When a woman and a man understand that they are ready to become parents, they begin to do everything in their power to make this happen: lead a healthy lifestyle, undergo a full examination of the body, regularly live an intimate life (especially on the most favorable days for conception).
In such cases, women behave differently. Some quite calmly relate to whether pregnancy will occur or not at the next moment of ovulation. They patiently expect the first signs of pregnancy to appear, but naturally, without escalating the atmosphere around it.
Others may be more anxious about this task, delving too deeply into a process that, in fact, is a divine miracle in which man is only a vehicle.
From the physiological point of view, every expectant mother is interested in: when is the treasured fertilization carried out and on what day does the embryo implant?
The answers to these and many other questions are in our article.
Stages of embryogenesis
To begin with, it is necessary to consider the basic processes occurring in the body of the expectant mother, and generally accepted names that relate to the topic under consideration.
The first 8 weeks of the development of a new life in a woman’s uterus after conception are called embryogenesis. Accordingly, the future fetus - from the moment of its inception to the expiration of this period - is called the embryo.
What are the stages of this period:
- The connection of male and female germ cells contribute to the formation of a zygote (embryo), which just moves to the uterine cavity through tubes, making active nuclear fission. When the uterus reaches, it becomes like a raspberry.
- When strong cell division in the zygote has occurred, a blastula is formed, which in shape resembles a sphere consisting of blastomeres.
- The formation of gastrula is the third stage, during which the second germinal leaf is formed.
- The formation of the mesoderm - the third leaf. For the embryo, this period is characterized by the development of the axial skeleton, muscles, and the beginnings of the nervous system.
- To the last stage of embryonic development in the embryo, the process of separation of all already formed systems and organs takes place.
And a protective shell is gradually developing, which also provides the vital activity of the future fetus - the placenta. It will fully work only from the 20th week.
Since the introduction of the embryo and in the following weeks, bonds are formed between the vessels of the uterus and the future fetus, as well as the general circulation of the mother and baby.
Therefore, it is important for a woman to understand what day the implantation of the embryo takes place in order to internally tune herself to the right wave, avoid stressful situations and abandon bad habits.
Description
When all the processes of this period in the body of the expectant mother occur naturally and easily, then the entire period of pregnancy will go well.
This stage (embryonic) is the most important, fundamental for the entire period of development, gestation and the birth of a healthy baby.
And although medicine has not yet been fully studied at a deep level, the question of what day the implantation of the embryo is on continues to be of interest to many. After all, it is impossible to see under natural conditions, as well as with artificial insemination. Although doctors come in contact with the embryos when a woman connected in a laboratory egg and sperm are placed in the uterus of a woman.
In a natural process, this essentially remains a secret, hidden from human observation.
About fertilization in the "faces"
In order for pregnancy to occur, two “actors” are needed: a healthy sperm and a mature egg.
A female representative is initially located in one of the ovaries. Towards the middle of the menstrual cycle, one of the many eggs ripens (increases in size) and separates from "their sisters", going out to meet the sperm.
A representative of the masculine gender - one of several hundred million, overcoming all the barriers that are on the way to the egg - meets with her, and the long-awaited merger takes place.
About the female cycle
In order to understand what happens in a woman’s body at the time of connecting female and male germ cells, and also on what day the implantation of the embryo in the uterus occurs, it is necessary to be aware of the processes that occur during the cycle and how they affect the fact that pregnancy can even to happen.
After menstruation ends, the first phase of the cycle begins - follicular. Although its beginning is counted on the first day of menstruation, all processes characteristic of this period begin to occur precisely after the end of "women's days". And from this moment on, “pregnancy begins”, according to the calculations of the gynecologist (that is, the obstetric period is set in this way), when the woman is already in a position.
In the second phase - ovulatory - the female cell undergoes a maturation stage. And already in the third phase - luteal - it is separated from the ovary and sent to the uterus.
During the follicular phase, female hormone - estrogen - is in charge of everyone. Thanks to him, the inner space of the uterus begins to prepare for the adoption of a fertilized egg and the further attachment of the embryo. This is manifested in the fact that the endometrial layer (tissue for attachment of the embryo) grows and a follicle-stimulating substance is produced.
Physiologically it is known on which day of the cycle the embryo implantation occurs: when the endometrium, gradually increasing and loose, reaches the size of 13 millimeters, the egg, under the influence of a follicle-stimulating substance, should reach a size of about 25 millimeters.
When the follicle opens, thanks to the hormone of pregnancy - progesterone, the onset of the ovulatory phase occurs. The egg begins to move through the fallopian tubes towards the uterus.
For this moment, it is very important that there is a live sperm in the uterine space, which will overtake the egg.
Fertilized egg
The meeting takes place in the fallopian tube, and then, merging with the male reproductive cell, the female about 6 days moves towards the uterine space.
These days, within the ovum, there is a constant division into many cells, which will then become the fetus around which the protective membranes are located.
When the formed embryo is in the uterine cavity, it will begin to attach to its wall in order to receive all the necessary substances - for the development of the future baby from it - throughout the entire period of pregnancy.
Determination of the moment of ovulation
In order to calculate a woman on what day after ovulation the embryo implantation will be carried out in her uterus, it is necessary to know which days of the menstrual cycle are ovulation.
There are several ways to determine fertile days:
- A calendar that a woman maintains, indicating in it indicators of her basal temperature. During ovulation, it rises. And if fertilization has occurred, pregnancy has occurred, then a high rate lasts for a long time.
- With the help of ultrasound examination - monitoring, which helps to see the growth of the follicle in the ovaries, determine ovulation, and also characterize how the corpus luteum develops. As a rule, this procedure is carried out on the 10th day of the cycle - for several days in a row, until the phase begins.
- Strips are special tests for home use to determine when to ovulate. The surface is impregnated with a special substance that acquires a color upon contact with lutein-stimulating hormone.
- Physiological signs - with the onset of this phase, pulling pain, as well as vaginal discharge and increased sensitivity of the mammary glands, appear in the lower abdomen.
- Microscope - a drop of woman's saliva can be used to determine days favorable for conception, since the pattern of this discharge is presented in a specific way on ovulation days.
Terms of implantation of the embryo into the uterus
After the fusion of male and female germ cells, the resulting embryo or zygote begins to actively divide every day. And only after 8-fold division, an embryo is obtained.
To calculate on what day the implantation of the embryo after ovulation, it is necessary to add the time periods:
- The number of days for which the embryo (a fertilized egg that has already begun to divide) will reach the uterine space (this is about 4 days).
- How many days the embryo is “assimilated” already in the uterus (it is released from the outer layers that protected it from external influences, including other spermatozoa) and begins to attach to its wall (approximately 2 days).
Thus, embryo implantation during natural fertilization approximately occurs on the 6th day after conception (approximately the 20th day of the cycle).
When the process of merging the germ cells of a man and a woman is carried out under laboratory conditions (artificial insemination), this moment may occur a little later.
Since the supervision of the ovulation phase and all processes taking place these days in the female genital area is monitored by a doctor. Therefore, only he can determine on what day after replanting the implantation of the embryo.
As a rule, the period is 1-2 days, when compared with natural conditions (that is, 21-22 days after menstruation).
What happens during implantation?
During this period, the embryo experiences certain intense phases of transition - from the uterine space to its wall. Namely:
- Joining or apposition.
- Attachment.
- Penetration.
All this is accompanied by complex processes that occur in the womb of a woman.
When the embryo is released from the outer protective layers, it becomes like a moving sphere. At this time, the uterus itself experiences contractions. And also there is a development of a special substance - mucous mucin.
Despite all these “tests,” the embryo approaches the endometrial layer and tries to join it. All this thanks to cytokines and chemokines - special substances that are produced by the endometrium and the germ.
These chemicals are especially active in the first 6 days after the ovulation period. In other phases of the cycle this does not happen.
After passing the "first test", the following begins - attachment. On the surface of the endometrial layer of the uterus, there are receptors called integrins. It is thanks to them that the embryo penetrates the wall of the uterine layer and surrounds itself with a protective endometrium.
These "helpers" - receptors - appear in the maximum amount at the moment of ovulation termination. Their activity is influenced by how strong the woman's luteal phase of the cycle is. With its insufficiency, penetration may not be realized.
The last phase of the important process of implantation of the embryo proceeds already 10 days after conception (possibly 12-14 days). At this moment, a substance is produced - chorin, which will become the placenta. Now the cells of the embryo dissolve the walls of blood vessels, tissues and firmly settle in the uterine wall.
Embryo implantation: signs and sensations
On what day this stage of the process of the birth of a new life takes place - have already found out. But what does the woman feel? Does she feel any changes within herself? Are there any external signs? It is necessary to clarify.
In fact, some changes also occur in the well-being of the expectant mother:
- Sensation of small pain in the lower abdomen - aching, pulling character. Nipples swell, darkening the space around them.
- The onset of the next menstruation is delayed.
- The basal temperature rises (this is noticeable by those women who regularly measured it at least 2 weeks before conception).
- Changes in mood, sensitivity, tearfulness, irritability for no particular reason.
- Digestive problems, stool.
- The acuity of smell.
- Toxicosis - vomiting - especially in the morning and evening.
- Excessive appetite or lack thereof.
- Changes in tastes and food addictions, “strange” combinations of products.
- Drowsiness and lethargy.
All this happens due to the hormone - progesterone, which is actively beginning to be produced and affect the organs and processes in the body of a woman, thus preparing the ground for the development of a new life.
Knowing these signs, and on what day the implantation of the embryo occurs, the expectant mother may feel that the main event has occurred - she became pregnant.
Medical confirmation of pregnancy
In addition to observing the listed symptoms for yourself, as well as applying the test to determine the presence of the pregnancy hormone - progesterone, the expectant mother also needs to receive medical confirmation of her interesting position.
This is done as follows:
- Through examination by a gynecologist - it is possible when the uterus begins to stretch, and the fetus reaches a size of about 2 millimeters.
- Ultrasound examination - with the help of a transmission device you can see the attached embryo, as well as the condition of the uterus and ovaries, the presence of secretion - the corpus luteum.
- Tests - pregnancy is established by the presence of a characteristic hormone in the blood.
Summary
There are cases when a woman has a good uterus (in her condition), she is carefully prepared for fertilization, physiologically knows, after conception, on which day the embryo implantation occurs, but in the end it is not carried out. This is especially often observed with artificial insemination. And it happens and vice versa.
There are a number of specific conditions that are necessary for the success of this process:
- Good microflora of the body.
- Solid endometrical layer consisting of 3 levels.
- A high rate of pregnancy hormone - progesterone - for the full development of the embryo.
In general, the merger of two cells - male and female, as well as the development of the embryo - this is not an instant process. Each of its periods is important in its own way, so that pregnancy both at the very beginning and in the following months (before the birth of the baby) proceeds well, and the baby is formed healthy and strong.