Duration from ovulation to fertilization
The time between ovulation and fertilization is very short, amounting to only a few hours. This is due to the fact that the egg cell is only capable of fertilisation for 12 – 24 hours. Within this time window, the sperm and egg must meet and unite, otherwise the egg will die. Fertilisation is therefore only possible again in the following cycle after ovulation.
Can you feel the ovulation?
Some women feel their ovulation in the form of the so-called Mittelschmerz or ovulation pain. This is a slight, pulling pain in the abdomen. Not all women feel middle pain, and if at all, it is often not perceived as pain at all, but only as a pulling sensation.
This is often so weak that it is not noticed in everyday life and is often not even consciously perceived. Middle pain usually occurs towards the middle of the cycle, which is why the term intermenstrual pain is also used. They occur individually either indeterminately in the abdomen, but some women can localise the sensation more precisely and assign it to the right or left side.
Can you feel the fertilization?
The fertilisation process of the egg cell is not noticeable. Both the egg and the male sperm are of very small size. In addition, they are not connected to the sensory system, which is why the fertilisation process itself cannot be felt.
In the further course of the process, however, implantation can be accompanied by noticeable symptoms. However, these do not occur regularly, which is why many women initially do not notice the implantation. It is not until the pregnancy develops further that the typical physical changes are usually noticed.
How can I recognize the implantation?
Several signs may indicate fertilisation with subsequent implantation of the embryo. It is important to stress that some possible signs of fertilisation are inaccurate and in no way conclusive. The changes mentioned below may also be symptoms of other processes in the body or even indications of disease.
In the further course the following signs appear:
- A possible change can be the so-called implantation pain. In this case, women feel a slight, pulling sensation in the abdomen about five to seven days after fertilisation and the migration of the germinal tract through the fallopian tube into the uterus. However, real pain is not felt during implantation.
- The so-called nidation bleeding can also be an indication of implantation. During the nidation process, a slight injury to the built-up and well supplied with blood uterine lining occurs. This can be noticed in the form of a weak bleeding from the vagina.
The amount of blood excreted is usually small and corresponds approximately to the amount of bleeding on the last day of menstruation or a spotting, for example when taking pills. The time of nidation bleeding can be between seven and fourteen days after ovulation and is often misinterpreted as menstrual bleeding. – The most common, self-detectable sign of fertilisation and thus of pregnancy is the absence of menstruation.
- Other, albeit uncertain and unspecific signs of fertilisation are the appearance of morning sickness and vomiting after a few weeks. – In addition, many women report pain, a feeling of tension and an increase in the size of their breasts shortly after the beginning of pregnancy and thus fertilisation. – The pregnancy hormone HCG can be detected by means of over-the-counter pregnancy urine tests or by taking a blood sample from a doctor.
However, a negative test does not necessarily rule out pregnancy. The concentration of HCG may simply still be too low to be detected at the time the test is performed. If you are unsure, it is advisable as a precaution to avoid alcohol and nicotine and to repeat the test in due course.
- Afterwards, it is necessary for the gynaecologist to trace the location of the pregnancy using ultrasound diagnostics. If an embryonic development in the uterus is successfully visualised, this is one of the sure signs that fertilisation has taken place with a regular site of implantation. For example, if the pregnancy test is positive and there is no menstruation, a lack of fertilisation in the uterus can be an indication of ectopic pregnancy.
Although this results in fertilisation of the egg, it does not cause physiological migration into the uterus. The dividing cell system remains in the fallopian tube and can cause serious complications. However, an inability to visualise the ovary can also simply indicate a very early pregnancy with an embryo that is still too small for ultrasound diagnostics. – The detection of a fetal heartbeat also presupposes fertilisation and is regarded as conclusive.
