What Happens After Ovulation? 1 DPO to 14 DPO

Once ovulation happens, one of two things will happen.

If the egg is fertilized, it begins dividing as it travels toward the uterus.

If the egg is not fertilized, it breaks down and your period will come as usual.

Here is the simple day by day version of what may be happening from 1 DPO to 14 DPO.

DPO means days past ovulation.

1 to 2 DPO

Ovulation has just happened.

The egg has been released and is moving through the fallopian tube.

If sperm are already there, fertilization may happen within about 12 to 24 hours after ovulation.

If fertilization happens, the sperm and egg combine to form one new cell called a zygote.

That cell starts dividing.

3 to 4 DPO

The fertilized egg continues dividing into more and more cells while moving through the fallopian tube.

You still cannot feel this happening.

At this stage, implantation has not usually happened yet.

5 DPO

The developing group of cells may now form a blastocyst.

This is the stage that will eventually reach the uterus and prepare to implant.

6 to 7 DPO

The blastocyst may begin reaching the uterus.

Implantation can start around this time for some pregnancies, although it often happens a little later.

8 to 10 DPO

This is a common time for implantation to happen.

The blastocyst attaches to the lining of the uterus and begins embedding into it.

Once implantation starts, developing placental cells begin producing hCG, the hormone pregnancy tests detect.

11 to 12 DPO

If implantation has happened, hCG may now be rising.

Some very sensitive pregnancy tests may detect it.

But a negative test at this stage does not always mean you are not pregnant.

It may simply still be too early.

13 to 14 DPO

For many women, this is around the time their next period would be due.

If pregnancy has occurred, hCG may now be high enough for a home pregnancy test to detect.

If pregnancy has not occurred, your period will usually begin around this time.

What symptoms can happen during this time?

This is where things can get confusing.

After ovulation, progesterone rises whether you are pregnant or not.

That can cause:

Breast tenderness.

Bloating.

Fatigue.

Cramping.

Mood changes.

Changes in discharge.

These can also happen in early pregnancy.

So symptoms alone cannot reliably tell you whether conception happened.

Can you feel fertilization or implantation?

You cannot feel the sperm fertilizing the egg or the early cells dividing.

Some women notice mild cramping or spotting around implantation, while many feel absolutely nothing.

Not having symptoms does not mean implantation has not happened.

The easiest way to think about it

1 to 5 DPO: Fertilization may happen and the cells begin dividing.

6 to 10 DPO: The developing blastocyst reaches the uterus and implantation may begin.

11 to 14 DPO: hCG may start rising enough for a pregnancy test to detect.

A huge amount can be happening during these two weeks, even when there is nothing obvious to see or feel.

Read next

• Pregnancy Week 3: Fertilisation and the Very Beginning of Pregnancy

• The Two Week Wait: What Is Actually Happening in Your Body?

• When Does Implantation Happen, and Can You Feel It?

• When Should I Take a Pregnancy Test?