Every month, the reproductive organs in a healthy woman prepare for pregnancy. Show
A complex interaction between the pituitary gland in the brain, the ovaries and the uterus work to create the perfect environment for ovulation (the release of an egg) to occur, for the sperm and egg to meet and for the fertilised egg to implant itself in the uterus. A step-by-step guide to ovulation
The menstrual cycle A step-by-step guide to conceptionAfter 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 just before ovulation also works inside the neck of the uterus (the cervix) to make protein-rich clear jelly that covers the top of the vagina during sex. This makes the vagina acidic (which prevents thrush and other infections). This is also a suitable environment for sperm survival. The sperm rapidly swim up and into the cervix, where they can survive in the mucus for up to five days before an egg is released. When the egg is released at ovulation, it is covered in sticky cells, which help the fallopian tube to catch it. The egg and the sperm meet in the fallopian tube where the sperm start to digest the sticky cells. While it takes only one sperm to make a baby, several need to attach to the outer shell and the membrane of the egg before one can enter and fertilise it. After fertilisation, the egg and sperm very quickly merge and divide to become an embryo and chemicals are released to stop other sperm from entering. Over the next four or five days the fertilised egg continues to divide and to travel towards the uterus. The hormone progesterone, which is secreted into your blood stream by the burst follicle (now called the corpus luteum) prepares the uterus for the egg to implant. As the pregnancy grows and implants itself into the mother’s uterine lining and blood vessels, it is sending an increasingly strong signal to the ovary to prolong and increase its production of progesterone, which the pregnancy needs to survive. Getting pregnantThe best time to attempt a pregnancy is in the three to six day leading up to and including ovulation. The most fertile days will vary depending on your cycle length. If you are using contraception you will need to stop using it if you plan to get pregnant. There are no clear guidelines about when to stop using the Pill (oral contraception) if you are planning to get pregnant. Some health professionals suggest you have three normal menstrual periods, after stopping the Pill, to allow your metabolic function to return to normal. The length of time that it takes for fertility to return will differ for each woman. It is possible, although rare, for a woman to fall pregnant while on the Pill. There is no evidence that this causes problems for the baby. DisclaimerThe Women’s does not accept any liability to any person for the information or advice (or use of such information or advice) which is provided on the Website or incorporated into it by reference. The Women’s provide this information on the understanding that all persons accessing it take responsibility for assessing its relevance and accuracy. Women are encouraged to discuss their health needs with a health practitioner. If you have concerns about your health, you should seek advice from your health care provider or if you require urgent care you should go to the nearest Emergency Dept. Can an egg be fertilized 24 hours after ovulation?Following ovulation, the egg is capable of fertilization for only 12 to 24 hours. Contact between the egg and sperm is random. Once the egg arrives at a specific portion of the tube, called the ampullar-isthmic junction, it rests for another 30 hours.
What happens to the ovum after 24 hours?Once an egg is released from an ovary, it will die or dissolve within 12 to 24 hours if it's not fertilized. If fertilization doesn't occur, the egg and your uterine lining will shed. This results in menstrual bleeding about two weeks later.
How long can the ovum be fertilized after it is released from the ovary?An egg only survives 12 to 24 hours after ovulation. If sperm doesn't' fertilize the egg, your body reabsorbs it.
What happens within the first 24 hours of fertilization?For the first 12 hours after conception, the fertilized egg remains a single cell. After 30 hours or so, it divides from one cell into two. Some 15 hours later, the two cells divide to become four. And at the end of 3 days, the fertilized egg cell has become a berry-like structure made up of 16 cells.
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