Conception

Conception is the process of the sperm (from the male) and the egg (from the female) coming together.

The female:
Egg produced once a month from the ovaries

• The egg travels down the fallopian tubes
• The sperm fertilises the egg
• The egg is then implanted on the lining of the uterus (endometrium).

The male:
The semen contains millions of sperm One sperm is required for fertilisation. The sperm swim through the cervix.

Conception:
After sexual intercourse with full penetration the sperm is ejaculated from the male into the vagina (female). The sperm and egg meet in the fallopian tubes. The sperm will enter the egg wall, this then travels to the uterus, and is implanted on the endometrium.

How can I improve my chances of becoming pregnant?
• Have a healthy diet
• Do not smoke
• Do not drink alcohol
• Exercise regularly
• Do not get stressed out
• Follow Natural Family Planning methods

What can the father do to improve chances of pregnancy?
• Keep his sperm cool - 2-3°C lower temperature than the rest of the body
• Wear boxer shorts instead of tight underpants

When should we be having sex?
The best time to have sex to optimise your changes of getting pregnant are the 6 days leading up to ovulation and the day or two during and after ovulation. If you have a 28 day menstrual cycle (and not all women do) then day one is the first day of menstruation and day 14 is approximately when ovulation occurs.  As such from day 7 to 15 you may choose to be sexually active.

Your body natually shows you signs that you are about to ovulate and thus are most fertile.  Your vaginal mucus becomes thin and clear this change in mucus allows sperm to flow easily and can also keep any remaining sperm alive for up to 6 days (hence from 6 days to ovulation you may wish to be sexually active).

Another sign of ovulation is temperature.  Your body temperature will generally be around 36.0 - 36.5°C when you ovulate your temperature risese slightly (about 0.2°C).  To practice the Nautral Family Planning method you must take the temperature when you are resting- before getting out of bed in the morning is best (this is the basal body temperature) and monitor these changes daily.  Keep charts and notes of this information so you can find out when you ovulate each month.  By charting your temperature you are more able to predict ovulation and conception timing more accurately.

Is there something wrong with me if I do not get pregnant straight away?
No, just because you are having unprotected sex does not mean that you will get pregnant straight away. You may still be trying a year later, and even then there is no reason to panic. One in ten couples will still be attempting pregnancy even after one year of trying.

What varies my chance of being pregnant?
• Age.
• Women between 20 and 25 years of age: 25% for each cycle
• Women between 30 and 35 years of age: 15% for each cycle
• Older than 35 chances dramatically decrease

When should I see may doctor if I am failing to become pregnant?
• After one year of trying to conceive
• if you are female and are over 30
• if you have ovulation difficulties
• if you have a sexually transmitted disease
• if you have had any surgery on or around your abdominal or pelvic area.

If my partner and I do seek medical help what will happen?
If you and your partner do seek medical help you are likely to have a number of tests such as: hormone and sperm tests, post-coital test. See our infertility section for more information.