A Graphic Presentation of the Process of Implantation into the endometrium

The first illustration show's the fertilization process. It is a representation of fertilization and the movement of the fertilized egg through the uterine tube. The sperms are represented by the small red structures. The yellow-brown sphere represents the egg cell. Fertilization is illustrated at the entrance to the uterine tube. A sperm attaches itself to the egg cell. It penetrates the egg cell while at the same discardes its tail. The egg is now fertilized and now its apperance on the photo is a purple sphere. The green arrows show how the fertilized egg moves through the uterine tube towards the uterus.

The following pictures represent how the the egg attaches itself to the endometrium and then buries itself in the endometrium.

	The dot represents the fertilized egg as it arrives in the uterus.
	This is a representation of the fertilized egg attaching itself to the endometrium.
	In this picture the embryo is burying itself into the endometrium.
	This is an enlarged view of the embryo burying into the endometrium. The purple line represents the lining of the endometrium. The yellow coming off the "ball" is a structure formed by the embryo. This structure is calld a trophoblast. It will infiltrate and dissolve parts of the endometrium and blood vessel's. Blood from the infitrated blood vessel's will overtake spaces in the trophoblast. The embryo later will gain its oxygen and nutrients from this diverted blood. The placenta will develop from the trophoblast.
	The yellow structure is now larger and is invading a blood vessels fom the mother. The tiny dots coming off the trophoblast are blood filled cavities with the trophoblast.
	In this picture the trohoblast is continuing to grow and invade blood vessels. As the trophoblast grows it buries itself deeper into the endometrium. Blood from the mother is diverted to the trophoblast.
	The trophoblast is continuing to bury itself. As it does this it pulls the embryo with it.
	The embryo is almost completely implanted in the endometrium The surface of the endometrium (the purple line) is staring to grow over the embryo.
	The trophoblast continues to enlarge while the purple line almost covers the embryo.
	The embryo is now implanted and the (purple line) has completely covered the embryo. The trophoblast is continuing to grow.
	The mothers blood fills cavities within the trophoblast. As the trophoblast surround's the embryo some of the blood from the superficial cavities leaks into the uterus and then out the vagina. This is known as implantation bleeding and it seldom occurs in pregnancy.

Pregnancy: is defined as the time from conception until birth. It will usually last 36- 40 weeks. It begins from the first day of the woman's last menstrual period and is divided into three trimesters. The sperm will fertilize the egg in the uterine tube, drop down into the uterus and implant itself into the uterine wall. There the fertilized egg will grow and develop over the gestation period until it is ready to be born


Complications in pregnancies-Ectopic Pregnancy or tubal pregnancy The word ectopic is defined as out of place. In an ectopic pregnancy the fertilized egg is implanted outside of the uterus. Out of 95% of ectopic pregnancies the fertilized egg is implanted within the uterine tube. Therefore these types of pregnancies can also be called tubal pregnancies. Other area's where the fertilized egg can implant is in the abdomen, cervix or ovary. These types of pregnancies do not have sufficient tissue as in the uterus to help the fertilized egg grow. Therefore complications can arise such as the organ bursting that is housing the egg. These pregnancies do not end in a live birth. The causes of an ectopic pregnancy include the fertilized egg's inability to move quickly enough down the uterine tube to the uterus. Infections or inflammation of the uterine tube can also have an effect. PID (pelvic inflammatory disease) which can be caused by chlamydia or gonorrhea can cause blockage of the tube. Those women who are a high risk for having an ectopic pregnancy include those women who are over age 35, have had PID, surgery on a uterine tube, a previous ectopic pregnancy, and infertility problems.

Ways to Prevent Pregnancy:

There are many different methods to prevent pregnancy. One common method is birth control. The FDA has approved and studied a number of birth control methods. The choice of birth control intake depends on factors such as the persons health, frequency and quality of sexual activity, number of sexual partners, and the desire to have children in the future. Failure rates based on these statistics estimate, are another factor. The best way to prevent and void unwanted pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases or infection is to practice total abstinence from sexual contact.


Barrier Methods- this refers to birth control and the prevention of pregnancy.

1) Barrier methods- a physical barrier used to prevent sperm from reaching the uterus. This includes condoms, which when used properly, collect the sperm and keep them from entering the reproductive tract. Condoms are the ONLY birth control method that helps protect against sexually transmitted diseases. Diaphragms, cervical caps and spermicidal foams and gel are also examples of barrier methods.

2) Intrauterine devices (IUD)- T-shaped structures inserted into the uterus by a doctor. Once in place this prevents fertilization from occurring. An IUD contains copper or synthetic progesterone, which help prevent implantation.

3)Chemical methods- oral contraceptives are most commonly used, and they work by preventing ovulation. Estrogen and progesterone patches are also commonly used. Thy are similar in their function to the pill, but they are patches that are put on the skin and only have to be changed once a week.

4)Abstinence-This includes not engaging in sexual intercourse. This is the only 100% effective form of birth control!

Pregnancy Pains

*Braxton Hicks

Braxton Hicks contractions can begin as early as the second trimester, however they are most common in the third trimester. The muscles of your uterus tighten for approximately 30 to 60 seconds or as long as 2 minutes. Braxton Hicks are also called “practice contractions” because they will prepare you for the real thing and you can practice the breathing exercises you are learning in your childbirth classes. Braxton Hicks are described as: Irregular in intensity, Infrequent, Unpredictable, Non-rhythmic, More uncomfortable than painful, they do not increase in intensity, or frequency. They taper off and then disappear altogether If your contractions are easing up in any way, they are most likely Braxton Hicks.There are a few speculations for why women have these contractions. Some physicians and midwives think they may play a part in toning the uterine muscle and promoting the flow of blood to the placenta. They are not believed to have any connection with dilating the cervix, but may have some effect on the softening of the cervix. However, as Braxton Hicks contractions become more intense closer to the time of delivery, the contractions are considered false labor which can help in the dilation and effacement process.

Labor and Delivery
"Remember, a lot of what happens in obstetrics is based on the medical belief that something might go wrong at any moment rather than the belief that most women can give birth just fine without any intervention." This statement comes from a labor and delivery nurse who has 4 children of her own. She has written a nice article about moving during labor.



Breast Feeding-
Breast feeding is feeding an infant with milk directly from a woman's breast. During the first few weeks after delivery, the mother may experence unterine contractions called afterpains.These uterus contractions help shrink the uterus to its pre-pregnancy size. Afterpains typically become less noticeable and cease a few weeks after birth, by which time the uterus has shrunk considerably. Breast feeding is thought to be the best source of nourishment for an infant. It is also been proven to help infants build stronger immunities to infections and diseases.

"Human milk is the preferred feeding for all infants, including premature and sick newborns...It is recommended that breastfeeding continue for at least the first 12 months, and thereafter for as long as mutually desired"
- excerpt from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) breastfeeding guidelines

Benefits of Breastfeeding
101 Reasons to Breastfeed

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