Educational Material>Pregnancy>Conception

Conception

Conception is when a sperm cell and an egg join together. For conception to occur, a sperm needs to come into contact with an egg and fertilize it. It happens (most often) during intercourse where the penis enters the vagina.

Pregnancy can be confirmed when the embryo settles in the endometrium (thin lining inside the uterus) - usually 2-3 weeks after intercourse, when a certain hormone (called hCG) can be measured with a pregnancy test. When counting the days of pregnancy, however, counting starts from the day the last period started.

Pregnancies are measured in weeks and days and start from the first day of the last period - but that day takes place before the conception itself!

There are methods of conception performed by doctors, but it is most often used by those who have difficulty with conventional conception or who are not in a heterosexual relationship.

When does conception occur?

Conception occurs around ovulation. During each menstrual cycle, an egg is released from the ovaries. From there, the egg travels into a fallopian tube, where the egg can meet a sperm cell and be fertilized.

Conception can take place as soon as a person starts menstruating during puberty. Having a period means that you have started ovulating and can get pregnant.

If the menstrual cycle is regular, it is very likely that ovulation will occur every month and usually at a similar time within the menstrual cycle. In an irregular menstrual cycle, ovulation can occur almost at any time, but most often it is assumed that ovulation occurs approximately 14 days before the first day of the period starts.

Due to the irregular nature of most people's menstrual cycles, having sex without contraception is risky even if you think you know when you are ovulating. The highest chance of conception is in the days around ovulation. Other days in the menstrual cycle are "safer" days, enclosed in quotation marks, because conception can occur at any time during the menstrual cycle - even during or just after a period.

Sperm can live for several days after intercourse, and eggs can remain in the fallopian tubes for some time. Therefore, it is safest to use birth control unless you are aiming to have a child.

How does conception occur?

As previously mentioned, the process starts with a sperm cell and an egg. Sperm cells are formed in the testicles and oocytes (eggs) in the ovaries.

At ovulation, one mature egg is released from the ovaries and travels towards the uterus through the fallopian tubes. This journey takes 12-24 hours and meanwhile the egg is waiting to meet a sperm cell. During ejaculation, sperm is injected into the vagina. The sperm cells swim into the uterus and from there into the fallopian tubes where they meet the egg.

A sperm cell can live for up to 6 days while searching for the egg, but if no fertilization occurs it dies. If fertilization is successful, the fertilized egg (called an embryo) travels down the fallopian tube and all the way to the uterus. There, the embryo attaches to the endometrium and produces hormones that prevent menstruation - because if it were to occur, the embryo would be released out with menstrual blood. Therefore, you stop getting periods during pregnancy.

The first few weeks

In the picture you can see the embryo - a small cluster of cells that has attached itself to the endometrium. At this point, pregnancy tests can detect the pregnancy, but usually the main symptom at this time is a late period.

Questions and answers about conception

How do I know if I am pregnant?

The main symptoms of pregnancy are a late period, tension and tenderness in the breasts, fatigue and nausea. If a pregnancy is suspected, the first step is to confirm it. The most common way to find out is by taking a pregnancy test. They are available in pharmacies, some supermarkets, gas stations and online stores (e.g. on pharmacy websites)

During pregnancy, a hormone (human chorionic gonadotrophin, hCG) is produced in the body. Pregnancy tests detect this hormone in urine. A pregnancy test is reliable if you follow the instructions that come with the test.

When should I take a pregnancy test?

Most pregnancy tests are reliable from the day your period was supposed to start, generally around two weeks after conception/ovulation. If you do not know when your next period should start, we recommend taking a pregnancy test three weeks after unprotected intercourse.

A pregnancy test can be falsely negative if it is taken too early because the hormone hCG has not started to form in the body!

Can I get pregnant as a trans man taking testosterone?

There aren't many records of trans men getting pregnant while on full hormone therapy. However, trans men who stop treatment and have not had genital surgery can still get pregnant when treatment has been stopped long enough.

Can a girl get pregnant while she is on her period?

Getting pregnant while on period is highly unlikely, but it is theoretically possible to ovulate 2-3 days after a period and since sperm can live up to 6 days inside the uterus/fallopian tubes, fertilization can occur.

What should I do if I get a positive pregnancy test?

If the pregnancy test is positive, it is fairly certain that it is correct. It is recommended to call your health care center (,,Heilsugæslan’’ in Iceland) and schedule an initial maternity care appointment. The first interview usually takes place between the 8th and 12th week of pregnancy and is free of charge.

Further information

I can't imagine waiting for my first appointment until the 8th-12th week of pregnancy. Is it possible to get an appointment earlier?

Yes, you can get an appointment earlier in private health care. Early pregnancy can be confirmed by ultrasound approximately 7 weeks after the first day of the last period. You can make an appointment with a gynecologist or midwife who performs sonograms. Keep in mind that private health care is more expensive than traditional maternity care at a health care clinic.

If there are questions about gestational age, symptoms of pregnancy or other things related to the pregnancy, a midwife or doctor should be consulted soon after the pregnancy is confirmed. Midwives at the clinics offer telephone appointments, answer questions and provide advice.

If I get a negative pregnancy test, am I definitely not pregnant?

Not necessarily, it is possible that you are pregnant even though the pregnancy test was negative. If you take the test before you were supposed to start your period, it may be negative even though you are pregnant - it’s just too early to detect. If pregnancy is suspected despite a negative test, it is a good idea to repeat the test a week later. If it is also negative and menstruation has not started, it is recommended to talk to a doctor.

I am pregnant. Do I need to take any special vitamins or supplements?

It is recommended to take vitamin D and folate tablets (folacin, folic acid) daily during pregnancy, or at least for the first 12 weeks. Adequate supplies of folate minimize the risk of severe fetal central nervous system defects.

Other recommendations

The use of tobacco/nicotine, alcohol or other drugs during pregnancy is not recommended. If it turns out to be difficult to stop using tobacco/nicotine, alcohol or drugs without help, you should seek advice from a midwife or doctor at the health care center as soon as possible.

Want to know more?

If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact us and we will help any way we can!