How Are Babies Made – Know the Basics

The magical journey of making babies needs two vital things – an egg and a sperm. An egg is provided by the woman or the female of the species, whereas the sperm is provided by the man or male. New life is a miraculous thing that occurs, and it is marvellous to watch the whole process step by step. In this article, we will learn how to make a baby and some relevant information related to the same. Let’s take a look at how do you make a baby.

What Is Egg Development Process in Women?

Becoming parents is an important decision to be taken, and it all starts with the egg. Hundreds of tiny eggs rest inside a women’s ovaries waiting to move down the fallopian tube and into the uterus. Initially, when a baby girl is born, she will have millions of eggs in her ovaries, but by the time she becomes an adult and reaches sexual maturity, it reduces to a few hundred. In a lifetime, approximately 400 eggs get released during the reproductive years starting with your first period till menopause (menopause is between age 45-55 years).

The ovaries are themselves responsible for the production of egg or ova or oocytes. It is important for the oocytes to travel down the fallopian tube into the uterus where fertilization would occur. Each month, the woman’s body releases one or two eggs into the fallopian tube. During the middle of the menstrual cycle which is somewhere between the ninth to the 28th day of the cycle, the egg gets released. The fallopian tubes which are about 4-inch canals then transport this egg to the uterus. This entire process known as ovulation is the time window for conception to take place. The egg has a lifespan of only 24 hours after ovulation. If the egg meets a sperm, then fertilization can occur for life to begin. Otherwise, the egg dies in the uterus and is dissolved or absorbed back into the body.

What Is the Sperm Making Process in Men?

Just like women, men also have a vital thing required to produce life called sperm. Unlike a woman though, a man makes millions of sperms every day. So a man’s body is constantly at work producing sperms with a sole intention of being able to penetrate an egg. While women are born with the eggs they will use in a lifetime, men produce sperm during their lifetime, and it is not ready-made. It takes between 64-72 days for new sperm cells to develop.

The sperm begins to develop in the testicles of a man, the two glands in the scrotal sac, below the penis. The testicles hang outside the man’s body due to their sensitivity to temperatures. In order to produce healthy sperm, they have to stay around 94 degrees Fahrenheit. The sperms are stored in a place called epididymis in the testicles before mixing with the semen for ejaculation.

Can Having an Orgasm Help Baby Making?

Several studies have shown that orgasm in a woman is helpful in conception. In men, having an orgasm, propels the sperm-rich semen, giving it the head start it needs to reach the egg. The wave-like contractions that a woman has during orgasm help pull the sperm further into the cervix.

Often couples wonder if there is a best position in the baby making process. However, in order to make a baby, the most important thing is that both the partners are ready to begin the journey of parenthood and also share a deep connection. There are positions which allow for deeper penetration, but there has been no evidence to prove that it helps how babies are formed.

Which Sperm Reaches the Egg First?

It is hard to determine which sperm will reach the egg first when a couple wonders how to make a baby? There are not many expectations one can have except hope. After sex, it is helpful to place a pillow behind the woman’s back elevating her bottom to help gravity to do the work and make her comfortable.

While you and your partner cuddle and have a conversation, great things are happening inside the woman’s body. The millions of sperms released have to travel to find the egg and endure a difficult journey. There is also an obstacle which is the acid level in the vagina which can be deadly to the sperm. Then there is cervical mucus which is dangerous except on days when the woman is most fertile. Only the strongest sperm makes it through. The total distance travelled by a sperm is about 7 inches from the cervix through the uterus.

How Does the Egg Get Fertilized?

If the egg isn’t there in one of the fallopian tubes, then fertilization does not take place. Only a few dozen sperms make it to the egg. The rest get trapped, head down the wrong fallopian tube and die. The lucky ones who get through, have to still penetrate the egg’s outer shell and get in before the others. The toughest one who makes it will begin the process of creating life. As soon as sperm is in, the egg changes instantly so that no other sperm can make it through. It builds a protective sheet and locks the sperm inside. This process is called fertilization. This entire process can last up to 3-4 days, but the fertilization itself occurs within 24 hours.

Is Lying on Your Back After Sex Effective in Increasing Chances of Pregnancy?

No scientific evidence supports that a particular sex position increases the chances of conceiving.
The only thing you can do is to make sure you and your partner have a good time and have sex frequently enough to have live sperm in the woman’s reproductive tract during ovulation. You should aim to have sex every two days during the middle of your cycle.

What Happens After Fertilization?

Once fertilization takes place, the cells start dividing rapidly. You are not actually pregnant until that bundle of cells known as the embryo, travels back down the fallopian tube and attaches itself to the wall of the uterus.

However, if the embryo implants itself in the fallopian tube or any region outside the uterus, an ectopic pregnancy takes place. This is dangerous and is not a suitable case. Medication has to be taken to stop it from growing or surgery to prevent the fallopian tubes from rupturing.

The final part of the journey of the fertilized egg takes 3-4 days, but it will take several weeks before you miss your period and realise you may be having a baby. If you miss your period or see any other signs of pregnancy, a home pregnancy test is a must.

What Are the Chances of Increasing the Odds of Getting Pregnant?

You might wonder if certain positions increase the likelihood of conception. However, the truth is that the position during ejaculation doesn’t significantly impact the chances of getting pregnant. The idea of lying on your back after intercourse to aid sperm movement is also unfounded.

Another misconception is that a woman must have an orgasm to conceive. While some believe that uterine and cervical contractions during orgasm might help sperm movement, no scientific evidence supports this theory. Ultimately, finding what works best for you and your partner is the most important factor. You could welcome a baby in about nine months with proper timing and luck!

Things You Can Do to Increase the Chances of Getting Pregnant

While getting pregnant depends on various factors, including individual health and fertility, there are some things you can do to increase your chances of conception.

1. Track Your Menstrual Cycle

Understanding your menstrual cycle is crucial for optimizing your chances of making a baby. Keep track of your menstrual periods and identify your fertile window, which is the time when you are most likely to conceive. The fertile window usually occurs around the time of ovulation, which is when your ovary releases an egg. It typically happens midway through your cycle, but this can vary from woman to woman. There are various methods to track your ovulation, such as using ovulation predictor kits, monitoring changes in cervical mucus, or tracking basal body temperature.

2. Maintain a Healthy Lifestyle

A healthy lifestyle can significantly impact fertility. Here are some key aspects to focus on:

• Nutrition – Eat a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and healthy fats. Proper nutrition can help regulate hormones and improve fertility.
• Exercise – Engage in regular moderate exercise, as it can help with weight management and overall well-being. However, excessive exercise may have a negative impact on fertility, so it’s essential to strike a balance.
  Weight management – Being either underweight or overweight can affect fertility, so maintaining a healthy weight is important.
• Avoid harmful substances – Smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, and illicit drug use can harm fertility, so it’s best to avoid these substances.
• Manage stress – High levels of stress can interfere with hormonal balance and ovulation. Practice stress-reducing techniques such as meditation, yoga, or hobbies you enjoy.

3. Have Regular, Timed Intercourse

To increase your chances of getting pregnant, have regular intercourse during your fertile window. It is typically around the time of ovulation. Frequent sexual activity during this period increases the likelihood of sperm meeting the egg, which is how a baby is formed.

What Sex Will a Baby Be?

The sex of the baby is determined by both the sperm and the egg. Each sperm and each egg have what is called the ‘sex chromosome’, one of it to be precise. There are two kinds of sex chromosomes, XY and XX. The egg carries only the XX chromosome whereas the sperm carries the XY. If it is X+X, then it is a baby girl, and if it is X+Y, then it is a baby boy. The different characteristics, features, manners are all a result of what we get from our parents. So your baby will get a combination of both your personalities, making them unique and one of a kind.

Other Ways to Make a Baby

Alternative ways to make a baby exist beyond natural conception. Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART) offer medical procedures like IVF, ICSI, IUI, GIFT, ZIFT, and egg or sperm donation to aid conception. Surrogacy involves a woman carrying a baby for the intended parents. Adoption is a legal process where individuals or couples become parents of a child not biologically related to them. Fostering entails caring for a child temporarily, usually when they can’t be with their birth family. Same-sex couples may utilize donor sperm or eggs, surrogacy, or adoption to conceive. Each path to parenthood is unique, allowing people to choose the best option based on their circumstances and preferences. Consulting healthcare providers or fertility specialists can provide guidance and support throughout the journey to creating a family.

When to Visit a Specialist?

To enhance the likelihood of starting a family, women and men need to take a proactive approach to assessing their fertility health.

For men, a semen analysis can reveal important information about sperm quality and quantity. On the other hand, women can benefit from hormonal testing and an ultrasound and hysterosalpingogram (HSG) to gain a comprehensive understanding of their chances of conceiving.

Also, if you are experiencing irregular periods, ovulatory disorders, or a history of early menopause or premature ovarian insufficiency, you should see a fertility specialist.

FAQ

1. What Is the Process of an Egg Turning Into Baby?

The process of an egg turning into a baby begins with fertilization. During sexual intercourse, sperm travels to the fallopian tube, where it may encounter and penetrate the egg, resulting in fertilization. The fertilized egg, now called a zygote, starts dividing rapidly as it travels down the fallopian tube towards the uterus. Once in the uterus, it implants into the uterine lining and continues dividing, forming a ball of cells known as an embryo. Over the next weeks and months, the embryo develops into a fetus, growing and developing vital organs and body systems. After about 40 weeks of gestation, the fetus is fully developed and ready for birth, resulting in the birth of a baby.

Mental, physical and psychological preparation is important when thinking about having a baby. Most important for couples though is to share a bond and bring a child into this world with love and compassion.

References/Resources:

1. Female Reproductive System; my.clevelandclinic.org; https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/9118-female-reproductive-system

2. Male Reproductive System; kidshealth.org; https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/male-reproductive.html.

3. Sperm release pathway; medlineplus.gov; https://medlineplus.gov/ency/anatomyvideos/000121.htm

4. How to increase your chance of getting pregnant; yourfertility.org.au; https://www.yourfertility.org.au/how-increase-your-chance-getting-pregnant

5. How to get pregnant; mayoclinic.org; https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/getting-pregnant/in-depth/how-to-get-pregnant/art-20047611

6. How to Get Pregnant – Best Tips to Help You Conceive; americanpregnancy.org; https://americanpregnancy.org/getting-pregnant/how-to-get-pregnant/

Also Read: How to Make a Baby Smart and Intelligent