ferilisation

[lil-mo]

where does fertilisation normally take place in the woman?

[Clanad]

Uterus...

[Pippa68]

^^ correct!

If you mean *when* rather than *where* then that would be during ovulation...approximately 14 days into the cycle if it is a 'normal' 28 day cycle.

If the cycle is longer or shorter, then adjust accordingly (somewhere around the middle!) an ovulation kit bought from the chemist will confirm ovulation times.

[drestie]

That's interesting Clanad, because we teach our students that it takes place in the fallopian tubes (oviducts). I am going to have to pull out my intro bio books to check this out :)

[drestie]

OK, I have looked it up and am going to have to beg to differ with Clanad and Pippa. The most common site of fertilisation is the oviduct.

[Clanad]

You know, drestie, i think you're technically right...
The Fallopian tubes or oviducts are two very fine tubes leading from the ovaries of female mammals into the uterus.

On maturity of an ovum, the follicle and the ovary's wall rupture, allowing the ovum to escape and enter the Fallopian tube. There it travels toward the uterus, pushed along by movements of cilia on the inner lining of the tubes. This trip takes hours or days. If the ovum is fertilized while in the Fallopian tube, then it normally implants in the endometrium when it reaches the uterus, which signals the beginning of pregnancy. (Accodring to Wikipedia, and we know they're never wrong)...

Of course the answer could be a Petri dish as well...

[Pippa68]

Of course you are right, estie :o) hence the occurance of ectopic pregnancies..!

Blimey you would think after 4 kids I would know all the goings on in my tubes wouldn't you? lol..