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Short Wave

Sperm Can't Really Swim And Other Surprising Pregnancy Facts

Aug 14, 2023
Selena Simmons-Duffin, an NPR health reporter, unpacks the fascinating science of the first week of pregnancy. She reveals how women are born with all the eggs they'll ever have and breaks down the complex journey of sperm struggling to reach the egg. The discussion also dives into the amazing transformation from zygote to blastocyst, highlighting the challenges of early pregnancy and the intricate processes of fertilization and implantation. Get ready for surprising insights about conception that are often overlooked!
14:17

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Sperm faces challenges in reaching the egg through female reproductive tract obstacles.
  • Implantation involves the womb actively pulling the blastocyst in for potential implantation.

Deep dives

Understanding the Science of the First Week of Pregnancy

The podcast delves into the detailed science of the first week of pregnancy beyond traditional knowledge. The episode features a discussion between Selena Simmons-Duffin and Regina Barber, exploring the complexities of pregnancy from a cellular level. Selena shares insights from her research on laws defining personhood at fertilization and the lack of resources explaining early pregnancy processes.

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