CONCEPTION

Mrs. Anthony

VOCAB (reproductive system)

Vagina

Cervix

Fallopian Tubes

Uterus

Ovaries

Ovum

Sperm

Zygote

Conception

Embryo

Fetus

• Term

• Definition

• Picture

Female Reproductive Organs

Ovulation

Ovulation:1 time every 28 days an ovum (egg cell) is released by one of the two ovaries

Usually 1 egg is released

Everyone’s cycle is different – women don’t always know when they are ovulating 24-38 days between 1st day of last period to 1st day of next is

considered “regular”

*Ovulation doesn’t occur before puberty, during pregnancy, or after menopause. Ovulation may or may not occur while a women is breastfeeding and when a women is going through the menopause process. Ovulation shouldn’t happen when on a hormonal birth control method

Egg Transport

The ovum is released from the ovary & moves through the fallopian tube to the uterus

Hormones are also released at the same time in order to prepare the uterus in the event that the ovum is fertilized

This journey takes 2-3 days (It stays in the fallopian tubes waiting to be fertilized for about 24 hours)

After ovulation an egg is capable of being fertilized for 12-24 hours

Muscular contractions takes place, which creates a forward motion transport for the egg to get to the uterus

During ovulation the inner lining of the uterus grows & thickens

If the ovum is not fertilized by a sperm the lining of the uterus breaks down & passes out of the body + bleeding a few weeks later = menstrual period/menstruation

Sperm Transport

Sperm must be:

1. Capable of propelling through the environment of a female vagina and cervix

2. The environment must be able to admit the sperm without destroying the sperm

3. The sperm must possess the capability of converting to a form that can penetrate the cell membrane of the egg

After ejaculation the sperm form a gel that protects it from the acidic environment of the vagina

Once the sperm have entered the uterus, contractions propel the sperm upward into the fallopian tubes.

Sperm enter the uterus within minutes after ejaculation

Sperm can survive in the reproductive tract for up to 5 days

Conception cont…

If a sperm reaches the fallopian tube, it may penetrate (enter) and fertilize the ovum if there is one to penetrate

The process of the sperm fertilizing the ovum is the beginning of conception

The fertilized egg stays in the fallopian tube dividing into cells until it makes it way to the uterus

The fertilized egg is called a ZYGOTE at this stage

Remember the ovum lives for 12-24 hours & sperm can live for 3-5 days

If someone has intercourse on Monday, but ovulation doesn’t take place until Friday conception can still take place)

There are about 5-6 days during which intercourse could lead to conception

A women’s highest chance to get pregnant is the 3 days leading up to ovulation and the day of ovulation.

Implantation

A fertilized egg must implant and begin to grow in the uterus

In order for this to happen:

The fertilized egg is called a ZYGOTE

Increases by cell division while it travels to the uterus

It multiplies into a ball of cells as it travels

The balls of cells then “nest” in the uterus

Ovulation + Fertilization + Implantation = Conception

Usually takes 6-12 days after ovulation

Ectopic Pregnancy: Fertilized egg doesn’t make it to the uterus to grow and the baby starts to grow somewhere else

Does not end in a live birth

Very dangerous to the mother

Implantation Cont…

Once the zygote attaches to the uterus and has been fertilized for about 4 weeks it is then called an EMBRYO.

Some women might notice slight bleeding (spotting) from the baby implanting into their uterus

At 9 weeks it is then called a FETUS until the end of pregnancy.

In week 1 a hormone is made (hCg) that can be detected in your blood –Doctors can tell

A home pregnancy test does not detect the hormone until 3-4 weeks

Chromosomes & Genes

# of births are determined during conception or right after

Cells divide= mitosis

Identical Twins: when sperm fertilizes the ovum, the cell begins to divide as cells divides the mass of cells may split into ½ creating 2 separate embryo

1 ovum, 1 sperm = twins have very identical characteristics, and are ALWAYS same sex.

Fraternal Twins:

2 eggs released from ovaries at the same time & are fertilized by 2 different sperms

Twins might not look alike and can be opposite sex

Out of 1,000 births: 4 Identical, 23 Fraternal

At conception every baby receives 46 chromosomes (23 pairs)

23 from Mother

23 from Father

The male determines the sex of the baby

Diagram

Name the parts!

VOCAB (support system for embryo)

*Get words from book*

Amniotic sac:

Amniotic fluid:

Placenta:

Umbilical Cord: