When a fetal egg attaches to the uterus: signs, sensations and timing

Pregnancy occurs as a result of fertilization of a female cell with sperm - male cells. Few people know about the important process that occurs at the very beginning of pregnancy - cell implantation. This is a process when a fetal egg attaches to the uterus, it is with it that a full-fledged pregnancy process begins. The first signs of the birth of a new life appear. You need to know the main points about this phenomenon, because it is one of the most critical moments in bearing a child. We will consider the timing, sensations and signs of implantation.

What is implantation?

Implantation is an unusual occurrence in which a fertilized egg called an embryo invades the uterine wall. A gradual connection of the uterine mucosa and the embryo takes place. This period is important, because it is precisely in it that the compatibility of two organisms is checked and the woman's ability to bear a child with such a set of genes. If there is a genetic disorder, then the body rejects the cell and a miscarriage occurs at an early stage.

From the moment the fetal egg attaches to the uterus, large-scale changes begin in the woman’s body. The cells of the embryo begin to change and develop rapidly, at the same time the placenta begins to form. The hormonal background of a woman changes completely, the level of the hCG hormone increases. From this moment on, pregnancy begins.

Implantation process

There are several sequential phenomena that occur in the body of a woman after sperm.

1. The first thing that happens is the meeting and fusion of the egg and sperm. From this moment, the egg is covered with a membrane - a protective film, so that other male cells do not penetrate into it. In such a protective film, the cell is located before it enters the uterus.
2. Inside the egg, a zygote forms, which begins to actively divide into many smaller cells. Fetal egg in defense moves through the fallopian tubes with the help of muscle contractions.
3. As soon as the fetal egg penetrates the uterine cavity, the protective film comes off. At this time, a trophoblast forms on the surface of the ovum, which helps the cell attach to the surface of the uterus.
4. If the formed membrane around the egg is too dense and rigid, the implantation process may be interrupted. At this moment, the female body selects and does not allow the attachment of cells with serious pathologies that can be determined at this stage.

Having examined the process itself, we further note how many days the fetal egg attaches to the uterus, after how much it occurs, what are the symptoms and why does the process sometimes end in a miscarriage?

When does attachment occur?

The female body is unique, and there are no mandatory rules and regulations that it must follow. This means that it is impossible to determine exactly how much a fetal egg attaches to the uterus, nor can it be calculated when there was a fact of fertilization. Medicine distinguishes two types of attachment depending on time.

1. Early implantation is when a fetal egg attaches to the uterus 6-7 days after ovulation. It turns out that the fertilized egg moves through the female body for about a week, after which, after passing through the fallopian tubes, it enters the uterus, and attachment begins there.
2. Late implantation is a longer process, which takes up to 10 days after ovulation. It occurs in IVF, in women after the age of 40, when the endometrium of the uterus is thick.

How much does the ovum attach to the uterus? The process takes approximately 48 hours in duration. It is accompanied by some symptoms, which we will consider further. In general, this process is not very noticeable to a woman.

Factors affecting the duration of the implantation period

There are a number of factors that affect how long a cell will travel in the body before implantation. Here are some of them that determine when a fetal egg attaches to the uterus:

1. Compatibility of male and female cells, which determine the strength of a fertilized egg. If it is strong, it will pass through the fallopian tubes with ease, if not, it may die.
2. If conception occurs naturally (not IVF, freezing), then the number of chances for a quick and successful implantation increases significantly.
3. The thickness and elasticity of the uterine mucosa affect the attachment of the egg. In women after 40, there is a predisposition to thickening of the endometrium. This can occur at a young age, causing unsuccessful attempts to become pregnant.
4. It is important to introduce a fundamentally new genetic material, then the probability is low that the female body will reject it. That is why the conception of a child by relatives is not recommended, the path is even distant.

Symptomatology

In most cases, women listen to their body and try to feel the symptoms when the fetal egg attaches to the uterus. Is it possible? Some experts say that this is impossible, because everything happens at the cell level and can not cause discomfort to a woman. In fact, practice and many doctors say that this is not so.

1. Drawing pains appear in the lower abdomen, which may resemble pains before menstruation or during ovulation.
2. Discharges are observed, they are smearing and scarce, they have small impurities of blood.
3. A slight increase in body temperature, both general and basal. After the embryo has successfully attached, fever may persist throughout the first trimester. The increase in this case is insignificant - about 37 degrees.
4. If a woman regularly measures basal temperature, she will notice drooping. This is a decrease in temperature by about 1.5 degrees. After that, a gradual growth will begin, which will just indicate pregnancy.
5. Metallic taste in the mouth and the appearance of nausea without gag reflexes. They are not pronounced, therefore, they may simply not be noticed by a woman.

Sharp pains, worsening, bleeding, loss of consciousness, dizziness and other signs are symptoms of anxiety. You should immediately consult a doctor, otherwise the woman’s health will be seriously damaged.

Implant discharge

It is important to notice such discharge - there should be very little blood in them. If there is a lot of it, this indicates abnormalities, you should immediately consult a doctor. All uncomfortable sensations should not greatly disturb the expectant mother, they are light and do not last long.

Strong discharge and prolonged pain indicate a threat of miscarriage and the formation of pathologies, therefore it is necessary to consult a gynecologist. By their nature, implantation secretions are similar to natural ones, which are released during ovulation and during the cycle. They are transparent, can have a light creamy, yellowish tint. The only difference is a drop of blood.

Why does implantation sometimes fail?

There are cases of the impossibility of implantation. Why does the ovum not attach to the uterus? We will analyze several factors influencing this process:

1. Large thickness and density of the protective cover of the ovum. Earlier, we examined the implantation process, in which we said that if the membrane is too thick, attachment will be impossible.
2. Deviations and disorders in the genetic set, the development of the blastocyst (the initial stage of human development), that is, that small cell that began to divide.
3. Damage or disease to the uterine mucosa that is unable to take the embryo.
4. A small amount of hormones, often progesterone, which creates the conditions for the successful attachment of a fetal egg.
5. A low level of nutrition of uterine tissue, which is not enough for the development of the fetus.

Attachment to the rear wall

Future mothers are often worried about the question, to which wall of the uterus is the fetal egg attached? As practice shows, in most cases the embryo attaches to the back of the uterus. She is closest to the spine of the future mother. Obstetricians note that this is the most convenient place of attachment for childbirth.

In the place of attachment, the egg begins to grow, develop, move to another stage of life. The location may change, but only at the 3rd trimester, as the uterus grows. It is impossible to independently determine where the embryo has attached itself. Reviews of women show that if the cell is attached to the back wall - fetal movements will be felt more strongly.

Attaching to the front wall is not a deviation, it is a normal phenomenon, just rarer. In this case, the child will be located on the side of the abdomen, and not the spine.

Attachment to the bottom of the uterus

The situation when the fetal egg is attached at the bottom of the uterus is the most correct from a physiological point of view. This arrangement creates the embryo all conditions for favorable development, makes the risk of miscarriage minimal. However, many women argue that when you attach an egg to the bottom of the uterus, the stomach grows faster and stronger. Please note that this is nothing more than a myth. The location of the embryo does not affect the growth of the abdomen. Moreover, during pregnancy, the baby can change its location several more times.