Understanding Ovulation and Fertilization

First, don’t be surprised, or ashamed at how much you don’t know. For many of us, the Mosie team included, it’s only when you start trying to get pregnant that you realize you don’t know as much as you thought about your body and how conception actually works.

Let’s start with a brief explanation of ovulation. Ovulation is when an egg is released from one of your ovaries into the fallopian tubes. The egg will live 24 hours – so that’s how long it’s viable for fertilization. Sperm on the other hand can survive up to 5 days in the female reproductive tract. Now the goal is to have the sperm already there in the fallopian tubes, waiting to fertilize that egg, when it arrives.  So, you should be having plenty of sex several days before ovulation. How much intercourse should you be having? That’s an issue up for debate. Some doctors say have sex multiple times a day up to five days prior to ovulation. Others say you want to allow the sperm to build up in quantity – so you should have sex every other day.

Now, if the egg is fertilized, it travels to the uterus to implant and begin developing into an embryo. Yay! You might be able to see a Big Fat Positive pregnancy test around the time your period would be due. But, if the egg is not fertilized, it disintegrates and your uterine lining begins to shed – which is called menstruation – otherwise known as your period.

The best time to have sex - and to use Mosie - is typically about five days before you ovulate – up until the day you ovulate. You’re most fertile two days before ovulation and on the day of ovulation. However, figuring out exactly when those days will happen, can be tricky. If your period comes the same time every month, then ovulation will likely happen 14 days before your next expected period. But many women are not regular. The good news is that your body typically does a good job of giving you some subtle signs that you’re about to ovulate. You just need to know what to look for. Check out our page on Cervical Mucus - and how to check your cervix position.