Every month, a female’s body undergoes a process preparing it for pregnancy. Ovulation is a hormonal process that leads to the release of a fertile egg from the ovary. The egg travels through the fallopian tubes and reaches the uterus. If sperm manages to fertilise the egg, it gets implanted into the uterus lining and develops into a foetus. If it is not fertilised with a healthy sperm, the egg and uterine lining are shed during menstruation.
There are many ways to track ovulation and fertility cycles. One of the most common ways is the ovulation calculator. When you ovulate, an egg is released from its follicle within a few minutes or hours. After release, it is viable only for 12 to 24 hours and should be fertilised by a sperm.
The fertility window is calculated on the viability of the sperm and the egg. Since the sperm can survive inside the female reproductive system for about five days, it is considered best to have it waiting in the fallopian tubes before ovulation happens.
Time taken by sperm to reach egg
If you engage in sex soon after ovulation, the fastest sperm might reach the egg within half an hour. This period is sufficient for the sperm to fertilise the egg before it becomes non-viable for pregnancy. Having intercourse frequently on the days which lead to the ovulation increases the chances of getting pregnant than doing so on the exact ovulation day.
Step-by-step guide to conception
In case you plan to undergo treatment at the best IVF centre in Delhi, you need to mark your ovulation and menstrual periods to determine the best time for conception. After ovulation, the egg lives for 12 to 24 hours and must be fertilised in that time if a woman is to become pregnant. The burst of oestrogen inside the cervix before ovulation helps make clear, protein-rich jelly that covers the top portion of the vagina during sex.
This makes the vagina acidic, preventing thrush and other infections. It is also a suitable environment for sperm survival. The sperm swims into the cervix and survives in the mucus for up to five days before the ovary releases an egg. Upon release, it is covered in sticky cells, which help the fallopian tube to catch it. The sperm meets the egg in the fallopian tube where it digests the sticky cells.
While only one sperm is required to make a baby, several others need to attach themselves to the egg’s outer shell and membrane before one of them can enter and fertilise it. After fertilisation, the sperm and egg combine and divide to form an embryo. The body releases chemicals to stop other sperm from entering. Within the next four to five days, the fertilised egg divides and travels towards the uterus.
Implantation of sperm in the uterus
Progesterone, a hormone secreted into your bloodstream by the burst follicle, prepares the uterus for the egg to implant. As the foetus grows and implants itself into the female’s uterine lining and blood vessels, it sends strong signals to the ovaries to prolong and increase their production of progesterone, which is required for pregnancy to survive.
The implantation process takes place even when you undergo IVF treatment in India. The only difference here is that the sperm is injected into the egg outside the body, preferably in a laboratory setting. The embryo forms after careful observation and is then injected into the uterus for further development.
Getting pregnant
The best time to attempt a pregnancy is in the three to six days leading up to and including ovulation. The most fertile days indicated on the ovulation calendar varies depending on your cycle length. If you are using contraception, you need to stop using it if you plan to get pregnant.
There are no clear guidelines about when to stop using oral contraception if you are planning to get pregnant. The length of time that it takes for fertility to return differs for each woman. Some specialists suggest a woman should have three normal menstrual periods after stopping the oral contraceptive to allow their metabolic function to normalise.
Conclusion
You may get pregnant if you have regular ovulation cycles. While 28 days is the average, 21 to 23 days is the lower limit of the fertile cycle. You can conceive for the second time as well. If you have done it before, you are more likely to do it again.
