The date of conception is the point when a woman becomes pregnant. It specifically refers to the time when a man's sperm fertilises a woman's egg. This begins the pregnancy in the woman and culminates in the birth of a baby. There are many stages in the process, which eventually leads to conception. At the point of conception sperm enters the woman whilst the man's penis is in the woman's vagina. Sperm can live for up to seven days in the female body. An egg is released from the ovaries and can live for 12-24 hours. The woman is said to be ovulating when the egg is released. If an egg is fertilised it travels to the womb and attaches itself to the lining, which is known as the endometrium.
Just one egg is released each month. Leading up to this time the endometrium layer is prepared to accept the egg. This period is called the menstrual cycle. If, when it is released, the egg is not fertilised then the lining of the uterus slips out from the female. The process where the lining is ejected is commonly known as a period. When an egg is fertilised it slowly travels to the womb, but whilst it is doing this it is also releasing hormones. These hormones tell the uterus not to eject the endometrium.
It is hard to know exactly when a woman is ovulating, but it is usually about fourteen days after the first day of her previous period. If a man and woman have sex the day before ovulating begins it should give the sperm enough time to reach the egg that has been released. This would be the time that gives the greatest possibility of conception.
Just one egg is released each month. Leading up to this time the endometrium layer is prepared to accept the egg. This period is called the menstrual cycle. If, when it is released, the egg is not fertilised then the lining of the uterus slips out from the female. The process where the lining is ejected is commonly known as a period. When an egg is fertilised it slowly travels to the womb, but whilst it is doing this it is also releasing hormones. These hormones tell the uterus not to eject the endometrium.
It is hard to know exactly when a woman is ovulating, but it is usually about fourteen days after the first day of her previous period. If a man and woman have sex the day before ovulating begins it should give the sperm enough time to reach the egg that has been released. This would be the time that gives the greatest possibility of conception.
