Does Having Sex Before The Peak Ovulation Date Help In Fertility? What Are The Chances Of Pregnancy?

Posted on Wed, 30 Oct 2013

Question: Hi doctor,

Want to know whether having sex 2 days before the peak ovulation date will help in fertility. My wife bought an ovulation kit and checked it yesterday (Thursday Oct 10) and the result was positive. The result was negative on Wednesday (Oct 09).Due to some reasons, we were not able to have sex on Thursday Oct 10. But, we had sex on Tue & Wednesday (Oct 8 & 9). What are the chances of getting pregnant in this scenario? I checked in internet and found that sperm lives in uterus for 3 days so can we expect pregnancy?

Thanks

Answered by Dr. Polash Sannigrahi (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
There is possibility of getting pregnant

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

Thanks for your query.

According to the ovulation kit, ovulation has occurred on Thursday Oct 10 & you had sexual intercourse with your wife on Tue & Wednesday (Oct 8 & 9).

You are correct regarding the fact on survival of sperms.
Studies have shown that sperm can survive inside the female reproductive tract for 48 to 72 hours.
Based on this observation, there is possibility of achieving pregnancy if sperms have been successfully deposited in the female reproductive tract by Oct 8th or 9th.

Moreover, the ovum is usually capable of being fertilized for up to 48 hours after it is released from the ovary.
So, even if there is any chance of failure of sperm deposition in previous attempts, you still have time to make amends - sexual intercourse now can be as fruitful as yesterday or day before.

Wishing you a good health.
Take care.

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad