It is to be noted that a new life begins when the cells begin to divide to form the new individual. And the sperm and ovum unite, not in the womb, but in the Fallopian tube, or sometimes during the short journey from the ovary into the Fallopian tube. Conception takes place very rarely, if at all, in the womb. The fertilized ovum reaches the womb about the fourth to the eighth day after conception. Any act that stops the process after conception occurs, or that gets rid of the fertilized ovum, is abortion.
Meanwhile, activity goes on in the womb. A thick, soft, spongy lining, rich in blood vessels, has been made ready. This will form a "bed" for the fertilized ovum. In the case where no fertilization occurs, the blood vessels in the lining begin to be constricted. The lining eventually breaks down and is expelled through the cervix, manifesting itself in a period of bleeding, usually from four to seven days. This is called menstruation.
If conception has taken place, the fertilized ovum multiplies by cellular division, becoming a cluster of cells, but this cluster is extremely small as it travels down the tube. On reaching the womb, this cell cluster, now called a "blastocyst," imbeds itself in the soft lining. Scar tissue from the wound thus made in the lining closes over the site, protecting the tiny object. Later the growing embryo will protrude farther into the womb cavity, on a "body stalk" that eventually becomes the "umbilical cord." A bubblelike sac called the "amnion" forms around the embryo and the body stalk. This sac is filled with fluid, which serves as a shock absorber and also provides some nourishment for the forming baby.
Meanwhile, activity goes on in the womb. A thick, soft, spongy lining, rich in blood vessels, has been made ready. This will form a "bed" for the fertilized ovum. In the case where no fertilization occurs, the blood vessels in the lining begin to be constricted. The lining eventually breaks down and is expelled through the cervix, manifesting itself in a period of bleeding, usually from four to seven days. This is called menstruation.
If conception has taken place, the fertilized ovum multiplies by cellular division, becoming a cluster of cells, but this cluster is extremely small as it travels down the tube. On reaching the womb, this cell cluster, now called a "blastocyst," imbeds itself in the soft lining. Scar tissue from the wound thus made in the lining closes over the site, protecting the tiny object. Later the growing embryo will protrude farther into the womb cavity, on a "body stalk" that eventually becomes the "umbilical cord." A bubblelike sac called the "amnion" forms around the embryo and the body stalk. This sac is filled with fluid, which serves as a shock absorber and also provides some nourishment for the forming baby.
