A woman gets pregnant when a man's sperm fertilizes her egg.
The Process of Conception
The journey to pregnancy begins with sexual intercourse, where semen containing sperm is released into the woman's vagina. From there, the sperm must travel through the cervix, uterus, and into the fallopian tubes. Here's a breakdown:
- Sperm's Journey: Sperm can survive in the fallopian tubes for up to 7 days after sex, patiently awaiting the release of an egg.
- Ovulation: Each month, a woman's ovary releases an egg. This process is known as ovulation.
- Fertilization: If a sperm encounters an egg in the fallopian tube, fertilization can occur, resulting in conception.
Key Factors in Pregnancy
Several factors are critical for successful conception:
- Timing: Fertilization must happen within a short timeframe, shortly after ovulation.
- Sperm Quality: The sperm needs to be healthy and mobile to successfully navigate the female reproductive system and fertilize the egg.
- Egg Health: The egg must be healthy and capable of being fertilized.
- Reproductive Health: A woman's reproductive organs must be in good health to allow for conception.
Multiple Pregnancies
Occasionally, more than one egg is released during ovulation. If multiple eggs are fertilized, it can lead to a multiple pregnancy, such as twins.
| Process | Description |
|---|---|
| Sperm Release | Semen is released into the vagina. |
| Sperm Travel | Sperm travel through the cervix, uterus, and into the fallopian tubes. |
| Ovulation | An egg is released from the ovary. |
| Fertilization | A sperm meets and fertilizes the egg in the fallopian tube. |
| Implantation | The fertilized egg travels to the uterus and implants in the uterine lining. |
