Gynecology And Obstetrics-

The implantation of the egg cell

What is the implantation of the egg?

After the egg has been successfully fertilized, it migrates as a so-called Blastocyst through the fallopian tube towards the uterus. In the uterus, it attaches to the uterine lining. Various processes in the blastocyst cause it to be completely surrounded by the lining of the uterus within a few days. This process is called implantation. This firm hold in the uterus is essential for the further development of the germ.

procedure

After the egg cell has been fertilized, it migrates through the fallopian tubes towards the uterus. On the way, the egg cell begins to divide. At this stage it is called a blastocyst. The blastocyst is initially of a so-called Glass skin (Zona pellucida) surround. This prevents the blastocyst from implanting too early - for example in the fallopian tube.

Only in the uterus does the blastocyst slip out of the glass skin. Now the blastocyst can attach itself to the uterine lining with the embryonic pole. This usually happens in the upper area of the back wall of the uterus. But there are also cases of implantation on the anterior wall. The outer cell layer of the blastocyst differentiates into two different cell types (Syncytiotrophoblasts and cytotrophoblasts) out. One of these cell types, the syncytiotrophoblasts, causes the germ to fuse with the cells of the uterine lining, that is, to ensure a secure hold during further development.

At the end of this process, around the beginning of the second week, the entire germ is surrounded by the lining of the uterus. This condition persists throughout the rest of the pregnancy. The cells that are responsible for implantation also release hormones into the body, which are essential for maintaining pregnancy.

I can tell from these symptoms that the egg is implanting

There are a number of symptoms or signs that suggest that the egg is implanting. However, none of the symptoms is a sure sign of the beginning of a pregnancy. Only a pregnancy test can give a reliable statement here.

A classic sign of implantation is the so-called implantation bleeding (Nidation bleeding). It is rather easy and can easily be mistaken for menstrual bleeding. However, intermenstrual bleeding can also occur when taking contraceptives or having an irregular cycle.

Another sign of implantation is pulling pain in the abdomen. The pain is caused by the blastocyst migrating through the fallopian tube. Often these pains are relatively easy, so that they are hardly noticed.

There are also other signs that are grouped under the uncertain pregnancy signs. They are not always noticed at the same time as the implantation, but can take a few days to develop.

These signs include:

nausea
Vomit
Tension in the chest
darker colored areolas
Discoloration of the vaginal entrance

You might also be interested in: Signs of pregnancy

nausea

Nausea is one of the so-called unsafe signs of pregnancy. The nausea is caused by the pregnancy hormone beta-HCG causes and affects approx. 80% of all pregnant women. Classically, it occurs at the beginning of pregnancy and can therefore also be a sign of implantation. The severity of the nausea can be very different. Some women feel only slightly nauseous and not vomit. Then there is the typical morning sickness, in which the symptoms subside as the day progresses. If the symptoms are pronounced, the nausea and vomiting can persist throughout the day.

Back pain

Back pain at the time of implantation is rather unusual and should be clarified. Back pain is typical only in advanced pregnancy. Possible causes of back pain at this early stage of pregnancy could be a particularly fast growing uterus or an unnatural curve in the direction of the spine. In addition, an ectopic pregnancy can cause back pain, among other symptoms. It is similar with a miscarriage. Therefore, if you have back pain in early pregnancy, you should always consult a doctor.

Flatulence

Flatulence is not a typical sign of implantation and can have many different causes. However, every woman reacts differently to the implantation of the egg, which is why it cannot be ruled out that flatulence can sometimes be the first sign of pregnancy. However, a pregnancy test should be done as a backup.

fever

Fever is not an uncertain sign of pregnancy or an egg implantation. However, there have been isolated reports that a fever occurred during the implantation phase. However, this is not the case for the majority of pregnant women during implantation.

stomach pain

During the migration of the blastocyst through the fallopian tube and also when implanting in the uterine lining, pulling pains in the lower abdomen can occur. Often these pains are only very weak, so that they are hardly noticeable.

The pain is mostly perceived by women who have a special perception of their own body when they want to have children. They are so sensitized to any changes that they can also perceive this slight abdominal pain.

cramps

Cramps in the lower abdomen, as well as abdominal pain, can be perceived as implantation pain by particularly sensitive women. Often, however, the cramps during implantation are of such low intensity that they can hardly be felt. Since there are many other causes of abdominal cramps as well, the symptom cannot be safely associated with implantation. It should also be noted that cramps in this area can often occur as part of the normal menstrual cycle, making it almost impossible to differentiate.

Find out more at: Pregnancy symptoms

Tension in the chest

A feeling of tension or a pulling in the chest is assigned to the uncertain signs of pregnancy. With successful fertilization and implantation, the pregnancy hormone beta-HCG is released from the germ cells. On the one hand, the hormone is important for maintaining pregnancy, and on the other hand, it triggers various restructuring processes in the body, which are important for pregnancy or after the birth. In this context, milk production is stimulated on the breast shortly after implantation. The resulting swelling can be felt as a pulling of the chest.

Temperature drop

A drop in temperature is not a typical sign of egg implantation. There are reports by women who regularly check their body temperature that the temperature has dropped about 6 days after ovulation. However, a scientific connection has not yet been established and a drop in temperature cannot be interpreted as a sign of implantation.

Change in discharge

In the second half of the cycle, i.e. after ovulation, only a small amount of cervical mucus is formed if there is no pregnancy. This is also only a little creamy and not spinnable. Once implanted, there may be a comparatively increased production of cervical mucus. This is also creamy-white and spinnable, so very similar to the one in the first half of the cycle. The cervical mucus is important in a successful pregnancy to seal the cervix against ascending infections.

What is implantation bleeding?

The implantation bleeding (Nidation bleeding) is a classic sign of the egg cell implantation. The bleeding is caused by the fusion, i.e. the "fusion" of the outer cells of the germ (syncytiotrophoblasts) and the cells of the uterine lining. The lining of the uterus is maximally thickened in the second half of the cycle in order to ensure optimal conditions for implantation. Through the mucous membrane So-called spiral arteries meander. These blood vessels are essential for supplying the placenta after implantation. Because the uterine lining is so well supplied with blood, bleeding can easily occur during implantation. The bleeding is rather light and is completely safe for the further development of the pregnancy, but it can also be confused with a premature menstrual period, which is why only a pregnancy test can give a reliable answer to the question of a possible pregnancy.

More information can be found here: Implantation bleeding

What is implantation pain?

Implantation pain is described as the pain that can be felt during the migration of the blastocyst through the fallopian tube and during the actual implantation in the uterine lining. Scientific is this pain so far not yet confirmed and is therefore not counted among the uncertain signs of pregnancy. Many women do not even notice the implantation, as the pain of implantation is usually very low in intensity.

But there are also reports, especially from women who listen to their bodies very sensitively, that a pulling in the abdomen or even a slight pain was perceived a few days after ovulation. A pain or pulling in the abdomen can also have many other causes and is not atypical of the regular menstrual cycle. Therefore, the distinction between pregnancy or not is usually not based on the pain perceived.

Read more on the subject at: Implantation pain

How can I support / promote implantation?

The process of implantation of the blastocyst in the uterine lining cannot be directly influenced by external factors. Nevertheless, if you want to have children, you should pay attention to a healthy diet, sufficient exercise and as little stress as possible in advance. Furthermore, if possible, no alcohol should be consumed or smoked. Although these measures do not have a direct scientific impact on implantation, they are extremely important for the further development of the unborn child. Therefore, if you want to have children, it is recommended that you take preparations such as folic acid even before pregnancy. If you are unsure which measures should be taken to create optimal conditions for the pregnancy, a clarifying discussion with a gynecologist can help.

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When does implantation take place?

The current process of implanting an egg is as follows:

During the 2nd to 5th day During the embryonic development, the germ migrates through the fallopian tubes towards the uterus.
On the 5th day the blastocyst then slips out of the glass skin and is ready for implantation.
The implantation takes place on the following 6th day of embryonic development. In some sources, the 5th day is given as the day of implantation, as this is when the blastocyst begins to attach to the uterine lining.
About a week later, to Beginning of the second weekthe implantation is then complete.

Duration of the implantation of the egg cell

The egg cell reaches the uterus around the 5th day after fertilization. On this day, the blastocyst slips out of the protective glass skin (zona pellucida) and can attach to the uterine lining. The first contact between the blastocyst and the uterine lining occurs on the 5th or 6th day after fertilization. It takes about 7-8 days until the implantation is completely completed, so that the implantation of the egg cell is complete at the beginning of the second week after fertilization.

What is the implantation syringe?

The implantation syringe is used for in vitro fertilization (IVF) is used. The drug Triptorelin (trade name: Decapeptyl) injected as a depot. The drug works in the same way as the body's own hormone GnRH (gonadotropin-releasing hormone). GnRH is naturally released in spurts by the body and has a stimulating effect on the hormones FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone) and LH (lutenizing hormone). These are in turn important for the release of the hormones estrogen and progesterone.

If the implantation injection is given regularly over the duration of a cycle, it abolishes the intermittent release of GnRH and thus has an inhibiting effect on the secretion of FSH, LH, estrogen and progesterone. This effect is desirable with IVF, as one tries to overstimulate the ovaries as much as possible so that the individual egg cells become as large as possible. For example, if LH were not inhibited by the implantation syringe, ovulation would occur before the egg cells were large enough for collection and in vitro fertilization.

Another application of triptorelin is the short-term administration approx. 6 days after the ovarian puncture. Due to the short-term administration after the procedure, the hormone production is increased in contrast to the continuous administration. The increased production is intended to promote implantation. Scientific studies have also shown that this can be an advantage for implantation. Nevertheless, the use of the implantation syringe is still controversial and is handled differently by the fertility centers.

Learn more at: Artificial insemination