What is Conception?
Conception, sometimes referred to as fertilization, is the beginning of mammalian pregnancy. It’s when a female egg and male sperm meet, creating a fertilized egg, which will eventually grow into a baby. While most people only think of conception as a single event, it’s actually a process that begins up to several days before the moment when a sperm and egg physically connect.
The Process That Precedes Conception
The process of conception starts when the woman’s body begins to prepare for ovulation. The hormone estrogen increases, signalling the female body to prepare in anticipation. Before the ovulation, follicles inside the woman’s ovaries contain the egg cells. The release of luteinizing hormone (LH) causes the follicles to break open and the egg is released. The fertility window is the time during which conception is most likely to occur due to an egg being available. There are multiple methods that can be employed to detect when this window is occurring, such as tracking the changes in the body’s temperature, detecting the presence of LH in the urine, or using ovulation test kits.
On the other hand, preparing for conception requires a man’s body to produce healthy sperm. For most sexually active men, this isn’t an issue; however, for some, fertility testing can be needed to confirm his sperm count is sufficient. If a man has a low sperm count or other issues that can impede a healthy pregnancy, he may need to explore medical intervention before conception can occur.
The Actual Moment of Conception
For conception to happen, a sperm must enter the egg in the fallopian tube and combine with the woman’s egg. Upon entering the egg, the sperm releases enzymes that help protect it during the fusion process. This event is known as fertilization. After the fusion is complete, the egg absorbs the sperm and begins the process of cell division that will eventually develop into a baby. Once the egg is fertilized, it starts an immediate journey to its host, the uterus. It takes up to six days for the egg to reach the uterus, and when it does, the embryo implants itself into the wall of the uterus and the pregnancy officially begins.
Conception marks the beginning of life, but its process can be a complex one that requires careful monitoring and preparation ahead of the actual moment when a sperm and egg join. Knowing how to identify the female fertility window and understanding the man’s sperm quality are essential to ensure the best chances of a healthy conception.