Even if you remember a little bit from your biology class, are you curious about how pregnancy actually works and what to expect? Let's explain the entire process from the very beginning - from conception.
In today's article you will find out:
- How the process of conception occurs from a biological perspective
- What happens in the body immediately after fertilization and implantation of the egg
- What are the first signs of pregnancy you may feel (even before you miss your period)?
- How to confirm pregnancy and other necessary steps
The process of conception: the beginning of pregnancy
Ovulation
Each cycle a woman has (roughly once a month) releases a mature egg, ready for fertilization , from one of her two ovaries . This moment is called ovulation. The egg enters a nearby fallopian tube, which leads to the uterus, and this usually takes a few days.
Fertilization
An egg survives for 12-24 hours after release, but male sperm can survive in a woman's body for up to 5 days after unprotected sex, waiting for the moment when the egg is ready. ( 1 )
When sperm enter a woman's body, they must first overcome all obstacles and safely navigate through the cervix and uterus to the fallopian tube. Only the strongest sperm can reach the egg itself. Once one of the sperm penetrates the egg, the egg is fertilized and together they form a single cell (called a zygote ). The newly formed structure travels through the fallopian tube to the uterus . Along the way, it divides rapidly, forming a ball of cells known as a blastocyst .
|
In rare cases, the fertilized egg will begin to divide and two embryos will be formed . This means that from one sperm and one egg , twins are created that have identical genetic makeup. Another extraordinary situation occurs when each ovary releases one egg in the same menstrual cycle (in a normal cycle, the ovaries alternate and only one of them releases an egg each cycle). Each of these eggs can then be fertilized by a different sperm, resulting in fraternal twins – non-identical twins . |
Implantation
Implantation is the process by which a fertilized egg attaches itself to the uterine wall . This process is usually completed 8-10 days after ovulation. (2 ) It is at this point, after implantation, that pregnancy officially begins.
|
If implantation does not occur, the fertilized egg will leave the body during menstruation. Conception does not automatically equal implantation or pregnancy. |
One part of the attached blastocyst begins to develop into an embryo (=future baby) and the other half forms the placenta .
The placenta’s main tasks include ( 3 ):
- Provides oxygen and nutrients to the fetus
- Provides maternal hormones that are essential for the baby's growth and development
- It removes waste products such as urea or uric acid
- Produces pregnancy hormones
First signs of pregnancy
The first sign that fertilization may have occurred is a missed period. A late or missed period does not always mean that you are pregnant, but it is a good idea to take a pregnancy test in such cases.
However, you may experience some symptoms even before your period is expected ( 4 ):
- Breast tenderness or pain
- More frequent urination
- Back pain or cramps similar to menstrual pain
- Fatigue or sleep disturbance
- (morning) nausea or vomiting
- Staining
“Up to 1 in 4 women experience some degree of bleeding or spotting during pregnancy.” ( 5 )
Why does spotting occur?
Spotting: Spotting is considered a small amount of light red or pink blood and there is no need to use any menstrual protection, or a panty liner will suffice.
Especially in early pregnancy, spotting is normal and usually not a cause for concern. A common cause in early pregnancy is what’s called implantation bleeding . This is the result of the fertilized egg attaching to the uterine lining. (6 )
However, if you suffer from prolonged bleeding during pregnancy that is similar to menstruation, we recommend consulting a doctor so that he can rule out conditions such as an ectopic pregnancy.
|
Some early pregnancy symptoms may overlap with the premenstrual syndrome (PMS) symptoms that women experience in the late luteal phase, such as spotting, breast tenderness, fatigue, and sleep problems. Therefore, the presence of these symptoms does not necessarily indicate pregnancy. |
Pregnancy confirmation
If you miss a period, you usually need to take a pregnancy test. How does it work? A test can detect pregnancy by checking a urine or blood sample for a specific hormone called hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin). After the egg implants in the uterine wall, its levels rise rapidly during the first few weeks of pregnancy. There are two ways to measure hCG levels:
Urine pregnancy tests are relatively accurate (up to 97-99% accurate ( 7 )) when used correctly and are readily available at any pharmacy. However, it is best to wait until a week or two after your missed period to allow your hCG levels to rise enough for the test to detect them. ( 8 ) Testing too early may not detect the hormone, and you could get a negative result even though you are pregnant.
Blood tests can also be used to measure hCG levels. These are slightly more accurate and can detect pregnancy before a missed period . However, blood tests are usually done by a doctor or in a lab, and the results may take a few days to come back. This is why women usually prefer the first method, which is faster and has similar accuracy.
Once the test shows a positive result , you need to visit your doctor to perform all the necessary examinations.
Do you know how you can naturally support conception and the beginning of pregnancy? What tests await you during pregnancy or how to choose a suitable maternity hospital and prepare for a smooth birth?
Then you might be interested in one of our webinars Preparing for Pregnancy and Childbirth! Check out the 90-minute, practical information-packed online webinar and see if it will help answer your questions!
