You probably know that if you’re pregnant, a baby is on the way - but what exactly happens when a girl gets pregnant?
Pregnancy takes place when male sperm fertilises a female’s egg cell. Female eggs are produced and stored in the ovary. At the commencement of ovulation an egg begins to move down the fallopian tube. The male sperm travels up the female vagina into the uterus and then into the fallopian tube. The egg is fertilised when the egg and the sperm meet in the fallopian tube.
Male sperm is found in semen, the fluid that flows out of the penis during sex. The fertilised egg (now called an embryo) moves down the fallopiantube to the uterus. The embryo attaches itself to the uterus wall which has been made welcoming by the normal monthly hormonal build up of blood lining the uterus during the menstrual cycle. Once attached, the embryo slowly grows into a full size baby over a 40 week period. After eight weeks, the embryo is usually called a foetus.
If fertilisation and a pregnancy does not occur, the blood lining the uterus flows away as a monthly period.
Any time you have sex, there is a slight risk that you will become pregnant. No one contraception method is 100% effective. Though the risk might be low (eg. 1-2%), pregnancy can occur even if only a small amount of semen comes into contact with the vagina. This is why ‘contraception’ methods like withdrawal (taking the penis out of the vagina before ejaculation) can still result in pregnancy.
How can I tell if I’m pregnant?
The first sign of pregnancy is a missed period. However, if you are pregnant, there’s usually other signs as well. These signs vary from woman to woman and from pregnancy to pregnancy, but may include:
very light or short period (only a small amount of blood)
swelling, tenderness or tingling in the breasts
going to the toilet to pass urine frequently
feeling very tired
nausea (sick feeling in the stomach) or vomiting
feeling bloated or having stomach cramps
appetite changes (this could mean more hungry or less hungry)
changes in digestion (constipation, heartburn)
mood changes.
If you’ve had sex recently and you haven't had a pregnancy test yet, don't assume you are pregnant. Have the test and find out for sure. You can buy a pregnancy test at any large supermarket or chemist. You can find out if you’re pregnant just by doing a simple urine test at home. If you follow the instructions exactly, you should get an accurate result. The most common reason for a falsely negative result is doing the test too early. Painkillers such as aspirin and paracetamol, the pill, antibiotics and alcohol do not affect the result of pregnancy tests.
What should I do if I find out I’m pregnant?
Most importantly – talk to someone you trust. This could be your partner, parent,a friend or a medical professional such as your doctor, family planning clinic or sexual health clinic. You may have a lot of mixed feelings about being pregnant and what options you have – this is normal.
The contents of this website are supplied for information only and should not be relied upon as medical advice.
If medical advice or other expert assistance is required, the services of a competent professional should be sought. Disclaimer
