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CONCEPTION

Conception occurs when the fertilization of sperm and egg occurs, resulting in zygote formation. The process starts during the ovulation phase of the women’s menstrual cycle when an egg is released from the ovary. Then, the zygote forms a blastocyst that gets implanted in uterine wall, thus resulting in a pregnancy. The ovum released during ovulation lasts for one day and sperm lasts for three days. Therefore, the conception-related chances would be the highest by having intercourse three days prior and after the proposed ovulation.

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Steps Of Conception


  • Sperm transport: For the sperm to reach the egg, it should be able to propel via the female vagina and cervix whose environment should not destroy the sperm and sperm must be able to convert to the form that will be able to penetrate via the egg cell membrane.

  • Egg transport: During ovulation, the egg or ovum from the superficial part of the ovary and captured by the fimbrial end of the fallopian tube. Then, the ovum is transported in the fallopian tubes with the help of cilia present in the tubes. Fertilization occurs at the ampullo-isthmic part after which the fertilized egg begins to move towards the uterus. 

  • Fertilization and embryo development: The egg can get fertilized for only 12–24 h after ovulation. The membrane around the egg has two functions:



  • Contains the human sperm receptors

  • It becomes impermeable to penetration by other sperm once it has been penetrated by one sperm.


The single cell embryo (zygote) undergoes multiple mitotic divisions to form a blastocyst.

  • Implantation: Once a blastocyst is formed, it undergoes the implantation process where it burrows itself in the uterine wall.

Symptoms

Contraception leads to pregnancy. The pregnancy-related symptoms are listed below:


  • A missed period: The most common symptom is a missed period. After conception, the body stops producing hormones that may cause shedding to the uterine lining, resulting in a missed period. However, periods can be irregular or missed because of other reasons such as hormonal imbalance and stress.

  • Feeling tired

  • Bloated belly

  • Frequent urination

  • Morning sickness: Vomiting and nausea that may occur throughout the day 

  • Sore and enlarging breasts


The less common signs of pregnancy are listed below:

  • Food aversion, constant hunger and food cravings

  • Repulsion of certain smells

  • Gag reflex will be strong

  • Cramping: Cramps feels like abdominal pain and can occur during an ectopic pregnancy.

  • Headaches and dizziness

  • Spotting (called implantation bleeding): Usually, because of the implantation of the fertilized egg in the uterine wall, it can look similar to brown discharge or light bleeding and last for days to a few weeks. 

  • Mood swings: Because of change in hormones.

  • Metallic taste in your mouth.

Causes

Conception occurs when a sperm cell swims via the vagina in the uterus and combines with the egg because it travels via the fallopian tubes. The fertilized egg then mitotically divides to form a cluster of 100 cells, known as a blastocyst. This occurs over a period of seven days after fertilization. The blastocyst burrows itself in the lining of the uterus during the implantation process. Progesterone and estrogen cause wall thickening to provide nutrients to the blastocyst. As the blastocyst grows to a fetus, the hormones of the body help keep this lining intact and provide nourishment to the fetus.

Prevention

Conception can be prevented by multiple contraceptive methods. They are divided into reversible and non-reversible methods 

Reversible methods include:


  • Intrauterine contraception: These are placed in the uterus to prevent pregnancy 


 

  • Hormonal methods



  • Injections: Progesterone injections are administered

  • Combined oral contraceptives and progestin-only pill

  • Implant: Thin rod implanted in the arm that slowly releases progestin over a period of three years

  • Patch: Worn on the body and contains estrogen and progestin released in the blood stream over 1–3 weeks

  • Vaginal contraceptive ring: The ring releases progestin and estrogen and is inserted in the vagina for 1–3 weeks. 



  • Barrier methods



  • Sponge: This contains a spermicide to kill the sperm before it fertilizes the egg; the sponge is placed in the cervix close to the vagina.

  • Diaphragm: Placed inside the vagina to cover the cervix and block the sperm. It is often filled with a spermicide.

  • Female and male Condoms: They are worn by the female and male to stop the sperm from entering the vagina, and they can help prevent STDs and HIV.



  • Fertility awareness-based method: Understand the menstrual cycle to identify the time when the individual is most fertile. Do not engage in sexual activities on such days. This method is not extremely effective.

  • Emergency Contraception: Used when no form of contraception was used during sexual activities. It helps in preventing pregnancy and they require to be taken as soon as possible for maximum effect.


IRREVERSIBLE METHODS: 

  • Female sterilization: Tying of the fallopian tubes such that fertilization does not occur.

  • Vasectomy or male sterilization: Blocks the sperm from reaching the penis; therefore, the semen does not contain any sperm for fertilization.


 

Diagnosis

Conception eventually leads to pregnancy. The following methods are used to verify for pregnancy:


  • Usually, a missed period is the first indication; however, periods can be missed because of other hormonal problems and therefore additional testing is required for confirmation.

  • HCG is a hormone present only after implantation has occurred and increases with increase in stages of pregnancy.

  • Blood tests: Blood tests are performed to verify the level of beta-human chorionic gonadotropin (beta-HCG). This hormone is present after implantation.

  • The blood serum can be tested for early pregnancy factor (EPF). This hormone can be detected 48 h post fertilization.

  • Pregnancy Tests: These are OTC tests that can be purchased from a pharmacy. It is a urine test that measures the HCG levels. Usually, these tests are followed up by blood tests to confirm pregnancy.

  • Ultrasounds: After the blood test and pregnancy test yield positive results, an ultrasound maybe performed to verify for intrauterine or ectopic pregnancies. An ultrasound detects the heart activity of the fetus.


 

Treatment For Infertility

Infertility is when the couple is unable to conceive in one year even after engaging in unprotected sex.

Treatment for infertility is broadly classified into three types


  • Medicines

  • Assisted conception

  • Surgical procedures


Medicines

  • Metformin: Helps women with PCOS

  • Clomiphene: Encourages ovulation in women who do not regularly ovulate or cannot ovulate

  • Letrozole is used as an alternative to clomiphene

  • Gonadotropins: Stimulate ovulation in women and improve fertility in men

  • Gonadotrophin-releasing hormone and dopamine agonists encourage ovulation.


 

Surgical procedures:

  • For endometriosis, fibroids and PCOS cause infertility.



  • Endometriosis is when parts of the womb lining start growing outside the womb.

  • To treat endometriosis, laparoscopic surgery is required to destroy or removing cysts (fluid-filled sacs).

  • Fibroids are small growths in the womb. Intramural and subserosal fibroids can be removed by laparoscopy and submucosally by hysteroscopy.

  • For PCOS, heat or laser is used to destroy part of the ovary in a laparoscopic ovarian drilling procedure.



  • Correction of an epididymal blockage and performing a surgery to retrieve the sperm



  • The epididymis is a coil-like structure in the testicles that helps store and transport sperm. However, the epididymis gets obstructed, which sometimes prevents sperm ejaculation. If this is causing infertility, this can be treated.



  • Surgical extraction of sperm may be performed if:



  • One was born without the vas deferens - a tube that drains the sperm from the testicle.

  • Have had a vasectomy or a failed vasectomy reversal

  • Have an obstruction that prevents the release of sperm.



  • Fallopian tube surgery:



  • Surgery can be performed if the fallopian tubes are scarred or blocked; however, complications can include ectopic pregnancies.



  • Assisted conception



  • Intrauterine insemination (IUI): Best quality sperm is selected and inserted in the womb via a plastic tube through the cervix close to the time of ovulation. It is known as artificial insemination.

  • Third-party assisted reproduction: Where egg donors, sperm donors or donor embryos may be used. Moreover, the couple may opt for surrogacy where someone else will carry the baby.

  • In vitro fertilisation (IVF): In vitro fertilisation (IVF) is when an egg is fertilised outside the body. The eggs are retrieved from the ovary and fertilised with a sperm in the lab. Then, the embryo formed is inserted in the womb to develop.

Lifestyle/management

After conception, the following changes require to be implemented during pregnancy:


  • Having a healthy diet comprising fibre, fruits and vegetables, proteins, dairy and starch

  • Include food rich in folic acid, calcium and iron. 

  • Avoid caffeine, alcohol, drugs and smoking.

  • Do not take OTC medications or any other type of medications without asking the doctor

  • Remain physically active after discussing the same with the doctor.

Complications

Complications in conception may increase because of the following disorders:


  • Premature and early menopause: Premature menopause causes the lack of ovulation because of the lack of eggs. 

  • Endometriosis: Endometriosis cells release chemicals that interfere with the ability to conceive or affect early normal embryo development. Moreover, it causes scarring, which causes blockage that affects ovulation and sperm transport.

  • Adenomyosis: Causes change in the ability of uterine muscle contraction.

  • Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS): Hormonal imbalance causes a lack of ovulation or irregular ovulation.

  • Fibroids: Interfere with the implantation process and increase chances if there is miscarriage.

  • Thyroid problems: These cause decreased fertility and increased risk of miscarriage.


Complications that can occur after conception include: 

  • An ectopic pregnancy: It is when the pregnancy is outside the uterus; it is dangerous to the mother

  • Gestational diabetes: Diabetes developed during pregnancy

  • Miscarriage: Pregnancy loss before 20 weeks

  • Still birth: Pregnancy loss after 20 weeks

References

 


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  3. Your menstrual cycle. OASH. Available at: https://www.womenshealth.gov/menstrual-cycle/your-menstrual-cycle. Accessed on Aug 18, 2021. (https://www.womenshealth.gov/menstrual-cycle/your-menstrual-cycle)

  4. Am I pregnant? Early symptoms of pregnancy & when to test. Cleveland Clinic. Available at: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/9709-pregnancy-am-i-pregnant#:~:text=Despite%20its%20early%20appearance%20in,for%20a%20positive%20pregnancy%20test. Accessed on Jun 17, 2021. (https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/9709-pregnancy-am-i-pregnant#:~:text=Despite%20its%20early%20appearance%20in,for%20a%20positive%20pregnancy%20test)

  5. Having trouble conceiving. Jean Hailes. Available at: https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/fertility-pregnancy. Accessed on Jun 17, 2021 (https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/fertility-pregnancy)

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  8. Ovulation, conception & getting pregnant. Cleveland Clinic. Available at: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/11585-pregnancy-ovulation-conception-getting-pregnant. Accessed on Jun 17, 2021. (https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/11585-pregnancy-ovulation-conception--getting-pregnant)

  9. Contraception. CDC. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/reproductivehealth/contraception/index.htm. Accessed on Jun 17, 2021. (https://www.cdc.gov/reproductivehealth/contraception/index.htm)

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  11. What is contraception? NHS. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/contraception/what-is-contraception/. Accessed on Jun 17, 2021. (https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/contraception/what-is-contraception/)

  12. Anderson et al. Early pregnancy diagnosis. NCBI Bookshelf. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK556135/. Accessed on Aug 18, 2021. (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK556135/)

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  16. What is infertility: infertility causes, treatment, infertility doctors. UCLA. Available at: https://www.uclahealth.org/obgyn/infertility#:~:text=Tubal%20occlusion%20is%20a%20cause,fertilization%20(IVF)%20is%20required. Accessed on Jun 17, 2021. (https://www.uclahealth.org/obgyn/infertility#:~:text=Tubal%20occlusion%20is%20a%20cause,fertilization%20(IVF)%20is%20required)

  17. Treating Infertility. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Available at: https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/treating-infertility. Accessed on Jun 17, 2021. (https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/treating-infertility)

  18. Letrozole vs. clomiphene citrate for infertility in polycystic ovarian syndrome. University of North Dakota. Available at: https://commons.und.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1020&context=pas-grad-papers. Accessed on Aug 18, 2021. (https://commons.und.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1020&context=pas-grad-papers)

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  21. Infertility causes: types, risk factors, diagnosis & treatment. Cleveland Clinic. Available at: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/16083-infertility-causes. Accessed on Jun 17, 2021. (https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/16083-infertility-causes)

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