You primarily know if an egg and sperm have met through the resulting pregnancy, confirmed by a positive pregnancy test. While fertilization itself is unnoticeable, some women experience subtle signs after conception.
Signs Following Fertilization (Conception)
It's crucial to understand that fertilization itself is an internal microscopic event; you won't feel it happen. However, the process of implantation, which occurs after the fertilized egg travels down the fallopian tube and attaches to the uterine wall, might cause some noticeable symptoms. These are not guarantees of conception, but some women report:
- Light spotting or cramping: This can occur several days after conception as the fertilized egg implants in the uterine lining. The provided reference mentions this possibility: "You may feel a dull ache or experience light spotting several days after conception. This could be from the fertilized egg implanting in your uterus."
- Changes in cervical mucus or basal body temperature: These are signs of ovulation, before fertilization occurs. Tracking these can help predict a fertile window but doesn't directly confirm fertilization. The reference states: "You may notice signs that you've ovulated, such as changes in your cervical mucus or basal body temperature. However, most people don't feel fertilization."
Confirming Conception
The most reliable way to know if an egg and sperm have met and resulted in conception is through:
- A positive pregnancy test: Home pregnancy tests detect the hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), which is produced by the developing placenta after implantation.
- A doctor's confirmation: A medical professional can confirm pregnancy through blood tests (measuring hCG levels) or ultrasound scans which can visualize the gestational sac and embryo/fetus.
Therefore, while subtle symptoms might hint at the possibility, only a positive pregnancy test or medical confirmation definitively proves fertilization has occurred.
