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Can You Get Pregnant Right After Your Period?

by Lindsay E. Mack

When you're trying to conceive, you likely want to make the best use of all of your time. After all, it can feel like every second counts when you're looking for the right time to make a baby. But figuring out how to time your conception correctly can feel like it takes ultra-precise planning. For instance, can you get pregnant right after your period, or does it take a few days?

Well, as with many bodily functions, the answer is: it depends. First, it helps to understand the many factors that go into conception. According to WebMD, ovulation typically occurs around two weeks before the start of your next period. Of course, this may vary a little from person to person, as your egg does not have to follow the Gregorian calendar. Additionally, this window does not last for very long. As explained by Health Line, ovulation only lasts for about 24 hours, so women are only fertile for a few days out of every month. So hitting that target correctly can be difficult (as anyone who has been trying to conceive for a while can attest). But this may be even more tricky right after your period, depending on your body's cycle.

In order to get pregnant directly after your period, a few things have to fall into place. As explained by obstetrician and gynecologist Hamed Al-Taher in Baby Centre, if your cycle is exceptionally short (say around 22 days), then it is possible you may ovulate right after your period ends. In this case, it may be possible to conceive during this time frame. In addition, sperm may live for as long as six days, as noted in Baby Center, so it's possible you could get pregnant if you have sex in the six days leading up to ovulation: even if some of those days overlap with your period.

But in general, a lot of factors have to fall into place, so you may not want to bank on getting pregnant during this time frame. That said, it never hurts to try, right? The odds just may be in your favor.