Detailed explanation of the process of natural conception
Natural conception refers to the process in which eggs and sperm naturally combine in the body and eventually develop into an embryo without the use of artificial measures. This process begins with fertilization and goes through many stages such as egg growth, ovulation, sperm migration, and union. The process of natural conception will be explained in detail below from the following aspects.
Egg growth and ovulation
Women are born with all their eggs. After sexual development, some of these eggs will gradually grow and mature to form follicles. Ovulation means that a mature egg enters the fallopian tube after the follicle in the ovary ruptures, waiting for sperm to combine. Ovulation is the most important part of the fertility process and generally occurs around the 14th day of each menstrual cycle. When the egg matures, the follicle-stimulating hormone secreted by the ovary will promote the egg to be released from the ovary and enter the fallopian tube, ready to be combined with sperm.
Sperm migration and binding
Sperm is produced by the testes in the male reproductive organ. With ejaculation, it enters the vagina in the female reproductive organ and enters the uterus after a short survival period (about 6-8 hours). The survival period of sperm depends on the environment within the reproductive tract and the quality of the sperm itself. After ovulation, the egg does not immediately combine with the sperm. Instead, it waits in the fallopian tube. During this process, the sperm continues to swim and finally combines with the egg. If the sperm and egg combine successfully, a fertilized egg is formed.
Formation of fertilized egg
After the fertilized egg combines with the sperm, it undergoes a series of changes rapidly: the surrounding egg membrane changes, preventing the sperm from entering the egg again; at the same time, the nucleus in the egg also changes, forming a haploid fertilized egg nucleus. . This process only takes 20-30 minutes. If fertilization is successful during this time, the fertilized egg is considered a \”fertilized egg.\”
Embryonic development
After fertilization, the fertilized egg enters the uterus and begins to develop. In the uterus, the fertilized egg multiplies into a multicellular embryo through continuous cell division. In the first few days of embryonic development, the fluid secreted by the embryo itself increases its size so that it can receive adequate nutrition and protection in the womb. On the fourth day, the small connected internal cavities of the embryo begin to form, and they eventually form the embryonic body cavity. The embryo gradually takes shape until around the seventh day, it is completely integrated into the mucosal layer. At this time, the embryo is also called a blastocyst. Beginning on day 8, the surrounding cells of the blastocyst begin to differentiate into outer cells and inner cells. At this time, the blastocyst splits through the shell door, and then the annular membrane begins to secrete progesterone, preparing to settle down and form an embryo.
In short, natural conception is one of the basic ways for humans to reproduce. From the growth and ovulation of eggs, the migration and combination of sperm, the formation of fertilized eggs and the development of embryos, they are all important steps in the natural conception process. Although there are many uncertainties and randomness in the whole process, it is these uncertainties and randomness that make every conception particularly precious and mysterious.
