text: Your egg is only viable for about 24 hours after ovulation, but sperm can live for about 3 days in your vagina.  The problem with "ovulation dates" is that you can't depend on them.  Your body reacts to stress and other factors which can cause you to ovulate early or late.  The best way to tell you are "ripe and ready" is by your cervical discharge. When it looks like egg whites (thick, clear or whitish, and stretchy) you are ready for insemination.  You can check your cervical discharge with a finger inserted near your cervix or (for the squeamish) by checking your tissue after you wipe.