You may have wondered how the process of pregnancy after sex, especially when it is done during ovulation. At this time, the possibility of fertilization will be greater, so the chances of getting pregnant are higher.
Ovulation generally lasts about 2 weeks before the first day of your next menstrual period. During ovulation, the ovaries or ovaries in a woman's body will release a mature egg. This egg will then enter the fallopian tube and wait for the arrival of sperm to be fertilized.
A mature egg cell has a life span of only 24 hours. If during this time the egg is not fertilized, the egg will decay. This process is known as menstruation.
Understanding the Process of Pregnancy
Conception can occur within a few hours or a few days after a woman has finished having sex. A woman can be said to be pregnant when fertilization is successful.
Broadly speaking, the following is the process of pregnancy in a woman's body:
At conception
After having sex, about 300 million sperm cells will enter the vagina. However, only hundreds of sperm cells will reach the fallopian tube, which is the location where the egg is located.
Of the hundreds of sperm, there is only one sperm that managed to meet the egg. After the egg and sperm meet, fertilization will occur.
In certain cases, the ovaries can produce two mature eggs. If the two eggs are successfully fertilized by 2 sperm cells, there will be non-identical twin pregnancies or also called fraternal twins.
After fertilization
Within 24 hours after fertilization occurs, the egg will turn into a zygote. This zygote will then develop into an embryo or future fetus and attach to the uterine wall within 5-10 days after fertilization.
At this stage, women who have entered the early stages of pregnancy may experience brown spots or light bleeding for about 1-2 days. This bleeding is called implantation bleeding. However, not all women experience it.
After implantation occurs, the amniotic sac and placenta which are the source of fetal nutrition will be formed. The placenta will also begin to release the pregnancy hormone hCG, which can be detected through a urine test.
Other signs and symptoms of pregnancy may also be felt by women in early pregnancy, such as nausea and changes in the breasts.
When does a pregnancy test show a positive result?
What if there is no egg that can be fertilized when the sperm enters after intercourse? Don't worry, sperm can still survive in a woman's body for up to 5 days.
However, keep in mind, the struggle for sperm to reach the egg is still long and in the process the number of sperm will decrease.
To confirm that a pregnancy has occurred, you can take a pregnancy test with test pack at least 3–4 weeks after the first day of your last menstrual period or 2–3 weeks after you had intercourse during your fertile window.
For those of you who are planning a pregnancy, it is recommended to have sex during ovulation to increase the chances of pregnancy. You can also try some sex positions that are believed to make it easier for sperm to enter the uterus and fertilize an egg.
However, if you have irregular menstrual cycles or have difficulty determining your fertile period, try to consult a gynecologist for the best advice.