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Get it nowWhether you’re in full-on panic mode after having unprotected sex or just Googling out of pure curiosity, it’s completely normal to wonder how fast pregnancy can happen. Spoiler alert: it’s not instant, but it can occur faster than you might think. From a sperm’s survival to fertilization, there’s a lot more going on behind the scenes than what you may have learned in health class. Whether you’re trying to get pregnant, trying not to, or just want to know how it all works, we’ll break everything down for you.
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Can you get pregnant right after sex?
The short answer: it depends. Getting pregnant right after sex isn’t guaranteed, as it all comes down to the perfect timing. For a pregnancy to happen, the sperm has to meet an egg during your fertile window, which is only a few days during each menstrual cycle before and right after ovulation. Even then, a few things must align just right, such as the sperm reaching the egg, fertilization occurring, and the fertilized egg successfully implanting into the uterine lining, which is a process known as implantation.
Simply put, pregnancy won’t happen right after having sex. Depending on your cycle, the reaction between sperm and an egg in the next couple of days.
Timeline from sex to conception
Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of how pregnancy occurs:
- Transport of sperm: After unprotected sex, sperm travels through the cervix and uterus to reach the fallopian tube. It can live there for up to 5 days waiting for an egg to release.
- Release of an egg: Once ovulation happens, the egg will need to make its way into the fallopian tube.
- Fertilization: For fertilization to occur, one sperm must successfully meet the egg, which can take as little as 15 minutes after sex. New research shows that eggs actually play a big role in selecting which sperm they accept for fertilization—it’s not just the fastest swimmer to reach the egg.
- Implantation: The fertilized egg (which is now an embryo) must travel to the uterus to implant itself in the uterine lining to start pregnancy. This process typically takes up to 10 days.
- Detectable on at-home tests: After about 2 weeks, enough pregnancy hormone will usually be present in the body to show up on an at-home pregnancy test.
How long sperm can live in the body
Sperm have a high survival rate, as they can remain in the body for up to five days, awaiting the release of an egg.
When ovulation happens and why it matters
Ovulation—the release of an egg from an ovary—typically occurs about 14 days before your next period, and is prime time for pregnancy to occur.
When are you most likely to get pregnant?
Timing is everything when it comes to pregnancy. You’re the most fertile during a small window each cycle, so knowing when you ovulate is essential.
What is my fertile window?
Your fertile window is the period during your cycle when the chances of getting pregnant are super high. It typically occurs a few days before ovulation, on the day of ovulation, and during the period when sperm and egg are most likely to meet.
Can you get pregnant outside of the fertile window?
Yes, but the chances of that happening are pretty low. Cycles are unpredictable, especially if you have irregular ones. That’s why using birth control is always a good route if you’re not trying to get pregnant.
How long does it take to start having pregnancy symptoms?
Early signs of pregnancy, such as swollen or tender breasts, nausea, or fatigue, can appear around one to two weeks after sex. Some people don’t experience any symptoms, which is also completely normal. The best time to take a pregnancy test is about two weeks after sex, since it takes that long for the pregnancy hormones in your body to start showing up on an at-home test.
How long does it take to get pregnant?
Although fertilization can occur quickly, getting pregnant, including implantation and subsequent events, can take several days to happen.
For people trying to conceive
More than half of couples can become pregnant within the first six months of trying to conceive. However, factors such as age, health, and the regularity of your cycle can play a significant role in how soon or later pregnancy occurs.
What to do if you don’t want to be pregnant
If you’re not looking to get pregnant, you’ve got a few options you can explore:
- Birth control, such as the pill, IUD, patch, ring, and the shot, can help prevent pregnancy. Barrier methods like condoms and diaphragms (we recommend Caya) are also great short-term birth control options if you’re not looking for a long-term contraceptive.
- Emergency contraception, such as the morning-after pill, can delay or stop ovulation after unprotected sex to prevent pregnancy.
- Abortion pills (mifepristone and misoprostol) can safely end a pregnancy if you’re already pregnant.
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