Pre-Pregnancy Birth Control & fertility

How Not to Get Pregnant

Pre Conception

In a relationship and not ready for pregnancy yet? Here are some tips on how to avoid unwanted pregnancy and practice safe sex.

Is there a “safe” time when I can avoid pregnancy without using birth control precautions?

Many couples want to avoid pregnancy but do not want to use contraceptive measures. Formal contraception is also not allowed in certain religions. At such times, it is practical to use the “Calendar method” or “Safe Period” or “Rhythm method” to have intercourse without protection.

Generally, if your cycles (time from the start of one period to the next) are 28 days duration, then you will ovulate on day 14 (count start of your period as day 1). The sperms can stay alive for 3-4 days and the egg for 1-2 days. Hence, 5 days before and 5 days after your ovulation time is your fertile or “unsafe” period. So the time from day 21-28 and 1-7 may be considered relatively safe.

But it is important to remember that it can take between three and six monthly cycles to learn about your fertility pattern, so this method should be combined with a barrier method until you are confident about using it.

Can I get pregnant during my period?

Many couples think that is impossible to get pregnant during a period, but this is not so. Pregnancy can occur from intercourse that takes place during a period. This is because sperm can live in the body for up to five days, and if a woman ovulates soon after her period, then conception could take place from intercourse that occurred during her period.

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