During intercourse, as much as 500 million sperms are released into the cervix. From there, the journey begins. The sperms have to travel a distance of about 15 to 18cm from the vagina, through the cervix and to the ovarian end of the fallopian tubes. This journey can take anytime between half an hour to several days. This is because they encounter many obstacles along the way and have to battle cervical mucus which can often be thick and difficult to pass though. However, at the time of ovulation, or day 14 of your cycle, cervical mucus is usually runny and transparent and is therefore the most favourable for the sperm.

Many sperms tire and die along the way

Along the way, many sperms will tire, some will encounter a battle with your immune system in the form of white cells (especially if mild infection is present) and die. Only several hundred make it to the egg.

Only 1 sperm can break through and fuse with egg

Once there, the sperm work together to burrow through the many protective layers surrounding your egg. They release enzymes that help break these barriers down. This is not an easy process, more sperms will perish. After several hours, one sperm eventually breaks through. Almost instantly, a chemical reaction takes place, the outer surface of the egg changes such that only the winning sperm is inside. This protective mechanism causes the rest of the sperm to be trapped outside, ensuring that only 1 sperm can fuse with your egg.

The 23 chromosomes each carried by the sperm and egg now combine to total 46, a new life begins. It's now been a good 20 hours since coitus, fertilisation has finally taken place.