How long until fertilization occurs?

Question

So, say a couple had sex on Monday. Could she be pregnant on Tuesday?

Answer 1

It's possible, yes -- if ovulation occured Monday or Tuesday, then the sperm could fertilize the released egg Tuesday, and "conception" would occur.

But -- and this is a big "but" -- even if it happened that way, it still takes several days for a fertilized egg (an embryo) to implant in the woman's uterus. Not until implantation occurs does the body recognize the pregnancy and begin to manufacture hcg (human chorionic gonadotrophin), the so-called "pregnancy hormone." Pregnancy tests work by detecting hcg -- urine tests are "qualitative" tests only, and if they detect a particular amount of hcg in the system they will be positive; doctors can also run a quantitative blood test, which tests for the specific amount of hcg in your system. For urine tests, the amount of hcg they must detect to yield a positive results depends on the sensitivity of the test, but no test in the world will be positive until three things have happened: fertilization, implantation, and the manufacturing of enough hcg to be detected.

SO, even though fertilization could occur Tuesday from sex on Monday (IF ovulation happened at the right time), you couldn't detect a pregnancy for roughly two weeks.

Also, as an aside, ovulation does NOT take place over several days, as others have said; ovulation takes place on one day in your cycle only, and once released, the egg survives for only a matter of hours (somewhere between 8 and 24). Sperm, however, can survive for as long as 5 days in a fertile environment; it is for this reason that fertilization can occur a few days after sexual activity.

Answer 2

Everyone's cycle is different. There is a myth that woman ovulate 14 days after their period begins...but that is only an AVERAGE and each month can be different. The other thing is that sperm can live inside you for up to 5 days.... The only way to know is to know exactly when you ovulate. There are several ways to know and some are more effective than others. Some can only predict before ovulation happens and some can only predict that is has already happened. The absolute best info I can give you is to go read a book called Taking Charge of your fertility by Toni Weschler. It will help you understand your body and all the myths about it. It will help you time when you are ovulating and the best times to conceive – or not! . It's about knowing your body and knowing when you are fertile or not. My husband and I tried for 1 year and had no luck..… We tried ovulation predictors , laying with pillows under me for 20 min. everything……the first month that I began using the book I realized that my timing was WRONG!. We got pregnant that very first month and I am now due Feb 2, 2007. You can pick and choose what you do with your info. Good luck and don't listen the all the myths! Even if you don't get into charting and everything....it will help you in so many ways!

Answer 3

Yes and no. It depends on your definition. A sperm could have fertilized the egg, meaning that conception has occurred. So you could be carrying a fertilized egg. Exactly when you would say that you are pregnant will probably be determined by a positive test or physical changes. The odds of being pregnant depend on where you were at in your cycle, your age and other factors.
Good luck!
Congratulations?

Answer 4

Sperm can reside as much as 5 days. The concept is to have the sperm there competent for the egg when it's released. The egg could be fertilized within the primary few hours of ovulation. Sure, the fertilized egg then makes it experience into the uterus (which will take 6-12 days).

Answer 5

Depends if you're ovulating or not. If it's the right time of month for you, you could have a fertilized egg, and the sperm could also still be alive in you for a couple days until your egg is released. But pregnancy tests won't show positive for at least two weeks, closer to your period.

Answer 6

Sperm can stay as much as 5 days. the belief is to have the sperm there waiting for the egg whilst it incredibly is released. The egg would be fertilized in the 1st few hours of ovulation. sure, the fertilized egg then makes it experience into the uterus (that may take 6-12 days).

Answer 7

Ovulation last 7-10 days. Its not a matter of whether you can get pregnant the next day after sex. If one has sexual activity during ovulation, pregnancy can even take place the minute the sperm swims into the fallopian tube.

Answer 8

yes..i agree with singgirl...wen ur havin sex, the sperm goes in fert the egg n u r preg...the result can b found out only a couple of days later......

Answer 9

though she has got pregnant on monday
she cant be pregnant again the next dayif she hadd sx on monday untill the baby is born