How many fertile days do women have?

Question

Wondering if anyone knows or if anyone has been in the same situation?!!!

Am ttc, and I'm using first response Ovulation tests. Basically theres five tests in a pack, that detect your LH surge (the hormone that releases the egg).

Well for the last week the tests have shown me that I have been ovulating for the past week, so am wondering if you can be fertile for 6 days??

I know that your most fertile for two days what about the rest.

I don't understand why my hormone levels are up??? help!!!

Not on any fertility treatment. The lines on the test showed dark, all the way through really, now test line darker than reference line.

Am so irregular, so It difficult for me track any way!

Answer 1

Hi Chloe! I don't know, some women aren't satisfied with just one + OPK are they!!! (LOL : ) ) Hey, at least you're getting +, mine are all -!!

I've had a look on some of the charts on Fertility Friend for you as this does sound unusual - quite a few show 2 or 3 days of +. One girl even had 3 + AFTER she'd ovulated and she ended up pregnant!

It's probably all those vitamins and minerals you're taking!

I wish I could offer some insight though, but at least you have got + so congrats - it's the first step over with! Just hope you've been BD all this time - you'll be worn out darlin!

It's a pity you didn't take your BBT as that would have helped pinpoint the exact day for you. I've just started to chart - I wasnt going to bother but thought, what the hell, it's not a big deal, and it's great as it really does tell you what on earths going on in there and you cant argue with science.

I've given up on OPKs now! and am sticking with this method. Thousands of women do it - at least you know exactly where you are then with your body.

If I come across any info on this I'll let you know!

PS: you haven't been using the same urine sample have you?!! LOL xx

Answer 2

Hi Chloe - Heidimaghellian here - this is my hubby's alias and he's no doctor, just a nickname!! But I couldnt reply again as I'd already answered.

Here's some info I found for you - don't know if it's any use but it might explain your numerous +, especially if you've been taking first urine of the day instead of later on.....

How do ovulation predictor kits work?
Available at drugstores and grocery stores without a prescription, ovulation predictor kits detect the surge in luteinizing hormone (LH) in your urine just before ovulation. They're easier to use and often more accurate than the BBT method, and they can predict ovulation 12 to 36 hours in advance and help you maximize your chance of conception the very first month you use them.

But they're not foolproof. Rarely, they can measure LH (you get either a positive or a negative result, not a number), but can't indicate whether you ovulate after a positive response; LH can surge with or without the release of an egg. False LH surges can also take place before the real one.

For maximum accuracy, follow the kit's directions to the letter. However, if the instructions say to test your first urine of the day, you may want to test your second catch instead. Your urine can become concentrated overnight and might give you a false-positive result.

Answer 3

You are fertile for about 120 hours every cycle, although conception can only occur during 12-24 hours of that. Chart your cycle. It doesn't matter how irregular your cycles are, by charting you will be able to see when you are fertile.

Simply take your temperature every morning when you wake up. It will rise when you ovulate (around 14 days before your next period) and will stay higher until the end of your cycle. Once released you egg remains viable for fertilisation for just 12-24 hours.
Also keep an eye on your mucus. It will become stretchy like egg white as you approach ovulation. Sperm can survive for up to 5 days in this most fertile mucus.
When trying to conceive it is recommended that you have intercourse every other day during the week before you ovulate and then for a day or two after.
You do not need to spend money on ovulation tests as your body will tell you when you are ovulating for free!
If you want to learn more about charting and interpreting your fertility signs the Couple to Couple League have an excellent home study course which I can highly recommend (they also run classes).
Make sure you are taking your pre-natal vitamins and good luck!

Answer 4

A woman is only fertile for a 24 hour period. Why? Because an egg is only viable for that amount of time. A man's sperm on the other hand can live in the female reproductive tract for 3 days. The acidity of the vagina will kill sperm immediately after they are introduced and over time sperm lose the "fuel" they had. The ejacualate fluid contains enzymes that give sperm the ability to move and swim as well as an alkaline environment that helps them live longer. So for example you are due to ovulate in 3 days, but have sex today, you could still get pregnant. Your chances would be slimmer, but still there. You can help determine your fertility by taking your temperature daily. Your temp. will increase higher than normal when you ovulate. Also, check your vaginal mucous. I Get some between your thumb and forefinger and stretch your fingers apart. If it looks like eggwhites and gets stringy, you're fertile. If you can't make it stretch then you're not and you'll have to try again. Good luck.

Answer 5

I assume that you're not on any type of fertility treatment that is causing your hormones to go wacky....

The window is 5 days usually but the actual time for you would depend on your particular cycle.

Like you, I am TTC and have found ivillage.com a wonderful source of information.

Good Luck!

Answer 6

My husband and I are trying to conceive too and for our first month (March) we're using an on-line calendar. Not the best way in some peoples minds but it's given us an idea of when we're most fertile and when I'm ovulating. You should check it out. The website is:

http://www.babyhopes.com/ovulation-calendar/index.html

Good luck!!!

Answer 7

you have i think it was 3 most fertile days in the month but altogether there can be about 8 days when your most likely to concieve .try type in find out what days i am fertile in your search engine that what i did as ling as u know the amount of days u get between each period it will be able to tell you your most fertile days of the month thats what i did and im exoecting my baby in 4 days lol! good luck! p.s hikka has given you the address i used babyhopes i used there calender and it worked for me!

Answer 8

Did it show up lighter in the beginning, get darker, and then lighter in the last days? Perhaps it was showing the oncoming surge and then the LH tapering off.

Answer 9

Track your cycle on mymonthlycycles.com it worked for us, we were pregnant by the end of the first cycle tracked.

Good luck

Answer 10

Try NHS direct. It is a mine of information.