1. Menstrual Cycle: A woman's menstrual cycle, which typically lasts about 28 days, begins with the first day of menstruation.
2. Ovulation: Approximately 14 days before the start of the next menstrual cycle, the ovary releases a mature egg (ovulation) into the fallopian tubes.
3. Fertile Window: The days leading up to and including ovulation are considered the fertile window, when conception is most likely to occur.
4. Sperm Transport: During sexual intercourse, millions of sperm are deposited into the vagina. Healthy sperm can survive in a woman's reproductive tract for several days, increasing the chances of fertilization.
5. Sperm Meets Egg: If intercourse occurs during the fertile window, sperm can travel through the cervix, uterus, and into the fallopian tubes, searching for the egg.
6. Fertilization: When sperm encounters the released egg in the fallopian tube, one sperm penetrates and fertilizes the egg, resulting in the formation of a zygote.
7. Zygote Development: After fertilization, the zygote undergoes cell division as it travels through the fallopian tube toward the uterus.
8. Implantation: Approximately 6 to 10 days after fertilization, the zygote reaches the uterus and undergoes implantation, attaching to the uterine wall. This process usually takes a few days.
Overall, the process from ovulation to implantation, which leads to conception, can take around 1 to 2 weeks. It's important to note that conception can only occur during the fertile window, which is why timing is crucial for couples trying to conceive.