Saturday, January 19, 2008

How long does an egg "live"?

I've heard all different things. What have you heard?

7 comments:

KatieM said...

I used to think it was 12 to 24 hours, which I assumed was pretty standard. However, when my OB was figuring out my dates for how far along I was supposed to be back in Oct. she told me it's *possible* for an egg to be fertilized up to 48 hours after ovulation....but I would say the "average" is 24 hours.

Geohde said...

The accepted maximum is about 24 hours, but most are probably fertilised within 12.

J

Nico said...

I also heard the 24 hour thing... but have done zero research to back that up.

Did you ask your doc?

nancy said...

Nope. Haven't asked my doc, but I will.

With each of my IUIs, I've had ripe eggs at the morning appointment and I get triggered. Then the next morning, there is free floating fluid, indicating ovulation. So I always ovulate in the 24 hours in between trigger and insemination - backed up by u/s. I was just wondering what if I O'd immediately after trigger and it's 24 hours before insemination.

Happy said...

Like everyone else I heard 24 hours.

Birdee said...

I thought I heard 12-36 hours :)
But I'm thinking more like 12-24, Kind of like I hear sperm can live up to 6 days but more like 3.
I really dont know though (on either, what I learn and what is are two different things).

Dr. Grumbles said...

'bout 12 hours seems to be the most common answer