How does the fertilization process proceed? How the process of conceiving a child occurs day by day. Increased PMS symptoms

Fertilization is the process of fusion of female (egg) and male (sperm) germ cells, which leads to the formation of a new single-celled organism (zygote). It is this moment that many consider the beginning of a new life and the starting point of pregnancy. Let's find out in more detail how fertilization occurs and at what stages the risk of death of the unborn fetus may arise.

The fusion of egg and sperm is called the process of fertilization.

The structure of male reproductive cells

Normally, the formation of sperm capable of fertilization begins in a person during puberty (12-13 years). A mature sperm consists of a head, neck and tail. The most important part is concentrated in the head, where the nucleus is located, which delivers the father's genes to the egg.

The function of the tail is movement; it is this part of the sperm that allows it to move at a speed of 2-3 mm per minute and reach the uterus and fallopian tubes. Sperm are found in semen. It is a viscous whitish liquid, where, in addition to the germ cells, the secretion of the seminal vesicles and prostate is determined.

During sexual intercourse, 3-5 ml of sperm enters the vagina, where there are about 300-400 million sperm. Normally, most of them have normal mobility and correct structure. In the vagina they die within a few hours, but, having reached the fallopian tubes, they can remain viable for another three days.

A man produces sperm throughout his life. Their complete renewal in the human body occurs approximately once every 2-2.5 months.

The sperm nucleus contains the father's genetic information.

Female reproductive cells

A woman is born with a certain supply of eggs. When the supply of eggs is depleted, menopause occurs. Therefore, if a man is theoretically able to conceive a child at any age, then a woman is given a limited amount of time.

During puberty, a girl's follicles acquire the ability to mature and rupture so that the egg can be released into the abdominal cavity and can enter the fallopian tube for fertilization.

This process occurs approximately once a month in the middle of the menstrual cycle and is called ovulation. It is during this period that the egg can meet with the sperm to conceive.

A mature human egg does not have independent mobility, unlike a sperm. Its movement occurs under the influence of the suction peristaltic effect fallopian tube and flickering of epithelial cilia. The egg consists of a nucleus, where the genetic information of the mother is concentrated, the zona pellucida and the corona radiata.

The ability to fertilize is highest immediately after and it persists throughout the day. Subsequently, the death of the egg occurs. In women, this process is manifested by menstrual bleeding.

The egg is surrounded by a transparent membrane and a corona radiata.

Where and how does the process of human fertilization take place?

During sexual intercourse, sperm usually falls on the posterior vaginal fornix, with which the cervix comes into contact. Normally, the environment in the vagina is acidic, which makes it possible to weed out weak and non-viable sperm. The surviving male cells enter the uterus, where the environment is alkaline and begin to move more actively towards the fallopian tubes.

Important! On normal days, the cervix is ​​covered with a dense mucus plug, but during the period the permeability of the mucus increases, which allows sperm to penetrate to the site of fertilization.

After ejaculation in the vagina, only a few minutes pass and active sperm can already be found in the uterus. After 2-3 hours they reach the end sections of the fallopian tubes, where the egg is located. They can exist there for two days, maintaining their ability to fertilize and waiting for an egg. If this does not happen, the sperm die.

The process of fertilization (fusion) itself occurs in the expanded (ampullary) part of the fallopian tube. Here thousands of sperm rush towards the egg. The transparent shell of the egg and the cells of the corona radiata allow only one or several sperm to penetrate the egg. But only one of them will participate in fertilization.

Important! In rare cases, there is a reaction disorder and the egg is fertilized by several sperm. This process is called polyspermy and leads to the formation of a non-viable zygote.

The meeting of the sperm and the egg ends with the fusion of their nuclei, where the genetic material is not simply summed up, but mutually united and the formation of a single zygote nucleus occurs. This is how genetic material is transferred to the child from both parents.

How does this process proceed day by day?

The zygote stage lasts for one and a half days. Soon it begins the process of cell fragmentation, resulting in the formation of an embryo. It moves slowly through the fallopian tube and reaches the uterus only 7-10 days after fertilization. The movement of the embryo occurs due to the flickering of the cilia and the peristaltic activity of the fallopian tube itself.

Then it is introduced (implantation) into the mucous membrane of the uterus and is immersed in its functional layer. This process takes about 2 days.

After implantation is complete, the embryo and its membranes begin to develop rapidly. It gradually becomes overgrown with vessels, which ensures its nutrition and respiration. After all these stages are completed, a fruit is formed, surrounded by amniotic fluid and three shells.

7-10 days after fertilization, the embryo implants into the body of the uterus.

What problems may arise during the fertilization process?

On the one hand, fertilization is a natural biological process that occurs on its own and, as a result, is born new life. But couples who are faced with infertility perceive it completely differently. Let's look at the reasons why we most often fail to conceive a child the first time:

• sexual intercourse occurred when the woman was not ovulating, i.e. no egg in the fallopian tube;
• sperm turned out to be non-viable and did not reach the egg during ovulation;
• obstruction of the fallopian tubes, which prevented the sperm and egg from meeting;
• the egg was fertilized by several sperm and the embryo died;
• fertilization of the egg has occurred, but with a defective sperm - in such situations the zygote dies in the early stages;
• the process of transport of the embryo into the uterus is disrupted and implantation occurs in the fallopian tube (ectopic pregnancy) - death of the embryo and a condition that threatens the woman’s life;
• the embryo reached the fallopian tube, but could not implant due to the thin functional layer of the uterus or its absence (this happens after an abortion). A miscarriage occurs before the woman even finds out she is pregnant.

Here is only a small list of problems due to which the process of fertilization and the beginning of pregnancy may be disrupted. Some interruption mechanisms are due to nature’s protective reaction for the birth of healthy offspring, for example, the death of an embryo with defective anomalies. Others occur due to health problems in both men and women. In order not to think about how fertilization occurs, you need to monitor the state of your reproductive system and plan your pregnancy.

The birth of a new life is a real miracle. How much must happen for a cell to turn into a person? Knowledge of where this truly unique process begins will be useful when planning pregnancy and expecting a child.

Conditions for fertilization

A girl can become pregnant from the moment her menstruation begins. In each such cycle, processes occur that prepare the woman’s body for conception. We are talking, first of all, about developing the necessary hormones regulating the maturation and ovulation of the egg.

Hormonal imbalances can lead to negative consequences: delayed ovulation, its complete absence, termination of pregnancy, infertility.

During the normal process of egg maturation, ovulation occurs in the middle of the cycle. Egg leaves the follicle and ovary, enters the fallopian tube and moves along it towards the uterus. The internal contents of the egg are protected by a dense protein shell, in which nutrients are also concentrated.

The time for fertilization and conception is limited to 24 hours. If nothing happens during this time, the egg will die.

Sperm before fertilization

In the male body, under the influence of hormones, sperm are formed. Their maturation occurs in the testicle, then they enter the epididymis, after which, moving along the vas deferens, they reach the seminal vesicles and prostate gland. It is in this gland that sperm are mixed with internal secretions. This is how sperm appears. She ends up taking part in the process. fertilization.

During sexual contact About five hundred million sperm enter the female genital tract along with sperm. Along the way, the weakest cells are eliminated, but only hundreds reach the goal. Large screening occurs when moving through the mucus plug in the cervix: only the fastest and most mobile penetrate inside. The advancement process does not end when it enters the woman’s internal genital organs. Purpose spermatozoa is the fallopian tube. This is where fertilization of the egg occurs. Before that the immune system women destroy another part of the sperm as carriers of foreign genetic material.

The best time for fertilization

A woman's body is best tuned to fertilization on the eve of ovulation. Therefore, for couples planning a pregnancy, it is ideal if sexual contact passes at this time.

On the eve of ovulation, the fallopian tubes are most mobile, the mucus in the cervix thins, and the activity of cellular immunity decreases.

When sexual intercourse occurs two to four days before ovulation, the strongest, healthiest and most tenacious sperm can wait for the egg to mature in one of the sections fallopian tube.

If sexual intercourse took place before ovulation, sperm are already waiting for the egg. In this case, given the speed of sperm movement, there is a possibility that fertilization will occur within an hour after ejaculation.

Otherwise, the chance of conception remains within 24 hours after ovulation. It is not possible to accurately calculate the time of ovulation by day or hour, so fertilization is possible even on the seventh day after sexual intercourse. If this does not happen, the couple planning a pregnancy has to wait for the next cycle.

Fertilization process

So, how does egg fertilization occur in humans? Let us remember that it can only happen during the period of ovulation (about a couple of weeks before the next menstruation).

Fertilization is the fusion of an egg and a sperm. Usually, several male germ cells secrete enzymes go into attack. The outer shell is destroyed. Most often, one of the sperm reaches the goal.

After the union of male and female reproductive cells, a dense membrane is formed around the egg, preventing further penetration of sperm.

The fertilized egg is called a zygote. She begins to move towards the uterus. Most often, its progress through the fallopian tube takes from five to seven days. During this period, active cell division is observed.

A week later, the embryo implants into the wall of the uterus. The production of the hCG hormone begins. Germ receives oxygen and nutrients.

Whether pregnancy occurs is determined by the presence and concentration of the hCG hormone in a woman’s blood.

If pregnancy does not occur

Many couples who have no problems conceiving children find it difficult to understand those for whom having a child, for various reasons, seems like an unattainable dream. Do not panic if pregnancy does not occur on the first (second or third) try. It is believed that the reason to consult a doctor is a one-year period of regular unprotected sexual activity, during which conception has not occurred.

With the modern level of medical development, many couples can be helped: after treatment, they have long-awaited babies. In some cases, with male and female infertility the only solution is artificial insemination.

The essence of in vitro fertilization, or IVF, is in vitro fertilization. The egg, removed from the body of the expectant mother, is combined with the sperm of the future father artificially, in a test tube. After this, the embryo is placed in an incubator for two to five days. Then the embryo, again artificially, is transferred to the woman’s uterus, where its further development occurs. If it is impossible to obtain an egg or sperm from future parents, donor cells.

Thus, the seemingly simple and natural process of fertilization has many pitfalls. But for the sake of the happiness of the birth of a child, future parents, with the help the latest achievements medicine overcome all difficulties and obstacles.

How many days after intercourse does conception occur? We will try to understand this issue further. We will also study the basics of pregnancy planning. What does a woman need to know about this? And when can you have sex without protection without the risk of becoming a mother soon? Answers to these questions and more will be offered below. In reality, everything is not as simple as it seems. And even girls who have given birth will not always be able to quickly understand the area they are studying.

About the menstrual cycle

On what day after intercourse does conception occur? Unfortunately, there is no way to quickly understand this area. It all depends on the specific situation. Therefore, next we will consider theoretical data and real facts. They will help you understand when you can have sex without protection and risk becoming parents.

After puberty, the female body faces hormonal processes. For example, with menstruation. The period between critical days is called the menstrual cycle.

Depending on this indicator, the time of conception and the periods when a woman is more likely to become a mother will change.

The menstrual cycle happens:

• normal - 28-30 days;
• short - 15-25 days;
• long - 32 days or more.

In addition, sometimes there are women whose periods come in different ways. It is more difficult for them than others to plan children. After all, it is extremely difficult to predict the next menstruation.

How long after intercourse does conception occur? And when are the chances of success greatest? In addition to the length of the cycle, it is necessary to understand into what phases the time between critical days is divided. A lot depends on this.

Phases of menstruation

The thing is that a woman always has a risk of pregnancy during unprotected sex. But on certain days of the cycle it is higher. And this is normal.

There are the following stages of the monthly cycle:

• follicular;
• ovulatory;
• luteal

Your chances of getting pregnant increase during ovulation. After just a couple of days, the success of conception will be reduced to a minimum.

During the follicular phase of the critical cycle, it is almost impossible for a woman to become pregnant. After all, the egg has not yet matured. This means you don’t have to worry about an unwanted pregnancy.

About the process of conception

How many days after intercourse does conception occur? First, let's talk about this process in general terms.

With the beginning of a new menstruation (or at the very beginning of one or another “critical cycle”) in female body The egg begins to slowly mature and develop. After monthly bleeding, the follicular phase of the cycle begins. It is characterized by the active growth of the female cell.

During ovulation, an egg is released from the follicle. At this moment she is ready for fertilization. Next, the egg moves to the uterus through the fallopian tubes. This process takes about 48 hours. And it is at this time that a successful conception of a baby can occur.

Having reached the uterus, the unfertilized egg will live for about 2 more days. After this she dies. The luteal phase begins - the period of preparation of the body for the next critical days.

Fertilization by sperm

When does conception occur? Quite a long time may pass after sexual intercourse. Not every modern girl is aware of the details of the process being studied. And that's why sometimes it happens unwanted pregnancies. You can try to avoid them.

Let's consider the general case - when a couple deliberately plans a pregnancy. This will make understanding the topic being studied much easier.

Suppose unprotected sex occurred during the period of ovulation. Sperm enter the female body and begin to quickly move towards the egg. At this moment she is ready for fertilization.

Only the fastest and most active sperm will be able to penetrate the cavity of the egg. This moment can be considered a successful conception. It takes from 2 to 6-7 hours. This means that after ¼ of a day we can talk about pregnancy.

However, everything is not so simple. It will not be possible to recognize it immediately. This happens much later.

After fertilization

What changes and processes occur in the female body after successful conception? What happens to the egg? It begins to divide and move through the tubes to the uterus for attachment and further development. This “journey” lasts up to 7 days.

After implantation of the female cell in the uterine cavity, active growth and development ovum. And after 14-15 days, the pregnancy test should show two lines.

How long after intercourse does conception occur? The egg can be fertilized in six to seven hours. After unprotected sex, it attaches to the uterus approximately 20-24 days into the menstrual cycle. But the girl should not have problems with ovulation.

Sex before ovulation

How quickly does conception occur after intercourse? This process can take from two to seven hours. That is why, in case of emergency protection with oral contraceptives, it is recommended not to delay in taking the appropriate pills.

Some people wonder if sex before ovulation can lead to pregnancy. Yes, if he was unprotected.

The point is that:

• ovulation may come at the wrong time;
• sperm live in a woman’s body for some time.

This means that we cannot say with confidence that planning a child is possible only during ovulation. It’s just that if you have sex before “day X,” conception will happen a little later.

About the life of sperm

On what day after intercourse does conception occur? There are a lot of options for the development of events. But they all depend on ovulation and sperm viability.

Ideally, male cells that are ready for fertilization can live in a female body for about a week. This means that pregnancy can occur during ovulation even when unprotected sex has occurred for a long time. Situations like this are not that rare.

Sometimes sperm live in a woman’s body for only 1-2 days. Fortunately, this is extremely a rare event.

Symptoms of Success

We found out when conception occurs after intercourse. The symptoms of this event are almost impossible to feel. At least until the egg reaches the uterus. There, as we have already said, attachment to the wall of the uterus will occur for further development. This process is called implantation.

This is exactly what women can feel. During implantation, a slight nagging pain occurs. It is felt in the lower abdomen. Sometimes implantation bleeding appears - a few drops of blood or spotting from the vagina. Bleeding lasts from a couple of minutes to 3-4 hours.

Body temperature and conception

How long after intercourse does conception occur? We have already sorted out this issue. There is no way to answer it unequivocally.

Let's talk a little about ways to determine an interesting position at first. Only certain categories of girls can do this without much difficulty. For those who keep a basal temperature chart.

If BT stays at up to 37.5 degrees Celsius for 3-4 days longer than usual, you can judge successful conception. But this option for identifying an interesting position is not suitable for everyone. You will have to wait about 2 weeks until the pregnancy appears in full swing.

First signs of pregnancy

The process of conception can occur either a few hours or a week after unprotected sex. Both situations are completely normal. After all, sperm live in a woman’s body for some time after ejaculation. And they can wait until ovulation with an egg ready for fertilization.

Now let's look at the first real signs of an interesting situation. We will talk about a situation in which more than 10 days have passed since fertilization. That is, the time is approaching for the next critical days.

At this point, it is customary to highlight the following phenomena:

• abdominal enlargement;
• bloating;
• toxicosis;
• pain in the abdomen;
• intolerance to certain odors;
• mood swings;
• fast fatiguability;
• drowsiness.

In addition, a clear sign of pregnancy is a delay in menstruation. If bleeding does not start on time, it is recommended to wait a couple more days and take a pregnancy test. By this time, 2 stripes or “ghosts” should appear on it.

Important: you can take a blood test for hCG. An increase in this hormone in the body most often indicates successful conception. But it is better to carry out the process on the day of a missed period or after this incident.

What affects ovulation

How long does it take for conception to occur after intercourse? This process takes no more than a few hours. But sometimes you have to wait for “day X” for a very long time. Especially if a woman has problems with ovulation.

It is important to remember that the rate of egg maturation is influenced by various factors. And therefore conception can happen unexpectedly. All days of the cycle are conditionally considered “dangerous” in the absence of planning an interesting situation.

Doctors most often identify the following factors influencing ovulation:

• bad habits;
• stress;
• fatigue (emotional and physical);
• change in weather conditions;
• chronic diseases;
• reception oral contraceptives;
• STD;
• size of the menstrual cycle.

This is not a complete list of circumstances that can speed up or slow down ovulation. But it is these factors that are found in real life more often.

Anovulation and conception

Sometimes even with unprotected intercourse during expected ovulation, a woman does not become pregnant. Why is this happening?

If a man is healthy and has motile sperm, it is worth assuming that the woman experienced anovulation in one or another menstrual cycle. This is a process in which there is no ovulation. With it, critical days can come after 2 full cycles.

Important: normally, anovulation can occur in a girl no more than 2 times a year. IN otherwise It is recommended to consult a doctor.

With anovulation it is impossible under any circumstances. After all, in fact, in a woman’s body the egg will not mature for the studied process. This means there will be no pregnancy either.

When does ovulation occur?

We have studied everything. How many days after the act does fertilization occur? This question will not cause any more trouble. And as you may have already noticed, successful fertilization occurs only during ovulation. This period may begin earlier or later than expected. But when should you expect ovulation?

At normal cycle“Day X” can be expected 12-16 days after the start of the last critical days. Usually ovulation occurs on the 14th day. This is normal.

With a long cycle, the favorable time for conception is 20-25 days of the cycle. If the difference between the critical days is small, you can wait for “day X” for 7-10 days.

Important: there are different methods for determining ovulation. And the principle proposed above is called calendar.

How to determine ovulation

When conception occurs after sexual intercourse, we answered. And we also got acquainted with some of the features of this event. A few words about how to determine the favorable time of conception.

On this moment There are such methods for determining “day X”:

• calendar;
• test;
• medical;
• physiological;
• according to the BT schedule.

We have already dealt with the calendar reception. Now let's study other options for the development of events.

If you determine ovulation using a basal temperature chart, then it is worth keeping records of several menstrual cycles. BT measurements are carried out daily. The indicators are plotted on a graph. During ovulation, body temperature reaches 37-37.5 degrees Celsius.

The physiological method of determining the favorable time for conception is not particularly effective. But women often observe during ovulation:

• increased sexual desire;
• increased vaginal discharge;
• pain in the ovaries and abdomen.

This method, as already stated, should not be relied upon. It is better to give preference to other methods of determining auspicious day conception.

For example, test. It involves conducting a rapid test at home. The measuring device resembles a pregnancy test. The woman must urinate on the test strip and wait for the result. One line - ovulation will not come soon, two - the favorable time has come for conception. It is recommended to take the test in the middle of the menstrual cycle.

The most reliable method for determining ovulation (and pregnancy as well) is a medical method of bringing the idea to life. It is based on an ultrasound examination. The operation is performed approximately in the middle of the menstrual cycle.

During an ultrasound, the specialist will see not only the position of the egg, but will also be able to report the onset of pregnancy. To accurately “catch” ovulation, it is recommended to carry out the procedure once every 3-4 days from the middle of the monthly cycle.

Results

How long after intercourse does conception occur? Ideally, this process takes several hours. But in exceptional cases, sperm in the female body can wait up to 7 days for the right moment.

We studied all the features of planning pregnancy and determining ovulation. Now there shouldn't be any problems with this.

It doesn't show up right away. And even doctors will not be able to say for sure whether a girl will be able to become a mother at one time or another. You'll have to be patient and wait a little. For example, before a missed period.

How many days after intercourse does conception occur? This only takes a few hours! If a woman does not want to become a mother, she will have to carefully choose contraception.

Belinsky Kirill, 6 years old

The process of conceiving a child is practically no different from how it happens in other forms of mammals, but over the long nine months he needs to go through a more complex path. Today we want to go a little deeper and look in detail, step by step, at what actually happens in a woman’s body. early pregnancy, when she still does not even suspect that she will soon become a mother. The process of conceiving a child is not the act of love itself between a man and a woman, but what happens after that.

The path of the sperm to the egg

The process of conceiving a child begins with the release of seminal fluid into the woman’s vagina. In a relatively small amount of a nutrient solution, which also helps reduce the acidity of the vagina, there are about 3 million sperm. Each of them carries an X or Y chromosome, and depending on which of them manages to penetrate the egg first, a boy or a girl will be formed. But we got ahead of ourselves a little. The process of conceiving a child has not yet begun. Spermatozoa capable of fertilization simply entered the body. Now their long and difficult journey to their goal begins. They can remain active for 9 days, and if during this time they are lucky enough to meet a mature egg on the way, then their life will not be lived in vain.

How does fertilization occur?

Fallopian tubes are paired organs that connect the uterine cavity with abdominal cavity. They are equipped with ciliated epithelium, the cilia of which are directed inward. Of course, for a reason. They are necessary to push the egg towards the uterus. This is where the mature egg is surrounded by sperm. After ejaculation, about 500 million sperm reach the back wall of the vagina, near the cervix. Each of them strives to penetrate her, but only one succeeds.

To carry out the process of conception, the sperm must reach the egg and fertilize it. To do this he needs to go through:

• two centimeters of the cervix,
• five centimeters of the uterine cavity,
• twelve centimeters of the fallopian tube.

After this, the sperm enters the ampulla, where it connects with the egg.

The process takes two to three hours due to the barriers that the environment itself creates inside the woman.

The environment of the cervix changes, allowing seminal fluid to penetrate to the ovulated egg.

The vaginal environment is not suitable for sperm. The main amount of seminal fluid does not reach further than the vagina, even though the sperm can suppress the vaginal environment. The death of sperm in the vagina occurs after two hours.

Fertilization of the egg will occur only when at least ten million sperm have entered the uterus. There the sperm are activated and continue their journey into the fallopian tubes.

At the end of the tube, sperm fertilize the egg, or wait for it if it has not yet formed. Many of them become entangled in the epithelium and remain there, dying after 5 days.

When sperm reach the egg, they have another task - to break through the protective membrane.

The head of each sperm contains an enzyme that can dissolve the membrane of the egg. When one sperm pierces the membrane, it produces fertilization. However, it is the movements of all sperm that help one to break through. The head of the sperm penetrates the egg and fusion occurs. After this, the tail falls off. It has completed its motor function and is no longer needed. At this moment, the surface of the egg changes. Now it is already a zygote, and other sperm are not allowed to enter it. After a couple of days, the remaining sperm die.

Where do twins and twins come from?

When one egg is divided into several, already fertilized, twins are born.

Sometimes, in a woman, during the process of ovulation and conception, not one ovulated egg is formed, but two or three at the same time. In this case, they can be fertilized, and the mother also bears two children, but they will not be alike, like two peas in a pod. Twins will be born.

It is unlikely, but if 2 sperm penetrate the egg and are involved in development, a profound disruption of the fertilization process occurs. As a result, the embryo or even the zygote dies. This is possible with polyspermy - too high a concentration of sperm or poor physiological condition of the egg, which should normally ensure monospermic fertilization.

When does pregnancy begin (implantation)

Fertilization is not pregnancy. This is just the beginning. When the nuclei of the egg and sperm combine into one, a zygote is formed. After about a day and a half, division begins. While still in the fallopian tube, it is already turning into a complex complex of cells. And 48 hours after fusion, the zygote completes the first stage of division. Now these are two cells called blastomeres. They are still very large in size, but gradually the number increases and the cells decrease. In this case, the zygote remains the same size.

The fallopian tubes are a completely unsuitable place for intensive growth. Therefore, on the 4th day of its life, the zygote begins to move to the uterus, where it must subsequently attach - be implanted.

Where and how does egg implantation occur?

On the fifth to seventh day after fertilization, the egg determines a suitable place in the uterus and the implantation process begins. Now her long journey is over, there will be a cozy home here for the next 38-40 weeks. By the way, at this stage the power source for it is corpus luteum, which means that a woman’s lifestyle does not have any influence on the development process. The diameter of the embryo now does not exceed 0.5 mm. Literally after a few days, that is, on the 9-10th day of its existence, the zygote is completely immersed in the wall of the uterus. This period lasts about 40 hours and is called implantation.

It is the moment of implantation that is most significant for the developing embryo. If the embryo is successfully fixed, it is more likely to cope with other difficulties. If the embryo is sick and weak, the woman’s body may reject it even at this stage of pregnancy. Another reason for the failure of the implantation process is the unhealthy state of the endometrium of the uterus, which does not allow the embryo to attach.

If something went wrong

Ectopic pregnancy

This is when the zygote, for some reason, cannot enter the womb prepared for it in the uterus and is attached to the fallopian tube. Since the process of conceiving a child occurs precisely in the fallopian tube, nature provides for the modest size of the zygote - the number of cells in the zygote increases, but it itself retains its original size - it simply breaks up, but does not grow. It remains so small until it enters the uterus, where there is room for growth and development. However, adhesive processes can lead to a narrowing of the tubes, and the egg simply has no other options but to penetrate the wall where it stopped, that is, in the tube. What happens next? It continues to divide and increase in size, which will lead to rupture of the fallopian tube. If emergency measures are not taken, the consequences can lead to large blood loss, infertility in the future, and even the death of the woman.

If implantation does not occur

If implantation does not occur, the egg will be destroyed. Menstruation will begin, after which the cycle will repeat. The woman will not even know that she was so close to becoming pregnant.

A woman’s sensations are the first signs of pregnancy

If this is your first pregnancy, then most likely you will write off all these as simple malaise. However, women who already have children are much more sensitive to the signals that the body sends. These days you may experience implantation bleeding. At first glance, it looks like the beginning of menstruation, with which it is often confused. It is now that hCG begins to be produced. Because of it, a woman feels nausea in the morning, weakness and drowsiness. Almost everyone notes that the breasts fill up and become very sensitive. In addition, there is a tingling sensation in the uterus, a slight heaviness in the lower abdomen.

What to do to increase your chances of conceiving a child

Monitor ovulation

The best process of conceiving a child occurs not at the beginning or end, but precisely in the middle of the menstrual cycle in women. At this moment, the ovaries create a ready-made egg.

Very useful to keep track of. Does this mean taking your temperature every morning and drawing graphs for months? In general, yes, but today there are special tests that show the onset of a favorable period for conception. The appearance of two stripes indicates that ovulation has occurred. The egg has left the ovaries and is ready to meet the sperm.

The process of a formed egg emerging from the ovaries is ovulation.

An egg ready for conception, into which sperm can enter, will be in this state for only 12 to 36 hours.

It is during these hours that fertilization should occur. After 36 hours, if it does not take place, the egg simply dies and is released with blood during the next menstruation.

Proper nutrition

A woman’s body must be full of strength and energy, otherwise it simply will not take on such responsibility as bearing a baby. Therefore, it is very important to eat right, eat a lot of vegetables and fruits, herbs, and take vitamins.

Traditional methods (herbal infusions)

Concerning traditional medicine, then she also offers a number of ways. For example: tea made from linden flowers improves the functioning of the ovaries, an infusion of carrot seeds is useful for a man, as it improves the quality of sperm. An infusion of boron uterus relieves inflammation and improves the menstrual cycle. Additionally, it is recommended to lie down for 10-20 minutes after sexual contact. This will allow sperm to enter the uterus faster. And, of course, think about your baby, because thoughts are material.

Conception is a complex mechanism and its success requires certain conditions, which not all men and women who want to have a child have.

Fertile period– this is a favorable time when the egg is most likely to be fertilized. The reproductive cell leaves the ovary and “awaits” a meeting with the most active sperm for only two days, while sperm can “watch” for the long-awaited release of the egg for up to five days. Taking into account both factors (female and male), the duration of the fertile period is up to eight days. There are several ways to determine ovulation (calendar, basal temperature, special tests), which the gynecologist will tell you in more detail, taking into account the individual duration of the menstrual cycle. So, with a 28-day cycle, fertilization is most likely from days 10 to 18 of the cycle.

Reproductive health– of course, if there is a violation of spermatogenesis and/or the ovulation process or other serious problems that negatively affect fertility (hormonal imbalance, pituitary tumors, diseases of the endocrine glands, etc.), we are not talking about successful conception, except perhaps with the help of ART.

Frequency of sex– many couples are mistaken in believing that the more often you have sex, the faster and more likely pregnancy will occur. In fact, when a man ejaculates frequently, the quantity of sperm decreases and its quality deteriorates. Therefore, before the next attempt, the partner must rest for two or three days to restore spermatogenesis. But it is also true that couples who have sex infrequently (once a week or less) reduce their chances of parenthood by about 10 times.

The desired position - many women “become sophisticated”, becoming after sex either in the “birch tree” position, or some other gymnastic position, in the desire to keep the sperm inside themselves. The best position for fertilizing an egg is individual and depends on the structural features of the genital organs. Ideally, it is better to discuss this issue with your gynecologist.

Hygiene – soap solutions change the pH of the vagina, which can negatively affect the viability of sperm. It is recommended not to use a hygiene product after intimacy, also no need to douche.

Among these conditions there is no main one; only under the total “successful” combination of circumstances will fertilization of the egg occur. And if you cannot “catch” ovulation on your own, then it can be determined using ultrasonography; the maturation of the follicle is visualized using an ultrasound machine.

Stages of fertilization

The fertilization process, controlled by the hypothalamus, goes through several stages before the formation of a full-fledged embryo:

1. Ovulation is the process in which the egg leaves the sex gland (ovary), in which it is formed and, after rupture of the follicle, is evacuated into the fallopian tube (oviduct), where the fusion of the female and male gametes should occur, that is, fertilization. The egg is released approximately two weeks before the start of the cycle, approximately in the middle of the cycle, provided that the cycle is regular. A slight deviation in the timing of this process is considered normal.
2. Formation of the corpus luteum- the egg left the follicle and transformed into a temporary endocrine gland - the corpus luteum, which should produce progesterone (pregnancy hormone) and estrogen. Under the influence of progesterone, the endometrium (inner uterine layer) thickens for the successful attachment of the embryo to it. This is the most important stage on which depends whether pregnancy will occur at all.
3. Penetration - after the gametes meet, the sperm must still penetrate the egg for fertilization to occur. To do this, the sperm “attacks” the zona pellucida female gamete to destroy it. The head of the sperm contains hyaluronidase, with which it destroys the corona radiata. There is scientific evidence that one sperm cannot cope with the destruction of the strong pellucid membrane of the egg. In this process, the dominant sperm that will perform fertilization is assisted by other sperm.
4. Overcoming the shell– to penetrate under the membrane of the egg, the sperm uses an acrosome (a vesicle with hyaluronic acid), which interacts with ligands (a molecule associated with an acceptor) present on the zona pellucida. At the point of contact, the barrier membrane is destroyed, where the sperm penetrates.
5. Cortical reaction– having “let in” one sperm, the egg is protected from the rest with the help of enzymes released into the external environment. Thanks to these enzymes, the zona pellucida becomes impenetrable and prevents sperm from reaching the egg.
6. Zygote formation– a cell, a form of embryo, containing a double set of chromosomes and is the result of fertilization. The duration of the stage is 26–30 hours.

The embryo goes through several stages in its development:

• crushing - moving along the fallopian tubes with the help of epithelial cilia, the zygote enters the uterus, where mitotic division begins, during which the number of zygote cells (blastomeres) increases, but their size decreases. Division can be synchronous, when cells divide simultaneously, or asynchronous. The blastomeres are identical, not connected to each other, and are held in place by the zona pellucida, if damaged, the embryo will disintegrate into individual cells or groups. In such cases, two or more independent identical embryos may occasionally be formed, giving rise to the development of identical twins. The duration of the process is up to three days;
• differentiation - the embryo develops an embryoblast (inner layer, cell mass) and a trophoblast (outer layer), which ensures contact between the mother’s body and the embryo;
• morula - when the zygote stops dividing, the morula stage begins - early development of the embryo;
• blastula - when a cavity or bubble appears in the embryo, it becomes a blastula - the final stage of division of the fertilized egg;
• gastrula (gastrulation)– in the embryo, germ layers (leaves) are formed in the form of ectoderm (outer layer) and endoderm (inner layer);
• neurula - a neural plate is formed in the embryo, which closes into the neural tube;
• Organogenesis is the final stage of the process of fertilization of the egg, during which tissues and glands are formed, which subsequently form the organs and systems of the fetus.

After fertilization of the egg, on days 7–10, the turn begins the most important process– implantation, if it does not happen, then a miscarriage will occur even before the fact of pregnancy is established. To securely anchor in the endometrium, the trophoblast throws out peculiar processes with nutrient fluid, which are immersed in the uterine layer. By this time, progesterone has already prepared the endometrium for the implantation of the blastocyst: the layer has become thick enough to surround the implanted embryo on all sides. In turn, the trophoblast secretes human chorionic gonadotropin, which stimulates the corpus luteum to produce progesterone and prevent the onset of menstruation.

If for some reason the transportation of the zygote to the uterine cavity is disrupted, the embryo will attach to the fallopian tube, that is, an ectopic pregnancy will occur.

According to religious and social beliefs, after a sperm fertilizes an egg, a new human life begins. Even more than 50% of atheists in Russia support this version, about 65% believers, about 50% men, 74% women. which, with high viscosity and large quantities, can completely “block” the path of male reproductive cells to the uterus, which often becomes the cause of infertility. There must be at least 10 million sperm trying to fertilize the egg, then conception will be successful.

Moving against the direction of fluid flow, sperm enter the fallopian tubes. As the fluid in the tubes flows from the ovary to the uterus, the sperm moves from the uterus to the gonad. In the tube (in the ampullary part) there is already an egg released from the follicle, where fertilization occurs, namely, the fusion of the nuclei of the sex cells of a man and a woman. At this stage, the genome of the future child is laid. In some cases sex cell can be fertilized by several sperm (polyspermy), which, as a rule, causes the non-viability of the zygote. If the fertilization process does not occur, then the endometrium (functional layer) is rejected and, together with the dead egg, is excreted as menstruation.

When using ART, germ cells and the embryo go through the same stages of development, except for the direct fusion of two gametes, which is carried out in laboratory conditions. The embryo also develops in vitro under sterile conditions until it reaches the implantation stage.