Fertilization (also known as conception) may seem like a straightforward process, but understanding how it occurs helps you stay informed and take charge of your reproductive health.
Embrace can answer your questions and help you understand this process. You deserve to learn everything possible about your reproductive system–knowledge is essential to making educated decisions and understanding your body.
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What is Fertilization?
Fertilization occurs when an egg from a woman and sperm from a man join together. But what happens before then?
Your menstrual cycle plays a crucial role in this process. Every month, your ovary releases an egg that travels through your fallopian tubes to your uterus.
During this “journey,” the egg can be fertilized by sperm if it is present in your reproductive tract. These sperm cells are produced by the man during ejaculation (which occurs during sexual intercourse).
Ejaculation releases millions of sperm cells, but this doesn’t guarantee that the egg will be fertilized. Only if one breaks into the egg’s outer layer and fertilizes it–if this doesn’t happen, the egg dissolves, and you won’t get pregnant.
Following fertilization, the fertilized egg, or zygote, divides into increasing numbers of cells. It eventually reaches your uterus, where it will attach itself to the uterine lining and continue to grow. As time passes, some cells become the developing baby, while others become the placenta.
This implantation is essential to the pregnancy’s development; if it does not occur, the egg will expelled from your body during your next period.
How Often Does Fertilization Occur?
Even if both sperm and an egg are present, this doesn’t mean that fertilization will occur. Typically, conception occurs 25-30% of the time.
This rate changes based on several factors, including your ability to ovulate, fertility changes, other hormonal shifts, and more. Moreover, when you reach 35, the chances of conception begin to decrease.
If you are planning to become pregnant, it is crucial to have an open dialogue with your OB/GYN. They can provide further details about pregnancy, address concerns, and diagnose certain conditions that may complicate fertility.
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Embrace provides accurate information on fertilization, pregnancy, and more. Your questions will be answered in a non-judgmental, confidential environment.