Hellobee Boards

I have always heard that you are most fertile 1-2 days before O. O day is already too late.
As far as the egg disintegrating, I think they mean that there needs to be presence of sperm in the vagina. I think that I remember reading or hearing at some point that the chemistry of the vagina changes when there's sperm present? So maybe if it's not there "waiting" for the egg the egg says "ok, nothing here, time to peace out"?
I don't know this as fact at all, I'm guessing based on a faint memory I have and what Ovia told you.
But the fertility 1-2 days before O I know for sure I've heard multiple places.

Meh, it may be the best chance but I wouldn't say it's required. My son was a surprise conception 48 hours after ovulation.

Yes, our RE said same thing as ovia. Also, it takes sperm 8-9hrs to capitulate (I think I'm remembering the term correctly,) so if you are having sex on ovulation day only, it still takes sperm 8-9hrs afterwards to be ready and able to actually fertilize the egg. That's why they harp on having sex before.

For my first two pregnancies, we were doing cycle monitoring with s fertility clinic and we got the whole "doctor says intercourse tonight" phone call the day before ovulation and the day of ovulation - I think both times I had already ovulated when they did the ultrasound and they said sex even that night, so at least 12 hours after ovulation, was not too late. And I got pregnant first time both attempts.
With my third pregnancy, I just used digital OPKS and it wasn't until the fourth cycle when I used Clear Blue Advance and they give you your four most fertile days, that we got pregnant. That was after a miscarriage so maybe that's why it took longer, or maybe we needed the extra days to maximize our chances.
Anyway, I guess my point is that ovulation day is obviously not too late for some people, but a few days before can be perfect timing too. I would cover my bases and try hit every day you think you are fertile.

@daniellemybelle: I see what you mean! Once I get a positive, we would BD that night and the following two and got pregnant three times that way. I mean, you are fertile before you get a positive (since sperm can live a while) but I don't think you need to BD THAT far in advance. And unless you have a super predictable cycle, there is no way to know that.

Good luck!

I always thought the sperm had to be up there waiting in advance of ovulation. Either way, have sex.

2 days before O is great, that way the sperm are already there waiting. The egg only lives 12-24 hours so if you have sex when you are ovulating you can risk them missing each other. Also, you can O anywhere from 12-48 hours after your + OPK. The only way to confirm O is by temping (so if you are marking O day by your OPKs, you can be off a day or two). I got pregnant with both of mine from having sex 4 and 5 days before O (4 before O with #1, 5 before O with the #2). Sperm can definitely survive a couple of days in there.

Oh and for the gender thing, I have one of each so I don't put much stock into those gender theories. If they help one way, it is probably a pretty insignificant percentage.

@daniellemybelle: I just saw this and it is a quick and simple explanation of when you are most fertile and why.
Chances of getting pregnant by BD after ovulation are pretty unlikely. I would think that most people who say they did got their O date wrong.

http://www.parents.com/getting-pregnant/trying-to-conceive/ovulation-getting-pregnant/

And here's another (but I'm not familiar with the source) that shows the odds of getting pregnant from 5 days before O to 3 days after. The highest odds are 1-2 days before. Im not so sure they are super accurate (since I do think chances of getting pregnant 5 days before O is not a 0% chance) but I think the overall idea that 1-2 days before is ideal and after O is pretty low chance is accurate.
http://m.newhealthguide.org/Can-You-Get-Pregnant-After-Ovulation.html