Conception is the time when sperm travel through the vagina to the uterus and fertilize an egg found in the fallopian tube. Where does conception take place? Sperm normally fertilize the egg in the fallopian tube. This is a pathway from the ovary to the uterus of a woman. According to the University of California San Francisco, it takes an egg about 30 hours to travel from the ovary to the fallopian tube. As the egg travels down the fallopian tube, it stays in a specific section called the ampullar-isthmic junction. This is where sperm normally fertilize the egg. Normally, when the egg is fertilized, it quickly travels to the uterus and implants. Doctors call the fertilized egg cell an embryo. When and how does conception occur? Conception can occur just before or after ovulation. This is the point in the menstrual cycle when the ovaries release an egg. In a regular cycle, ovulation usually occurs about 10–16 days before a person’s next period. However, many have irregular cycles that change in length each month, so the exact day of ovulation often varies. Fertilization can then occur in several ways: Sexual intercourse: Sperm can enter the vagina during sex. From here it can swim up to the uterus and find its way to the egg. This can take several days, with healthy sperm surviving in the body for up to 5 days. Intrauterine insemination (IUI): This is when a doctor inserts sperm into the uterus through a thin tube. A doctor can do this for people trying to conceive through sperm donation or for those who choose surrogacy. Surrogacy occurs when someone other than the birth parents carries the pregnancy to term. IVF: This is where a doctor takes sperm and eggs from two people and combines them in a laboratory setting. IVF cannot guarantee fertilization, but creates the best possible circumstances for it.

Planning for a baby is one of the most important times in a couple’s life, but for many it can be confusing and complicated. Here we dispel some of the common fertility myths with justified facts  below. Myth: Having sex every day increases our chances of fertilization  Couples trying to conceive are advised to have regular intercourse to increase their chances of conceiving, but having intercourse every day is likely to exhaust you, especially since it takes many couples 6-12 months to conceive. However, because sperm can survive up to 5 days after release and ovulation prediction is an inaccurate science, most general practitioners advise having intercourse every 2-3 days to maximize the chances of sperm fertilizing an egg after ovulation be able. Myth: You can’t get pregnant while you’re on your periods While women cannot get pregnant during menstruation because the hormones that lead to menstruation are the opposite of those required for pregnancy, they can get pregnant through sex during menstruation because of early ovulation and sperm production can survive up to 5 days after release. Research in the US1 has shown that women can be fertile as early as day four of their cycle (day one is considered the first day of bleeding), so pregnancy can occur at any point in a cycle. Myth: You can only get pregnant on the day you ovulate Not true. The human egg is fertile for about a day after it is released from the ovaries. However, since sperm can survive up to 5 days after intercourse and women can produce more than 1 egg in 24 hours, technically a woman can get pregnant up to 5 days before or even up to 2 days after ovulation, i.e. for one week of each menstrual cycle. Myth: A normal menstrual cycle lasts 28 days That’s not true, that’s a myth perpetuated by the pill making all menstrual cycles regular and 28 days long. In fact, menstrual cycles can vary between 24 and 36 days, and not only vary between women, they vary significantly month-to-month for each individual woman. Myth: Lying down with your legs up after sex increases your chances of getting pregnant Although there is no scientific evidence to support this approach, some people claim it helps and since it is completely harmless it must be worth trying. Myth: Eating oysters increases my fertility There is a grain of truth in this, as oysters are a rich source of zinc, low levels of which can affect fertility. Take stock of your diet and make sure you’re eating plenty of fruits and vegetables, whole grains rich in antioxidants, and fatty fish (e.g. salmon, herring, sardines, etc.) twice a week. Cut down on caffeine and Alcohol, both of which can hinder conception if taken in excess. Don’t forget to stay active and if you’re a smoker, quit. Myth: You can get everything you need through diet and don’t need to take supplements This is definitely not true, and in fact, all women are advised to take a daily supplement of 400mcg of folic acid during attempts to conceive and for the first 3 months of pregnancy. Taking a folic acid supplement is important for the development of the baby’s neural tube. Since most of us fail to always have the perfect diet, taking a dietary supplement designed specifically for conception or pregnancy can help ensure adequate levels of all the vitamins and minerals essential for conception.

Male infertility is a prevalent issue. There are various challenges in the difficult process of conception. Fortunately, having infertility problems does not preclude you from having a kid of your own with your partner. There are procedures and therapies that can raise the likelihood of conception. Male infertility: What is it? A reproductive system issue known as infertility prevents you from becoming pregnant with a female. You, she, or both of you may have infertility concerns if a man and a female engage in recurrent unprotected sex for more than a year and the female doesn’t become pregnant. How frequent is infertility in men? More than five million couples in the United States struggle with infertility, making it a widespread issue. Infertility affects one in every six couples who are trying to conceive. In at least half of all cases of infertility, a male factor is a major or contributing cause. This means that about 10 percent of all males in the United States who are attempting to conceive suffer from infertility. Symptoms The main sign of male infertility is the inability to conceive a child. There may be no other obvious signs or symptoms. However, in some cases, an underlying problem such as a hereditary disease, hormonal imbalance, dilated veins around the testicles, or a condition that blocks the passage of sperm causes signs and symptoms. Signs and symptoms you may notice include: Problems with sexual function – for example, difficulty ejaculating or passing small amounts of fluid, decreased sex drive, or difficulty maintaining an erection (erectile dysfunction) Pain, swelling, or lumps in the testicle area Recurrent respiratory infections Inability to smell Abnormal breast growth (gynecomastia) Decreased facial or body hair or other signs of a chromosomal or hormonal abnormality A lower than normal sperm count (less than 15 million sperm per millilitre of semen or a total sperm count of less than 39 million per ejaculation Risk factors Risk factors associated with male infertility include: Smoking tobacco Use of alcohol Use of certain illegal drugs To be overweight Have certain past or present infections Be exposed to toxins Overheating of the testicles After trauma to the testicles After a previous vasectomy or major abdominal or pelvic surgery Have a history of undescended testicles Being born with a fertility disorder or having a blood relative with a fertility disorder Certain medical conditions, including tumours and chronic diseases such as sickle cell anaemia Taking certain medications or medical treatments such as surgery or radiation to treat cancer Complications Complications of male infertility can include: Stress and relationship problems related to the inability to have a child Expensive and complicated reproduction techniques Increased risk of testicular cancer, melanoma, colon cancer and prostate cancer Prevention Male infertility is not always preventable. However, you can try to avoid some known causes of male infertility. For example: Do not smoke. Limit or avoid alcohol. Stay away from illegal drugs. Maintain a healthy weight. Don’t get a vasectomy. Avoid things that cause prolonged heat to the testicles. Reduce stress. Avoid contact with pesticides, heavy metals and other toxins. When to the doctor See a doctor if you have not had a baby after a year of regular, unprotected sex, or sooner if you have any of the following problems: Erection or ejaculation problems, low sex drive, or other sexual function problems Pain, discomfort, a lump, or swelling in the testicle area A history of testicular, prostate, or sexual problems A groin, testicle, penis, or scrotum surgery A partner over 35 years