Egg Survival
Conception
Obie Editorial Team
Q: How long does an egg live?
A: Sperm usually reach the fallopian tube and the egg within minutes after intercourse. But the first sperm reaching the egg cannot fertilize the egg because they are not ready yet. Sperm need about 12 hours in your uterus before they can fertilize the egg in a special process called capacitation. That's why the best time to make love is the day before and the day of ovulation. Not the day after.