Post # 1
Member
337 posts
Helper bee
This is probably a stupid question but this is the first cycle we are ttc and I was wondering how late into the cycle, or how many days before expected period will there be a high chance of not conceiving. Aka, when can I rest from having sex .all the time and not miss a chance to get pregnant Im only asking cause I dont want to put sexual stress on husband but I also dont want to lose a chance to have conceive. Hes already told me hes tired of doing it so often lol
Post # 2
Member
3993 posts
Honey bee
It doesn’t really work like that. You have to determine when you ovulate, not when you expect your period is due. The second phase of your cycle (after ovulation) is usually 14 days long, so if you have a 28 day cycle then you will most likely have ovulated 14 days after your last period and can stop. However (and this is a big however), many many women don’t have perfect 28 day cycles and plenty don’t have perfect 14 day luteal phases. I would recommend using ovulation predicator kits and stopping a couple days after a positive ovulation test. Also, there is such a thing as too much sex when TTC due to sperm count. Studies show every other day during your fertile week is best.
Post # 3
Member
3470 posts
Sugar bee
- Wedding: July 2012 - The Gables Inn, Santa Rosa, CA
Your period will arrive about 14 days after ovulation. 12-24 hrs after ovulation the egg stops being viable…
The problem is, you can’t always predict exactly when ovulation is going to occur. For some women it’s clock work, for others not so much… It typically happens some time between cycle day 12-18 though, so it just depends on how long your overall cycles are to help predict.
By the way, all of those #’s are based on Cycle Day 1 being the first day you see RED blood from your last period.
So, in theory, a cycle would look like this:
CD 1-6: Period (or however long you typically bleed for)
CD 8-14: Firtile window
CD 14: Ovulation Day (last day to concieve)
CD 28: Begin testing until BFP or next period starts and go back to Day 1
That being said – I typically ovulated around CD 20 and my cycles laster closer to 35 days as a result.
If you’re not familiar with your cycles downloading an app like Glow or Fertility Friend might be helpful to get in the habit of keeping track, and both can help you predict based on the info you enter.
EDIT: Also, the fertile window is based on how long the SPERM can survive, because the egg is only viable for that 12-24 hr period. But sperm can survive up to a few days inside you, obviosuly the closer you have sex to actual ovulation the better your chances though. Sorry if any of that is repeat information, not sure how much info you have on the mechanics of TTC.
Post # 4
Member
585 posts
Busy bee
If you have just started TTC and you aren’t in too big of a hurry, you might consider downloading a simple app to track your fertility. These apps will only ballpark your ovulation based on your periods (and they become more accurate over time with more of your data), but if you’re mainly looking for days when you can take a break from having sex, they should do the trick. I’m not TTC, but I use period tracker to track my periods, and it estimates my fertility and ovulation automatically. I’m sure there’s something that’s more specific for people who are TTC.
If you don’t want to download the app, PPs advice is solid.
Post # 5
Member
1382 posts
Bumble bee
the post-ovulation phase can be 10-16 days, so if you are less than 10 days to your next period, take a break. That’s probably overkill but no way to know unless you track your ovulation.
Post # 6
Member
764 posts
Busy bee
I kept up with the Period Tracker app even when I was temping and using Fertility Friend. It was usually spot-on compared to temping, give or take a day or two.
Post # 7
Member
543 posts
Busy bee
I’m in my first cycle off the pill and ttc. I was recommended to read taking charge of your fertility and i recommend the same for you – its extremely helpful
Also the docs generally recommend BD every other day so if you’re makin him go daily i can see why he is getting tired.
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This reply was modified 4 years, 5 months ago by
jb2015.
Post # 8
Member
2606 posts
Sugar bee
I second the suggestion of reading Taking Charge of Your Fertility. It should be required reading for every woman.
Post # 9
Member
9824 posts
Buzzing Beekeeper
I agree w PP, if you’re not temping I would estimate you should ovulate between 10-16 days before your period is due. So 10 days before your period is due is probably ok to stop having sex. Could be overkill but no way to know unless you temp. I ovulate 10 days before my period is due. But this seems fairly unusual, most are 12-16 days before period is due. But it happens
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