In most cases, conception occurs in a womans fallopian tube in the hours or days following sexual intercourse.
However, in cases of assisted reproduction, particularly in vitro fertilization, conception can occur in a lab.
Conception Process
When you ovulate, you release an egg from the ovaries.
Illustration by Danie Drankwalter for Verywell Health
If sperm and an egg meet in the fallopian tube, conception is likely to occur.
The zygote then divides to form a ball of cells called a blastocyst.
A blastocyst is made up of an inner group of cells with an outer shell.
Reasons might include:
With IVF, the conception process takes place in a lab.
An eggeither from a parent-to-be or a donoris mixed with sperm from the other parent or donor.
In most cases, the sperm permeates the egg on its own after being mixed in a dish.
However, in some cases, doctors will inject sperm directly into the egg.
This is true of both traditional conception and IVF.
Implantation generally occurs six to 10 days after conception, about a week before a missed period.
This is also known as the pregnancy hormone, and its what pregnancy tests are designed to detect.
Detecting Pregnancy Hormones
HCG can be detected as early as 11 days after conception.
Does Conception Always Lead to Pregnancy?
Conception is just the first step toward pregnancy.
Wait at least 10 days following anembryo transferto take a pregnancy test.
This will give you the highest likelihood of sperm and egg meeting in the fallopian tubes.
Some people find trying to conceive thrilling while others find it stressful.
Remember that conception and successful pregnancy can take time.
If youre younger than 35, give yourself a year of trying before reaching out for assistance.
However, you should talk to your healthcare provider sooner if you periods are not regular.
Frequently Asked Questions
Conception and fertilization mean the same thing.
Both terms describe the joining of a sperm and an egg.
Conception occurs in the fallopian tube after the egg is released from the ovary.
It can take about 11 days to get a positive pregnancy test, though it could take longer.
Pregnancy does not occur until the fertilized egg (zygote) implants itself into the uterine lining.
The zygote begins the process of implantation about five to six days after fertilization.
Only 50% of zygotes will successfully reach this stage of implantation.
University of California San Francisco.Conception: how it works.
UCSF Center for Reproductive Health.Conception: How it works.
March of Dimes.Getting pregnant.
Planned Parenthood.What is IVF?
Su RW, Fazleabas AT.Implantation and establishment of pregnancy in human and nonhuman primates.
In: Geisert RD, Bazer FW, eds.Regulation of Implantation and Establishment of Pregnancy in Mammals.
Springer International Publishing; 2015:189-213. doi:10.1007/978-3-319-15856-3_10
U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Pregnancy.
Mount Sinai.HCG Blood Test.
