining surely wouldn't have had time to build back up again?!

Regardless of when ovulation happens, this month we're simply going to DTD every other day (while monitoring with OPKs and BBT, for the record).

We've been trying for about 6 months, so last cycle's random long-ness was a frustrating complication I could have done without. I'd been pretty regular for a year beforehand. I'll be 39 this year, so am a bit worried.

@CC81 I think I must have ovulated really early in that cycle that I concieved my son. At the 12 wk scan I was a week ahead of where I thought I was, meaning I must have concieved shortly after my period finished. I do have shortish cycles anyway though.

Ignore the app - I would definitely adjust your next cycle based on how late your previous one was. Two more things to note: it's a myth that you alternate ovaries for ovulation, and an egg released before CD10 is unlikely to be viable for conception as it'll be immature.

Thanks both!

@Juno231 - It was actually my GP who told me that the ovaries alternate! But she may not have meant they 'take it in turns' - that's just how I interpreted it.

Hopefully my cycle will be more normal, anyway.

It'll be interesting to see what the OPKs and BBT show, over the next week.

*more normal than last month, I mean.

helloclue.com/articles/sex/conception-pregnancy-fertilization-explained

Think you might benefit from reading up about what's happening in your body. We didn't really get taught it properly at school most of us, all too busy telling us that we'll get pregnant if we have sex!

The uterus prepares the lining while the egg is on the way so dont worry about that. Both ovaries are hormonal-y connected so it's like flipping a coin as to which ovary the egg will be released from, it's the egg that matures the fastest that month, could be either side.

I personally got pregnant from having sex during my period, so learnt that anything is possible. Have fun and good luck! Try not to worry about the dates, just keep having sex.

I ovulated around day 9 or 10 so within 3 days of my period finishing, I also have a short cycle. So yes its possible.

Wow, thanks everyone!

@Nottherealslimshady - I agree. I never realised how things need to 'line up' so carefully! In fact, I've never really had to think about any of it, until the last year. I do look things up, but I don't always know exactly which search terms to use. Different sources say different things... and a lot of 'official' medical advice is wary of dealing in absolutes, which is difficult when searching for specific issues and answers. It's therefore really helpful to get anecdotal advice that I can then research further!

@WorkingItOutAsIGo - Good to know, thank you! Yeah, we're going to keep DTD every other day this cycle... but I'm also monitoring a few things in case I need to have tests (I'm 38 and am considering further action). It'd be reassuring to see signs that I've ovulated and when.

@IamChipmunk - That's what my app currently predicts! So we'll see. My cycles are usually about 26 days (on average), but the latest one was 36, completely randomly (I think stress delayed ovulation - I had a really tough week around the time it was due).

Oh and to encourage you further - that pregnancy was when I was 38 and had been trying for two years, given up, taken a new job and then got drunk and thought oh I can take a risk as I have my period! Such a delight!!

In my previous pregnancy I'm pretty sure we conceived on CD11, which is fairly early. Sperm can also live a fair while once in there, up to 6 days I think it is?

@WorkingItOutAsIGo - That's amazing! Haha. I do think it's more likely to happen when people are just relaxed and not concentrating on it too much.

That's probably my problem this time around... when we conceived our first child, three years ago (when I was 35), we weren't taking it very seriously and yet it happened immediately. This time we're more aware of time (as I'm 38), which probably isn't helping at all...

@Mrschips07 - Yes, I think if the conditions are right it can be several days. I'm watching everything closely (OPKs, temping, CM) for the signs, so I can get a better idea of timings. It's annoying because everything was pretty regular up until last month!