Being dim - don't underdatnd ovulation dates

[desperatehousewife]

OK, I had regular periods (every 29 days). Therefore guessed I ovulated around days 12-15. However conceived on day 20 or 21. What's that all about then? Suddenly realised I don't have the faintest idea how ovulation works.

Anyone care to enlighten me?!

gagging to know...anyone?!

maybe this website will help.
Someone will probably come along and correct me but if you have sex around the days that you ovulate ie days 12-15 that is when you stand a good chance of conceiving. I am currently on CD3 and have already earmarked my fertile days.

I'm not sure I understand what you mean...? How do you know you conceived on day 20/21?

It does take 8 - 12 days generally for the fertilised egg to implant, post ovulation.

Ovulation will not necessarily be at the middle of your cycle. The only way to know exactly is to chart your temperature and/or check your cervical mucus (which is very stretchy and like egg white at the time of ovulation). Also, sperm can survive for up to 4 days so you could have sex a few days before ovulation and still conceive.
Hope this makes sense !

I know i conceived on those days because that's the only time we had unprotected sex around that time!

You must ovulate late in your cycle then.
Congratulations btw.{smile]

You are supposed to ovulate 14 days before your next period, so if you have a long cycle then it is the first phase (prior to ovulation) that is longer than normal. If you have a 21 day cycle then you should ovulate around day 7. If you have a 35 day cucle then you ovulate on day 21.

Having said all that, I have a 26-27 day cycle & conceived on day 7!! Even accounting for the journey of the egg down the fallopian tube & sperm living for 4 days, my date of conception was was confirmed with the scan (it was also the date of unprotected sex.)

Sometimes you just can't predict these things.

Sorry km but it's not really a case of "supposed" to ovulate - some women have short luteal phases (defined as less than 10 days post-ovulation days without any bleeding. 14 days is generally quoted as average cycle length is 28 days and average ovulation time is halfway through the cycle. Every woman is different though.

Thanks bonym. I was trawling back through my memory for the ovulation info but I'm glad to be corrected! As I said, my ovulation prediction failed me miserably but I'm pleased to say that the happy result is due in November!

Congrats km - hope all goes well for you!