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THE BEGINNING OF A NEW LIFE
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FERTILIZATION
The manner in which a woman falls pregnant will be discussed on this page, followed by a graphic presentation of the process. This discussion should also help couples planning a pregnancy. It will give them a better understanding of the process. It will also explain why it sometimes takes months for the female partner to conceive. It is important to understand that a woman releases only one egg cell per month ( on average one every 28 days). If a pregnancy is desired the timing of intercourse (sex) should coincide with ovulation. The graphic presentation will help to explain why the greatest chance to become pregnant is at the time of ovulation. The real fertile period is however slightly longer. It is possible for some sperms to survive up to seven days and for the egg cell to survive up to three days. This means that the fertility periods lasts from seven days before until three days after ovulation. The best chance to conceive is however the days around ovulation. Unfortunately for people who want to use the non fertile days as a way of contraception , it is possible for ovulation to occur unexpectedly at other times. These unexpected ovulations occur seldom. but the so called save period is still less reliable than other forms of contraception. See CONTRACEPTION |
A Graphic Presentation of Fertilization.
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This drawing shows the egg cell (pink) being sucked towards the tubal opening. (refer to "
The Normal Ovary " It also shows the presence of sperms in the
vagina. The sperms (blue with tails) swim from the vagina,through the cervix and through the uterus and both tubes. The tubes are lined with a special
lining known as ciliary epithelium. This lining contains minute hair like structures that
through continuous movement create a suction power that suck from she ovary towards the tubes
and through the tubes towards the cavity of the womb. The sperms therefore swim upstream .
See Fallopian Tube
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This drawing illustrates how many sperms align around the egg cell. Than the head
material of one of the sperms enters the egg cell. The egg cell changes and it is impossible
for other sperms to also enters the egg cell. The egg cell is now fertilized and a now life
begins. A corpus luteum is now present in the ovary (yellow structure) |
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The movement of the fertilized egg cell through the fallopian tube is illustrated in this drawing.(green ) Due to the function of the ciliary epithelium the fertilized egg is slowly moved through the fallopian tube to the cavity within the womb. This journey takes about 5 days. |
The next page will explain implantation. Implantation is the establishment of a link between the new life and its mother. This link allows the new life (embryo to receive oxygen and nutrients from the mother). .
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LAST UPDATE: 28 December 2003
 
 
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