Which are the fertile days of a woman?

In order for conception (pregnancy) to be achieved, the man's spermatozoa (sperm cells) have to meet the woman's oocyte (egg). In other words, there has to be sexual contact with a fertile man during the days of ovulation. Ovulation is the period when the mature oocyte (egg) leaves the ovaries, where it has developed, and starts moving within the fallopian tube. Within the next 24 hours, it has the potential to be fertilized. Some women understand when their ovulation takes place, for there is increase in their vaginal fluids and they may also feel a slight pain in the area around the ovaries. 

Ovulation usually takes place 14 days before the first day of a woman'sr period (menstruation). Thus, in a woman with a stable 28-day menstrual cycle, ovulation will occur around the 14th day. However, most young women do not have a stable menstrual cycle (i.e. every cycle of theirs may have different number of days) and even women with a stable menstrual cycle may not have ovulation on the same day every month. Indicatively, depending on the cycle, fertile days may be as follows: 

Most times it is difficult for a woman to calculate her ovulation day so that she can know for sure when there is a chance for getting pregnant. Therefore, there are special tests sold at pharmacies to show every woman when her ovulation is to take place. These tests work almost like pregnancy tests but have to be repeated every 8 hours). The most reliable way to know is for a woman to address herself to her Gynecologist, who will submit her to a vaginal ultrasound scan, predicting her ovulation within 48 hours before it occurs. 

It has to be underlined that, if an oocyte (egg) fertilizes, this does not necessarily mean that a woman will get pregnant; in about 30% of cases attempts to conceive are unsuccessful.

 Lastly, it should be known that sperm cells can live within a woman's body up to three days; thus, fertile days for every couple are actually more.