Pregnancy
It is vital to know how our bodies function; their inner workings affect all aspects of our lives. In this blog, we’ll discuss the intricacies of pregnancy. For human life to start, a lot of complex processes need to take place. What are these? When can pregnancy occur?
Stages of Pregnancy:
The following are the steps taking place within the body during and after vaginal sex has taken place.
The first step is Sperm Transport. In this process, “the sperm must be deposited and transported to the site of fertilization [the fallopian tube].” In other words, the sperm needs enough stamina to make it to the uterus and then be precisely positioned to connect with the egg.
According to Healthline, “during natural conception, sperm have to travel from the vagina through the cervix, into the uterus, and up to the fallopian tubes”. This is a cooperative process between the functional properties of the seminal fluid and the sperm. Additionally, there are adaptations of the female reproductive tract that facilitate the transport of the sperm cells to the ovulated egg. In essence, these systems have evolved to complement one another biologically and encourage potential life.
Next, Egg Transport takes place. In this stage, “ovulation must occur and the egg must be ‘picked up’ by the [fallopian] tube.” After ovulation, the released egg needs to be ‘transported’ from the ovary to the uterus.
There are cilia within the fallopian tube, little tiny hair-like structures that, along with muscular contractions, create a forward motion for the egg to continue its journey. “Transport through the tube takes about 30 hours."
Generally, the perfect moment for potential fertilization is sometime between days 10 - 14 of the menstrual cycle with the ovulation of the mature egg. At that moment, the journey through the fallopian tubes begins.
Fertilization and Embryo Development occur next. Time to say hi! To progress to this third stage, “union between the sperm and egg must result.'' A team of sperm cells swims across the vaginal canal, aiming to unite with the mature egg, though only the most vigorous will survive the voyage, and of all those who do, only one (sometimes two) sperm cell will be chemically compatible with the egg and will be able to fertilize it.
Last but not least, “The embryo must implant and begin to grow in the uterus,” this is known as Implantation. When the sperm cells unite with the ovulated egg there is an opportunity for successful implantation and conception, which takes place inside the uterus. A fertilized egg will begin to divide into more cells until an embryo develops.
There are additional conditions for getting pregnant that sometimes determine whether or not one of the above steps is completed successfully. Firstly, the sperm must be healthy enough to propel themselves through the fallopian tubes. Secondly, the environment inside the uterus must be baby-friendly, which means the womb owner needs to be in the right moment of their menstrual cycle.
“Pregnancy doesn’t start the day you have sex — it can take up to six days after sex for the sperm and egg to join and form a fertilized egg.”
— Planned Parenthood, How long after sex does pregnancy occur?
Some contraceptive methods disrupt the natural environment of the uterus making it harder for sperm cells to reach the egg or for implantation to accour. According to Planned Parenthood, “Up to half of all fertilized eggs naturally don’t implant in the uterus — they pass out of your body during your period.” Implantation is ultimately the step that will determine whether or not a pregnancy takes place, since “When a fertilized egg implants in the uterus, it releases pregnancy hormones that prevent the lining of [the] uterus from shedding — that’s why people don’t get periods when they’re pregnant.”
Though vaginal intercourse is the biological route to pregnancy, other methods have been developed, such as donor insemination and in vitro fertilization. These later processes typically take place in a medical setting and even though they generally follow the steps mentioned at the beginning of this blog, the places where they take place might vary (i.e. instead of fertilization taking place inside of the fallopian tube, it might take place in a controlled laboratory environment for later insertion into the uterus).
Trying to get pregnant?
Tracking ovulation and being inseminated on the correct day(s) is essential. Knowing that an egg can live for about 24h after its release into the fallopian tubes and that the sperm deposited inside of the uterus could survive up to 6 days, what does the math say? Having sex some days before the day you expect ovulation might increase your possibilities of pregnancy! (Visit our blog about Menstruation to find out more about tracking ovulation.)
A late period is a potential indicator of conception. Many home pregnancy tests check the HCG hormone levels in urine to assess whether one is pregnant or not, but a visit to the gynecologist is the best way to get confirmation. Urine tests, even though practical, might not always be accurate. Much like condoms, their efficiency depends on proper use. According to Better Health, a urine pregnancy test can give a false-positive result due to contamination of the sample or a false-negative result if taken too soon after a missed period.
Planning for and understanding the nuances of pregnancy stands to introduce new, intimate self-awareness of both body and mind. Therefore, listen to the inner voice of your own body and understand it, physically and mentally. When there is a disconnection with ourselves, a disconnection with our surroundings follows. Education is key, especially sex education, which ultimately broadens the knowledge of life itself. Pregnancy is more than just conceiving a baby, it involves internal processes, external changes, feelings, longings and fears; it’s important to discuss all these with our partners or potential partners, visit our blog Talking About Pregnancy for some tips on how to have these conversations. For more information on how to achieve your individual pregnancy goals, have a chat with your healthcare practitioner.
