Conception and ovulation are actually two different processes. Conception is also known as fertilization. This is when the sperm cell enters and fertilizes the egg cell. It is considered as the beginning of life. Ovulation on the other hand is the process of discharging a mature egg cell out of the ovary and into the fallopian tube. This means that a woman is now ready to be impregnated.

Before conception occurs, there has to be ovulation first. For couples trying to get pregnant, knowing the ovulation phase is very important because there is only a short window of opportunity where it’s possible to get a woman pregnant.

Understanding the process of conception and ovulation

For women with regular menstrual cycle, ovulation occurs once a month. It begins when immature cells in one of the ovaries begin to form into follicles. Only one follicle reaches full maturation and it suppresses the growth of the other. When this follicle is mature enough, it ruptures and releases the egg from the ovary. This is called ovulation.

The egg then travels to the fallopian tube where it awaits a sperm to fertilize it. The ruptured follicle on the other hand is turned into corpus luteum which secretes estrogen and progesterone. The progesterone will help thicken the lining of the uterus (called the endometrium). This thickening of the uterus is done in preparation for the implantation of the embryo. The egg can only be fertilized 24 hours after ovulation. When the egg is fertilized by a sperm cell, then conception occurs.

However, when no sperm fertilizes the egg cell, the corpus luteum then degenerates and the release of the hormones are stopped. This causes the thickened endometrium to slough off and thus resulting to women’s monthly period or menstruation.

When a couple wants to conceive then their highest chance of getting pregnant is to have intercourse five days prior to ovulation, and one day after ovulation. The reason behind this is that while an egg cell is viable for only 24 hours, sperm cells can live inside the woman for about three to five days. Having intercourse 5 days before ovulation will give the couple more chances of getting the egg cell fertilized. That’s why knowing the woman’s ovulation is of great importance.

There are a few ways to know when a woman’s ovulation period is. The first is the calendar method. This is useful when a woman’s menstrual cycle is regular, because ovulation usually occurs two weeks before the first day of menstruation. Another way is by checking the BBT (or Basal Body Temperature). An increase in BBT would indicate ovulation. Another way of telling your near ovulation is by checking cervical fluids. When the cervical mucus becomes stretchy (where in you can stretch it between your fingers for about two to four inches) and transparent, then that’s a sign that you may be ovulating.

Conception and ovulation may be two different processes, but they are definitely linked to each other. If a woman is trying to conceive (or trying to avoid conception) then knowing about each process would be very helpful for her and her partner.