Conception is a miracle in and of itself. Learn what it takes to make a baby, from ovulation to fertilization.
Conception Explained
For conception to occur:
- A woman releases an egg (ovulate), which enters into a fallopian tube
- Sperm enters the cervix and travels through the uterus and into the fallopian tube
- Fertilization takes place in the fallopian tube within 24 – 48 hours of ovulation
- The fertilized egg, or embryo, travels through the fallopian tube to the uterus, where it implants in the uterine lining and develops
Infertility results when a problem develops in any part of this complex process. One out of eight couples has trouble conceiving. The first step in overcoming infertility is to seek an experienced reproductive endocrinologist to make an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan.
Determining the Cause of Infertility
A single female factor is the cause of infertility in 40% of the cases. A single male factor is the culprit in an additional 40% of the cases. Both male and female factors occur in 10% of the cases. In the remaining 10% of cases, diagnostic tests do not give us the answer. This is called unexplained infertility. Scientific data suggests that many couples who have unexplained infertility may have a fertilization issue. The good news is that IVF with ICSI can often overcome this problem.