Can you get pregnant right after your period ends?
And when is the best time to have intercourse after the period?
Many other questions spring to the minds about the best timing to ensure pregnancy.
This article will tell you how to calculate the days of ovulation and the best days to increase your chances of pregnancy during the menstrual cycle.
Can you get pregnant right after your period ends?
It is not normal to get pregnant right after your period ends, but it is not impossible, as pregnancy may occur any time through the menstrual cycle.
There is no time that is 100% safe during the month, and there is a certain period, often between the eleventh and twenty-first days of the beginning of the cycle, called the days of ovulation.
The chances of pregnancy and fertilization increase if intercourse occurs during that period.
To determine the best time for pregnancy, first, we must understand the stages of the menstrual cycle.
When does pregnancy occur after a period?
The egg goes through several stages to prepare for fertilization and embryo formation.
First, the egg is released from the ovary to begin its journey into the fallopian tube.
Next, it grows and enlarges until it reaches the appropriate size, and this period is called ovulation.
Then either, the egg is released from the fallopian tube to meet the waiting sperm, and fertilization occurs.
Or, the egg is released, and the sperm never arrives, so the ovulation period ends in the form of menstrual blood (period).
The menstrual cycle begins on the first day of menstruation and continues until the first day of the next period.
The incidence of pregnancy after a period is high during the days of ovulation.
On other days there is a slim chance of pregnancy, which answers the question, “Can you get pregnant right after your period ends?”
The likelihood of becoming pregnant decreases with age, and fertility naturally begins to decline in women after the age of 35.
The number and quality of eggs also decrease with age, and the ovulation process becomes irregular.
There are also some medical problems that affect fertility and make conception harder, such as:
- Endometriosis.
- Polycystic ovary syndrome.
What’s the best time to get pregnant?
After we answered the question, “Can you get pregnant right after your period ends?”
We have to talk about the best time for intercourse to increase the chances of pregnancy.
According to the American University of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, ovulation occurs on the 14th day of the cycle, if the menstrual cycle repeats every 28 days.
Therefore, ovulation is expected to occur between day 11 to day 21 of that cycle, bearing in mind that the first day of the last menstrual period is the first day of the new one.
However, ovulation may not occur on the same day each month and may vary on one or more days in the expected range.
Doctors also call ovulation days the Fertile Window; Because it increases the chance of pregnancy.
If a woman ovulates on the 14th day, she can get pregnant on the same day or within 24 hours after intercourse.
Fertility may begin a few days before the ovulation day; Because sperms can survive up to 5 days inside a female’s body.
Even if there is no intercourse on the 14th or 15th day, there is still a chance of pregnancy if you have sex between the 9th and 13th days.
Pregnancy symptoms right after period ends
Some changes may begin to appear within a week of pregnancy.
Many women may not notice anything even after missing the next menstrual period (the most common pregnancy symptom).
Every woman and every pregnancy is different, and there are some possible symptoms of early pregnancy, including:
Spotting or light bleeding
Many women are surprised to find spotting or light bleeding that can be an early sign of pregnancy, often called implantation bleeding.
The bleeding usually appears after the tenth to the fourteenth day of pregnancy.
Doctors think it occurs because the fertilized egg attaches to the uterine lining, but bleeding stops a few days later.
Pain or tingling in the breast
The body’s hormones change when pregnancy occurs, especially estrogen and progesterone.
This, supports the growing fetus and leads to the emergence of several changes, including breast pain.
Fatigue and tiredness
Feeling very tired is one of the symptoms of pregnancy, especially in the first trimester, but some women may notice it before they know they are pregnant.
It happens due to hormonal changes especially, the increase in progesterone.
Increased urination
If you are urinating more often, it may be a sign of pregnancy.
Pregnancy increases blood flow in the body, increasing the frequency of urination which continues until the end of pregnancy.
However, one must take into account the amount of liquids a person consumes, which plays a large role in urination times.
Dizziness and lightheadedness
Blood pressure often drops with pregnancy and leads to dizzy spells, which usually appear in the second trimester, but some women may notice this very early.
Nausea and vomiting
Morning sickness may appear in the form of an aversion to food, nausea, or even vomiting in some.
This symptom may start early, and some may not experience it at all.
Darkening Areolas
Some dark circles around the nipple appear during pregnancy, start gradually and continue throughout the pregnancy.
However, some women may notice these changes early in pregnancy.
Bloating or constipation
Constipation and bloating may appear during pregnancy due to hormonal changes that reduce the digestive process and cause the accumulation of air in the intestines.
Increased sensitivity to smell
Women’s smell sensitivity may increase and is often associated with the first months of pregnancy.
Up to two-thirds of women become more sensitive and reactive to the smells around them during pregnancy.
Mood changes
Mood changes are very common during pregnancy due to the sudden surge in estrogen and progesterone levels.
Headache
Headaches appear in early pregnancy due to the increased blood flow and hormonal changes in the body.
Headaches are often associated with dehydration that may occur due to nausea.
Tips to increase chances of pregnancy
Some tips can help to increase the chances of pregnancy, for example:
- Having sexual intercourse during the ovulation days, also two or three days before this period, increases the possibility of pregnancy by 20% to 30%.
- Have regular intercourse every two or three days throughout the month.
- Quit Smoking; tobacco reduces fertility and affects the formation of the fetus.
- Limit alcohol intake; Because it reduces fertility in both males and females.
- Losing excess weight; As weight gain affects the regularity of the ovulation process and reduces fertility.
Finally, we answered the question Can you get pregnant right after your period ends?
We also learned the best time to get pregnant with some of the early signs of pregnancy.