QuestionThanks for your prompt response, although I must admist I'm more confused than before I asked the question.
First, it seems that everything I've read says that the sperm can last up to 5 days, while the egg can last up to 24 hours after ovulation (and that's a stretch). Therefore, the window of getting pregnant is more like 3-5 days before ovulation and one day after.
http://www.fertilityfriend.com/Faqs/The_Fertile_Window_-_Scientific_Literature_R
http://www.fertilityfriend.com/Faqs/Intercourse_Timing_and_Frequency.html
http://www.ovusoft.com/library/faqfertility.asp#4
Also, everything I've read also seems to point to ovulation happening before the temperature rise. The progesterone is what causes the temps to rise.
http://www.ovulation-calculator.com/fertility-charting.htm
http://www.storknet.com/cubbies/preconception/bbt.htm
I have started seeing a specialist and had my progesterone tested. It was quite good and my RE had no reason to be concerned about my 12-13 day luteal phase. So, I guess I'm one of the rare ones who does not ovulate 14 days before my period starts, although I've read that a 10-16 day luteal phase is considered "normal".
http://www.webwomb.com/luteal_phase_frame_page.htm
http://www.babyhopes.com/articles/luteal-phase-defect.html
Lastly, regarding the pregnancy tests...I think the one reason certain doctors suggest that they are not accurate until a week past the missed period is to account for ovulation that may not have happened on CD14. Some women do ovulate after CD16 and get pregnant. If a woman ovulates on CD20, then on CD28 (when she might expect her period), the test would likely be negative. Even if I have regular cycles, travel or stress may delay ovulation, thus delaying my period. It seems that by saying a negative test a week after you've missed your period means that a woman is not pregnant is not accurate, given that it is possible she has just ovulated!It seems the more accurate recommendation is that home pregnancy tests are accurate anytime after 14 days past ovulation.
Anyway, thanks for your response, although I am more confused than before since what you're saying goes against almost everything my regular doctor, OBGYN, and RE have all said. I hope that we get pregnant soon, because honestly all of this conflicting information is enough to drive anyone crazy.
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Answer -
If you have a 30-33 day cycle (from the first day of your period until the first day of your next period) ovulation occurs on cycle day 16-19 (fourteen days before the first day of your next. Since a sperm remains viable for 12-24 hours and an egg remains viable for 24-48 days, The window of opportunity for getting pregnant is from one day prior to ovulation and up to two days after ovulation. Ovulation always occurs 14 days before the day of your period, unless you have a luteum phase defect. You should get a pregesterone level done to see if it is low. If so, have your doctor start you on progesterone supplentation. In a basal body temperature chart, ovulation occurs 12-24 hours after the shift of temperature, not before. Pregnancy test should be taken 14-21 days after the suspected day of conceiprion. However, the consensus of infertility experts is that the most accurate time to take the test is seven days after missing your next period. You may get a positive test on cycle day #28 but, if it negatice, take another test a week later. If it is negative at that time, you are not pregnant.Do not bother taking the test tooo early.. Some manufacturers may say that with their product, you can get a postive result before the date you expect your period. Although it is possible, it is it is not accurate before 14 days after conceptio.
Y our last period started on May 27. Therefore, if you have a 30-33 day cycle, you ovulated on June 23 - to June 19. You may benefit from the purchase of an ovulation monitor, to pinpoint the exact day of ovulation. The bottom line is to try to straddle the days of suspected ovulation. If you have been trying unsuccessfully to conceve for a whole year, it is time to consult an infertility specialist. Good Luck. Keep in touch .
AnswerI am sorry you are confused with what I said. I will try to clear it up.
Sperm has bee seen in the reproductive tract for 5 days, however sperm can have the ablity to fertilize an egg for 12-24 hours. It is better to have the sperm there (at the end of the fallopian tube) before sex. The ovum can remain viable from the day of ovulation and becomes non-viable from 24-48 hours.If you are doing a basal body temperature, the downwood drop of temperature is due a rising of Progesterone. Then you ovulate and there is rise of your temperature. It is suggested to have sex 12-24 hours after the rise of temperature. It cannot hurt to take progesterone suppositories, even if the progesterone level is within normal limits.The progesterone definitely
causes the temperature drop, but the hyperthermic reaction causes the act of ovulation Due to an LH surge. I had said "the shift in temperature" I was talking about the drop in temperature, where progesterone was increasing, during the rise ovulation was taking place (12-24 hours. During this time, ovulation was taking place.
Although you can get a positive pregnanty test around 14 days from concepton, (you can get a positive pregnancy test with a blood test at 10 days after conception) they are not accurate if it is negative test.Certainly, if you get a positive test you are pregnant. However, a test taken 7 days after you expected your period is quite accurate
Finally, if you have a normal luteal phase, ovulation occurs 14 days prior to the start of your period. If you ovulate on cycle day 16, you should get your period on cycle day 30. Of course there are variations. If you have a luteal phase defect this can change.
I'm sorry you did not like by answers. I would check with your Reproductive Endocrinologist.Many obstetricians have different opinions. There is nothing written in stone. I did not learn anything during my time in Mexico. I learned most of my infertility with Dr. Seigler and Dr. Gemzell both world famous R.E;s at Downstate Medical Center (during my residency) but continued in practice for the last 25 years. I have performed over 2500 vaginal deliveries and over 1000 cesarean sections. I have had over 500 infertility patients who had gone on to have successful deliveries. Over 300 of them had problems with determining time of ovulation. So far, the methods I use have been successful. You said that you knew that I was trained in Mexico, but you asked if I was really an M.D. I am in the process of researching the life span of the sperm and the egg. I will send you the most current information. You may not agree with me, you do not have to use the site, but I would request that you not slander me on-line.
