Despite several sources of knowledge, most of us are unaware of the fundamental questions about conception, pregnancy, and motherhood.
Like all other decisions in life, this too has to be carefully planned, and you as a couple should be physically and mentally ready for the journey.
While many call the journey nothing short of magical and life-changing, it may not be all unicorns, rainbows, and pixie dust for all.
Some couples have difficulty navigating through the experience as they may feel unprepared.
Of course, no standard procedure or clear-cut formula can be applied; becoming a family is mostly a learning experience.
What Is Conception?
Conception is the first step in pregnancy. It is the act of conceiving a child.
Conception is a process in which fertilization occurs when the egg and sperm fuse after intercourse, and implantation occurs when the embryo attaches itself to the womb.
The process itself may happen within hours or may take a few days.
From puberty, a woman’s body is constantly preparing for conception. Every month the uterine wall prepares itself for pregnancy.
The ovaries release the egg that waits to merge with the sperm.
Menstruation occurs when there is a failure in conception. When conception occurs, the woman becomes pregnant.
Conception occurs only after going through ovulation, ejaculation, fertilization, and implantation.
During pregnancy, the doctor usually calculates back to the date of your last menstrual cycle to determine the date of conception.
While this may not always be accurate, it gives the doctor an estimated time and helps to determine the date of delivery.
How To Ensure Conception?
It is usually said that conception happens whenever you have unprotected sexual intercourse.
However, this may not be true for everyone. Medical professionals typically calculate the best time to conceive to ensure maximum chance.
As mentioned earlier, every month, the body prepares itself for conception. When this fails to occur, women menstruate.
Once the menstruation cycle is complete, the body is again ready for conception. On the seventh day of the menstrual cycle, the ovary produces the ovum or the egg.
This further grows by the 12th day. Later the egg enters the fallopian tube and is pushed into the uterus to meet the sperm. This process is called ovulation.
When the egg fuses with the sperm, fertilization happens. This process is called ovulation.
Once ovulation is complete, the egg lives for 12 to 24 hours in a woman’s body. During ovulation, the body changes the vaginal environment to prevent infections and other discomforts.
It creates an environment that ensures sperm survival and promotes conception. The sperm can live in the body for up to five days. The introduction of sperm during intercourse is called ejaculation. I
n the following four to five days, the fertilized embryo travels to the womb and attaches or implants itself into the womb. The implanted embryo then grows into a baby.
The female body is most fertile during this period, and the chances of conception steadily increase during these days. Keeping track of the ovulation dates is essential for couples who intend to conceive.
Maximum contact during days of ovulation increases the chances of conception. The best time to try for conception is three to six days leading up to ovulation, including the days of ovulation.
The days of ovulation will vary depending on the menstrual cycle length. It generally occurs approximately two weeks before the next menstrual cycle.
In a 28-day menstrual cycle, the process of conception can be illustrated through the following timeline:
- Day One: Menstrual cycle begins
- Approximately By Day 14: Ovulation
- Within 24 Hours: Fertilisation and conception(Ovum and sperm meet)
- Approximately Six Days After: Implantation
- Approximately Day 21: Pregnancy can be confirmed
Timed Intercourse For Conception
A timed intercourse cycle is a method used to treat infertility. Most women think IVF or other assisted methods are the only way to conceive artificially.
The timed intercourse cycle is a simple process that helps couples get pregnant by timing and coordinating their intercourse to the ovulation cycles.
In this process, medical professionals advise frequent intercourse during ovulation when the woman is most fertile.
It involves oral medication and two low-risk hormone injections that help regulate ovulation in the woman.
This helps to induce ovulation, and the doctor will determine the best time for intercourse to increase the chances of conception. This is usually done in case of no ovulation or irregular ovulation.
The timed intercourse cycle will be determined by the doctor only after an ultrasound scan to assess the health of the follicles and the ovary.
The process is determined after observing the nature of the menstrual cycle.
Related:- What Happens To Your Body When You Stop Having Sex – Reasons Explained!
The medical professionals will determine eligibility for the procedure. It is usually advised for fertile persons who may require some help in conception.
Doctors may recommend a maximum of six rounds of intercourse to ensure conception.
FAQs
- When Is The Best Time To Have Intercourse?
The ideal time to have intercourse is on the days leading to and during ovulation. This is when the woman is most fertile, and chances of conception are much higher.
- Where Does Conception Happen?
Conception occurs in the fallopian tubes. The ovary releases the egg into the fallopian tubes, where it waits for 24 hours to get fertilized. The sperm swims up to the fallopian tube from the vagina to fuse with the egg.
- When Will Conception Fail?
It is not necessary that every time you have intercourse, it must lead to conception. Conception depends on factors such as age, genetics, hormonal imbalances, illnesses, medications, use of contraceptives, etc.
- Can We Feel Conception?
Conception does not usually have any accompanying symptoms. But some women may experience a rise in body temperature or soreness. There can also be light spotting after implantation.
- Can Women With Endometriosis Do Timed Intercourse?
Yes. A timed intercourse cycle is suggested for women with mild endometriosis. It must be diagnosed and recommended by a doctor.