Thinking about starting a family? Understanding ovulation is key. The big question: Can you get pregnant when you're *not* ovulating? The short answer is generally no. Ovulation is when your ovary releases an egg, which needs to be fertilized by sperm for pregnancy to occur.
However, there's a crucial caveat. Sperm can survive inside the female reproductive tract for up to five days. This means if you have unprotected sex a few days *before* ovulation, those little swimmers could be patiently waiting when that egg finally drops.
Therefore, while direct pregnancy without ovulation on that specific day is impossible, pregnancy *can* result from intercourse occurring in the days leading up to it. Irregular cycles can make pinpointing ovulation difficult, increasing the chance of conception even when you think you're not ovulating. If you are concerned about your cycle or fertility, consult your doctor.
