Trying to Conceive

What's happening insideWhen the two nuclei have pooled their genetic material to create a cell containing its full complement of 46 chromosomes-23 each from the mother and father-the cell can start dividing, shown here at the first division creat...

What's happening insideThis is an embryo at the 16-cell stage, when it has changed from a zygote into a morula. It is in the process of dividing into a hollow ball of cells-the blastocyst-which will eventually implant in the lining of the uterus....

What's happening insideYour eggs are already developing, as can be seen in this color-enhanced ovary. The small white structures are the immature follicles that contain the eggs at different stages of development. Once one of the follicles mature...

What's happening insideThe ovary can be seen here at the end of the fallopian tube. At around this time of the menstrual cycle, a follicle at the surface of the ovary releases an egg, which is swept down the tube by clearly visible fingerlike pro...

What's happening insideHere the egg is shown surrounded by sperm. Although only one sperm will fertilize the egg, several hundred are thought to be necessary to break down its defensive layers and enable fertilization to take place. ...

What's happening insideHere is a diagram of a human egg cell 24 hours after fertilization. Around the egg is a thick layer (yellow) that has now become impenetrable. The circles inside, or pro-nuclei, contain genetic material from the mother and ...

Your baby todayThe ball of cells, known as the blastocyst, that will form the embryo has now completely embedded within the lining of the uterus and the lining has regenerated over it.Unfortunately, in the complex process of conception, only abou...

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What's happening insideThe sperm cell can be seen here inside the fallopian tube. Since sperm can stay active and alive inside you for up to 72 hours, it's possible to get pregnant even if you don't ovulate for two to three days from now. ...

What's happening insideAs ovulation approaches, more cervical mucus is produced. Here it has crystallized to form a "fern leaf" pattern. Around the time of ovulation the mucus becomes clear, slippery, and stretchy, which makes it easier for sperm...

What's happening insideHere, three developing ovarian follicles can be seen in white. The inner circle of each is the egg. Of the follicles shown, it is likely that only one will fully mature at ovulation and release an egg. ...

What's happening insideAs ovulation approaches, more cervical mucus is produced. Here it has crystallized to form a "fern leaf" pattern. Around the time of ovulation the mucus becomes clear, slippery, and stretchy, which makes it easier for sperm...

What's happening insideIn this color 3-D scan of the human brain, the green central structure is the hypothalamus. This controls emotions and body temperature, and releases chemicals that regulate the release of hormones from the pituitary gland ...

What's happening insideYour eggs are already developing, as can be seen in this color-enhanced ovary. The small white structures are the immature follicles that contain the eggs at different stages of development. Once one of the follicles mature...

When you're trying to get pregnant, it helps to be aware of lifestyle and medical factors that can affect your menstrual cycle. ...

Genes are located on rodlike structures called chromosomes that are found in the nucleus of every cell in the body. Each gene occupies a specific position on a chromosome. Because genes provide instructions for making proteins, and proteins deter...

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So you've decided to have a baby. Congratulations! Now comes the hard work of actively trying to conceive. Although there is no "magic" pill to get pregnant, some simple methods have been shown to increase your odds. Whether they are scientifical...