The Process of Conception

Understanding the process of conception can help you when trying to get pregnant. For conception to occur an egg must be present, which is released when a woman ovulates. Ovulation is the process of a mature egg breaking free from the ovary, traveling down the fallopian tube, and being available for fertilization.

Ovulation is stimulated by the pituitary gland's release of luteinizing hormone (LH) midway through a woman's menstrual cycle (11 to 21 days after the first day of a woman's menstrual period). Conception is most likely to occur around the time of ovulation. Sperm can live inside the female body for up to three days, but each mature egg can only be fertilized for 12 to 24 hours after it is released from the ovary.

Factors Affecting Your Chances of Getting Pregnant

Many factors must align for a woman to get pregnant. Some factors depend on the man, some on the woman.

First, the man must produce healthy, active sperm. Some medications, exposure to hazardous chemicals, use of marijuana and other illicit drugs, and use of hot tubs can impact male fertility.

Second, the woman must be fertile-her reproductive tract must be able to move the sperm into the fallopian tubes, and the uterine lining must be conducive to implantation and nourishment of the zygote as it divides and grows. STDs such as chlamydia can prevent pregnancy by blocking a woman's fallopian tubes.

As a woman ages, her reproductive potential decreases. If you are having trouble conceiving, you're not alone-about 10 percent of couples of childbearing age face problems trying to get pregnant, especially as women wait longer to have children.

Seeking Help Getting Pregnant

There are many reasons why a couple can have trouble when trying to get pregnant. Sometimes it's a question of simply having intercourse at times when the woman isn't at peak fertility - a problem that can be solved through fertility charting and following common tips for getting pregnant. Or it can be a sign of infertility or another issue that can be solved by seeking a fertility specialist for help getting pregnant.