What is Conception?

Conception is one of the most important steps in becoming pregnant and starting a new life. It is the act of fertilising an egg by sperm, resulting in the formation of a new individual. This process marks the beginning of a pregnancy and is essential for any successful pregnancy outcome and the birth of a healthy baby.

The first step in conception is the release of an egg from the ovaries, a process known as ovulation. This normally occurs at a specific time of the menstrual cycle and can be estimated from the day of the last menstrual period. The egg, once released, needs to make its way towards the fallopian tube, where it can be fertilised by a sperm cell.

The female ovaries contain many eggs and during the course of a life time, all of them will eventually be released and can be fertilised. Sperm cells, on the other hand, are produced continually, sperm cells are considered “mature” and capable of fertilising an egg after roughly three months.

Timing is Everything

The process of conception, like all other biological life processes, is guided by certain time-dependent variables. For example, sperm cells are extracted and become mature over a period of three months, whereas eggs are released monthly, usually at mid-cycle or 14 days after the beginning of the last menstruation.

In order for conception to take place, the egg and sperm cells must reach the fallopian tube at the same time, which needs to take place within 24 hours of ovulation. Additionally, only a limited number of sperm cells are able to reach the egg and initiate the process of fertilisation.

Factors Affecting Conception

There are various factors that can influence the process of conception, such as a couple’s age, lifestyle factors, existing health conditions, and even factors within the couple’s environment. Primarily, the quality of sperm and eggs may be decreased due to ageing, illness, exposure to toxins, or smoking.

The woman’s health before and throughout her pregnancy is also critical, as this is the main factor that determines the development of the fertilised egg and the health of the baby. Nutritional deficiencies and pre-existing conditions, such as diabetes, can also have an impact on conception.

Emotional Factors

It has also been suggested that emotional factors can influence the success of conception and pregnancy. Many couples feel frustrated and overwhelmed during the process of trying to conceive, since this may be a lengthy period and accompanied by heavy emotional stress.

Therefore, it is recommended that couples take steps to alleviate the physical and emotional stress associated with conception before they actually start trying to conceive. Practising relaxation techniques, paying attention to nutrition, avoiding toxins and staying as healthy as possible are all important steps towards a successful pregnancy.