The process of conception involves several steps:
-
Ovulation: In a woman's menstrual cycle, an ovary releases a mature egg (ovum) into the fallopian tube.
-
Fertilization: If sperm from a male is present in the female reproductive tract, usually following sexual intercourse, one sperm may penetrate and fertilize the egg. This occurs in the fallopian tube, forming a zygote.
-
Cell Division: The zygote begins to divide and develop as it moves down the fallopian tube toward the uterus, becoming a blastocyst.
-
Implantation: The blastocyst reaches the uterus and implants itself into the uterine lining, where it starts to develop into an embryo.
-
Pregnancy: Once implantation occurs, hormonal changes sustain the pregnancy, and the body begins to support the developing embryo.
This process marks the beginning of pregnancy and can result in the development of a viable fetus over approximately nine months.