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Conception

When's the best time to get pregnant? Use our interactive ovulation calculator to work out when you're most fertile and most likely to conceive.

Original poster

Length of time for sperm to reach the egg?

20 replies

HalyconDays · 28/01/2008 21:05

Hello all, I have read several times on different MN posts that it takes sperm about 12hrs to reach the egg. However, I have been idly surfing on the net and have found several articles that talk about sperm reaching the egg within 15minutes (or less). Anyone know for sure what the timeframe is? Thanks!

OP posts:
newyorkdolls · 28/01/2008 21:11

It takes a lot longer than 15 minutes for a sperm to reach the egg. Its less than a day but it can survive inside you for many days like up to 7.

Original poster
HalyconDays · 28/01/2008 21:29

Out of interest, where did you read that it 'takes a lot longer than 15minutes to reach the egg'?

OP posts:
Flibbertyjibbet · 28/01/2008 21:38

I read up to 24 hours in a very reliable book I had whilst ttc. If you think how microscropically teeeeeny a sperm is, and comparatively how long the journey is for it up through cervix, uterus, fallopian tube etc etc it sounds about right.
Yes they can live up to a week. Thats why my gp said not to bother with ovulation kits. Cos if an egg only lasts a day or so and you bonk on ovulation day - the egg is past its sell by date before the sperm get there.
If you are ttc, best to have sex lots in the 7-10 days after your period ends to make sure plenty of them are waiting at the ovary for when the egg is released!

newyorkdolls · 28/01/2008 21:43

HalcoynDayz. My mam is a family planning doctor and she told me!!

JingleyJen · 28/01/2008 21:45

it can take around 24 hours

whomovedmychocolate · 28/01/2008 21:47

Hang on a cotton picking minute, sperm can only move at an inch an hour. I know they get shot out at great speed but being predominantly male, its not like they will ask for directions. They have to FIND the egg, ENCIRCLE it and then one of them has to BREAK through the outside.

I apparently conceived DD seven days after having sex with DH! His sperm must be lazy fuckers!

Original poster
HalyconDays · 28/01/2008 21:52

Here are just a small sample of the sites that I found that talk about how soon the sperm can reach the egg (in minutes for the fastest ones!!!):

www.sci-ctr.edu.sg/ssc/detailed.jsp?artid=245&type=6&root=4&parent=4&cat=40

www1.iwon.com/home/parenting/parenting_article/0,18900,%7Cbaby%7C13246,00.html

www.drmalpani.com/book/chapter2d.html

www.reallifesolutions.co.uk/FORHIMsperm.htm

LOL animalcules!!

Incidentally, I have not yet found a single site that talks about the sperm requiring a timeframe of 24hrs to reach the egg. Has anyone seen an article that states this?

OP posts:
whomovedmychocolate · 28/01/2008 21:56

Oh the 24 hour thing is in that daft book by the woman with helmet hair- it's a DK book - Miriam Stoppard I think.

Original poster
HalyconDays · 28/01/2008 22:01

I bet most men would like to believe that they are capable of hitting the target within minutes...

OP posts:
Lubyloo · 28/01/2008 22:16

I found this fascinating to watch. It says 20 minutes to reach the fallopian tube.

Original poster
HalyconDays · 28/01/2008 22:34

That video was great!

Perhaps the 24hr thing is an urban myth that has now been debunked by modern technology.

OP posts:
Eleveld · 29/01/2008 09:55

Blimey, after reading those articles, no wonder it is so difficult to get preganant! The odds seem pretty low!

blueshoes · 29/01/2008 10:09

Depends on the consistency of your cervical mucous as well, as to how fast the sperm can swim and how long they will survive. Of course, the closer to ovulation date, the less resistance they will meet.

hanaflower · 29/01/2008 10:27

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

pinky36 · 29/01/2008 11:13

wot chance is the of getting pregnant if after sex the condom comes off inside you, but the opening isn't actually touching your vagina! From someone who got pregnant whilst takin the pill with 1st child, and got pregnant about 4 days into her cycle with her second, I'm obviously very fertile!

hanaflower · 29/01/2008 11:16

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

neolara · 30/01/2008 11:04

That video was amazing Lubyloo!

justateen · 25/06/2009 12:30

Hey
bsically i had unprotected sex bt gt the morning after pill the next morning.
however, i was due my period the day it happened, although i am not regular perhaps one or two days off. But i still didn't get my periods and i am a week late now. However, there is small dots of blood, which come and go, but i am one who usually has quite a heavy period so this is very rare and unusual. I took a test but it said negative, but it may be to soon for a test.
Is it possible that i could be pregnant?

teenycalls · 26/06/2009 14:24

It sounds quite unlikely that you are pregnant (though not impossible) and your spotting sounds like the start of your period - this happens to me but only since I hit my 30's. Try not to worry, you're probably making yourself late with all the stress! Good luck.

thell · 30/06/2009 00:17

Nice video - is that Tom Hanks??
(the voice, not the sperm...)

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