The mans sperm must swim up the vagina, into the uterus, and up the tubes that connect the ovaries to the uterus (called the fallopian tubes).
When the sperm reach the woman's egg, at least one sperm must eat through the outer casing of the egg and make it inside. This is called fertilization.
The newly fertilized egg must travel down to the uterus.
The egg must secure itself to the wall of the uterus. This is called implantation.
Graphic 73238 Version 4.0
View Originalfigure 1How pregnancy happens
To get pregnant (in the traditional way), a woman must have sex with a man around the time she ovulates (releases an egg from the ovary). Then the following steps must occur:The man's sperm must swim up the vagina, into the uterus, and up the tubes that connect the ovaries to the uterus (called the fallopian tubes).
When the sperm reach the woman's egg, at least one sperm must eat through the outer casing of the egg and make it inside. This is called fertilization.
The newly fertilized egg must travel down to the uterus.
The egg must secure itself to the wall of the uterus. This is called implantation.
Graphic 73238 Version 4.0
View Original