Miscarriage

A pregnancy which ends before Twenty four weeks is called a
miscarriage, before 24 weeks is too early for a developing baby to survive
outside the mothers womb.

Having a miscarriage is common in about one in five pregnancies, the vast majority occur within the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. Having had three or more miscarriages is classed as recurrent miscarriages, which affects one in a hundred pregnant women, this does not mean to say that you will not go on, to have other successful pregnancies.

Is depression part of your life and you dont want it to be? is miscarriage the reason your feeling down, or is it the fear of losing a baby that is the cause of you being stressed out? Get help for you’re depression now.

Types of miscarriage

Threatened miscarriage is when you have bleeding early in your pregnancy and the cervix is firmly closed, your pregnancy is likely to continue, if a scan shows a normal heartbeat of your developing baby.

Inevitable miscarriage is when a miscarriage has started with bleeding and your cervix is open, which means your pregnancy will be lost.

Incomplete miscarriage is when a miscarriage begins but your womb still has tissue left.

Complete miscarriage means that your pregnancy has been lost, your womb has emptied and cervix has closed.

Missed miscarriage means that your developing baby has died, but you have not experienced any bleeding and didn’t lose any tissue straight away.

Symptoms of miscarriage

The most common symptoms of miscarriage is bleeding from the vagina, this varies from light spotting to bleeding really heavily, heavier than a period in full flow. You may also see blood clots or a brownie discharge, also cramping may occur and pains in the stomach (abdomen), pelvis and back ache.

Some women may not have any symptoms and the pregnancy may only be discovered via a routine scan.

If you are pregnant and have any type of bleeding from mild to severe you must always get this checked out with your GP, hospital or midwife immediately.

Causes of miscarriage

Around half of all early miscarriages occur because of chromosome problems combined with your egg and partners sperm during fertilisation. Other factors of miscarriage which are more likely include:

Smoking whilst pregnant

Problems with your immune system

Your age – half of all pregnancies in women over the age of
42 end in miscarriage

Drinking alcohol while you’re pregnant

Having an infection, such as listeria or malaria

A physical problem with your reproductive system

Health problems such as; poorly controlled diabetes, kidney
disease or polycystic ovarian syndrome

Miscarriage diagnosis

You’re doctor will ask you a number of questions about any symptoms you have had and then he/she will examine you. And may ask about your medical history, you may even be referred to see a gynaecologist to have some test carried out. Such as these below:

An ultrasound scan uses sound waves to produce an image of the inside of your womb.

Blood and urine tests can measure hormones associated with pregnancy called beta-human chorionic gonadotrophin and progesterone.

A pelvic examination may be done to check the source of any bleeding.

Prevention of miscarriage

In every pregnancy there is at risk of miscarriage; however, if you drink alcohol or smoke, your risk of having a miscarriage is higher. You can help to reduce your risk of pregnancy
problems by eating a well balanced diet, losing excess weight and not drinking too much or smoking.

Yeast Infection

A vaginal yeast infection is an irritation of the vagina and the area around the vulva. Yeast infections are caused by an overgrowth of yeast fungus called Candida albicans. Tiny amounts of yeast are in the vagina to begin with, but when too much yeast grows in the vagina, this is how the fungal infection occurs.

Yeast infections are extremely common in women. 75 percent of women have this fungal infection during their lifetime.

Symptoms of yeast infection

The most common signs of a yeast infection are extreme itchiness of the vagina.

Other symptoms include:

• Burning, redness, and swelling of the vagina and the vulva
• Pain when passing urine
• Pain during sex
• Soreness
• A thick white discharge that does not have a bad smell
• A rash on the vagina

Only some of these symptoms may occur and may be mild or severe.

If you suspect you have a vaginal yeast infection, you need to see your doctor to check out if you have a yeast infection and to get treatment to cure the infection. The signs of a yeast infection are much like those of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) like Chlamydia and gonorrhoea. So get checked.

Yeast infections are very common. About 75 percent of women have one during their lives. And almost half of women have two or more vaginal yeast infections.

How is vaginal yeast infection diagnosed?

Your doctor will do a pelvic exam to look for swelling and discharge. Your doctor may also use a swab to take a fluid sample from your vagina. A lab test will show if yeast is causing the problem and a doctor can then prescribe the best treatment for you.

Many things can raise your chances of a vaginal yeast infection, such as:

• stress
• illness
• poor eating habits, including eating extreme amounts of sugary foods
• pregnancy
• taking certain medicines, including birth control pills, antibiotics, and steroids
• diseases such as poorly controlled diabetes and HIV/AIDS
• hormonal changes during your periods

Can I get a yeast infection from having sex?

Yes, but it is rare. Most often, women don’t get yeast infections from sex. The most common cause is a weak immune system.

How is yeast infection treated?

Vaginal Yeast infections can be cured with antifungal medicines that come as:

• creams
• tablets
• ointments or suppositories that are inserted into the vagina

These products can be bought over the counter at the drug store or grocery store. But can be very expensive.

Are over-the-counter medicines safe to use for yeast infections?

Yes, but always see a doctor for advice before treating yourself for a vaginal yeast infection if you:

• are pregnant
• have never been diagnosed with a yeast infection
• keep getting yeast infections

Using these medicines the wrong way may lead to a hard-to-treat infection. Plus, treating yourself for a yeast infection when you really have something else may worsen the problem. Certain STIs that go untreated can cause cancer, infertility, pregnancy problems, and other health problems. So be sure what you have before you treat the problem.

If you choose to use these over-the-counter medicines, always read the directions carefully. Some creams and inserts may weaken condoms and diaphragms.

Does my sexual partner need to be treated if I have vaginal yeast infection?

Yeast infections are not STIs, but if your partner gets a rash or itchiness of his genital area, he should see a doctor.

How to avoid getting recurring yeast infections?

To help prevent vaginal yeast infections, you can:

• avoid douches
• avoid scented hygiene products like bubble bath, sprays, pads, and tampons
• change tampons and pads often during your period
• avoid tight underwear or clothes made of synthetic fibres
• wear cotton underwear and pantyhose with a cotton crotch
• change out of wet swimsuits and exercise clothes as soon as you can
• avoid hot tubs and very hot baths

Talk to your doctor if you are getting persistent recurring yeast infections.

Becoming A New Mum

Becoming a mum is an exciting but scary experience for first time mums, you will want answers to lot’s of questions from your midwife and health visitor and lots of support during the first few weeks. One of the first decisions you will have to make will be naming your new baby.

When your reality check sets in and the delivery of baby will be a distant memory. you will have lot’s of new stuff to learn about  You will also be getting used to  feeding and changing baby whether that is breastfeeding or formula. Getting used to the differing cries from your baby, from an uncomfortable cry because a nappy/diaper needs changing, to a cry where you know baby is unwell and not their usual selves. Your confidence will increase in time as you and baby get to know the ins and outs of each other.

Newborn baby’s will sleep through out the majority of their first few weeks and will eventually establish a sleeping routine with your help. The best way to get baby into a routine is to make sure baby knows when it is bedtime such as lights down low at night, not to much stimulation, and a relaxing bath before being put down in their cot.

The most important part of parenting is that a your baby or child feels lots of love, and secure and confident, but we all know that there’s times when we need a help to deal with the some of the more challenging times. There will be a whole heap of different issues that you will face over the years to come, (yes I said years). Becoming a parent is a life long commitment to your child and along the way you as parents will have lots of questions to ask on all kinds of parenting issues and concerns. Safety is often top of the agenda so make sure you are clued up with child safety within the home and outdoors, and car seat safety guidelines.

No matter how worried or concerned you are about anything to do with your child, always ask for advice from a doctor, midwife or, health visitor, they are there to help in any way possible. Never be afraid to ask for help from family and friends either, if you feel down or are having difficulties coping with your new baby see a Gp and get the help offered to you if you think you may have postnatal depression or baby blues.

Special Needs

Finding out your child has special needs, disability or illness can be a heartbreaking time for both parents and families concerned. First thing to do is to gather all the information possible about your child’s special needs, and find out about the problem and what it is likely to mean for your child and for you.

Ask as many questions as you need to, ask your GP, specialist, and health visitor, take any support given. Whatever stage in your child’s life you receive a diagnosis of special needs or disability, you’ll have difficulty coping with the diagnosis. You will have lots of hard decisions to make and it will take time to come to terms with your child’s illness.

There are lots of help at child development centres, which will help you and your child not just to cope, but it, will give you support also. There is specialist help for you and your child too, such as; physiotherapy, speech and language therapy, home learning schemes and special needs play groups which are adapted for all your child’s needs and you can then also get to meet other parents with children who have special needs.

If you are finding the news particularly difficult to deal with then seek help. There is always somebody who can help and guide you through the good and bad times. Always remember you are not alone and lots of parents have to deal with these problems also.

Disabled children and young people with special needs have the same needs as any other child.

If you and your partner have a child or (are having a child) who is seriously ill or disabled there are a whole range of additional pressures on your relationship. You and your partner may feel isolated, struggling to take on board the news of your child having an illness.

Things you should do:

• Make time together as a family
• Make time for each other as a couple
• Talk through any concerns you may have
• Stay strong
• Ask medical staff any questions you have

Single parents

• Accept all the help you can from family members and specialists
• Make time for yourself
• Ask medical staff any questions you have

Even though a child has special need disabilities does not mean they are any less intelligent than any other children, they may just take a little longer to learn certain subjects. Some special need children can go on to live great lives and be very successful in life,

Life may seem tough in the beginning with a special needs child, but with time and a stable routine, you and your child can get through the ups and the downs with strength and determination. Love and hope.

New Dads

There is very little information or help out there for new dads to feel involved in the whole pregnancy and birth process, it is normally all about mother and baby. And dads have just got to get on with things as much as they can and with little information given.

New mums aren’t the only ones who suffer with becoming a new parent. Being a new dad can be very stressful and scary also. While new mothers recovering from giving birth have family, friends and midwives on hand to reassure them that everything is going to be fine and mood changes are perfectly normal in pregnancy. Dads receive no reassurance to help them cope with the worries of becoming a father or doubts about themselves, whether they can be a good dad after childbirth and also how to deal with the excitement of first time fatherhood.

What new dads may feel during labour?

• Wanting to help the mother to be, but not being sure how
• Worrying about responsibility of a new baby
• Financial situation
• Feeling left out of the pregnancy
• Surprised at how unwell their partner may feel during labour, and not knowing what to do to help
• Worried how life will change once the newborn arrives

New dad’s concerns about labour and birth:

• Being at the birth, and not knowing if they will cope
• Missing the birth
• Worries for the health of mother and baby
• Having to watch their partner in pain

What men enjoy about becoming a new dad:

Knowing you can father a child (you are not firing blanks!). Watching how fast your partner’s body grows throughout the pregnancy. The excitement of seeing the life you helped to create on a scan, telling everyone that you’re going to be a new daddy.

Positive feelings about the birth include:

The relief that baby is due to arrive at last; seeing the baby and knowing he or she is okay; telling everyone about the baby, and finally, becoming a family.

Will I be a good dad?

For the first few years, a lot of the parenting involves skills taught in childbirth classes and through practice. No child comes with instructions, so for both new mums and dads it is a learning process. Becoming a new dad is like other new roles that may occur in your life. If you get married, you don’t know how to be a good husband from the start. You learnt the way with your new wife.

It may help to talk to friends and family, spend time with other fathers and discuss issues that are worrying you.

How will becoming a new dad affect our relationship and sex life?

Pregnant women experience great physical, emotional and hormonal changes, while also dealing with the same changes as the dads-to-be. As the pregnancy progresses, it may affect both of you emotionally.

If you’re not feeling stable or good about your relationship, try to work through the issues as soon as possible. Many couples mistakenly think that a baby will bring them together. But a baby can’t fix a troubled relationship; it will only make it worse, and add lot’s more stress. And the sooner you find a way to work through any problems together, the sooner you’ll feel more at ease with becoming a new parent.

You can enjoy sex during pregnancy as long as there are no complications, or aches and pains, or complications of miscarriage or premature labour. Discuss with your doctor, nurse-midwife, or other health care provider about any risks. As with any other problem related to pregnancy or your relationship, it is important for you as a new dad to be and mum to be to speak openly about what feels right for each of you.

Endometriosis

Endometriosis is usually found in women aged between 25 and 49.  It is usually very rare in women under 20. This condition is most common on the ovaries, fallopian tubes and the tissues that hold your womb in place. You can also get endometriosis on or around other organs in your pelvis and abdomen (Belly), such as your bladder or bowel. Rarely, endometriosis can occur around your lungs or heart also.

Endometriosis can cause cysts (endometrioma) to form on the ovaries. These cysts may not cause you any pain. You may only find out about having cysts during an internal examination. In some women, endometriosis can get better without treatment, but for the majority, it gets worse without treatment from a doctor.

Symptoms

The symptoms of endometriosis can vary depending upon the person. Some women have no symptoms at all, others have severe pain. The most common symptom is pelvic pain that feels like period cramps.

Other symptoms include those listed below.

Chronic pelvic pain that lasts a long time,

Pain during sex.

Changes to your periods, such as;small amounts of blood loss before the period is due (spotting),

Irregular bleeding or heavy periods.

Painful bowel movements.

Extreme fatigue.

Endometriosis on the bowel may cause swelling of your lower abdomen, pain when you have a bowel movement or blood in your faeces during a period.

Endometriosis on the bladder can cause pain when you urinate or blood in your urine during a period.

Endometriosis generally disappears after the menopause sets in.

Complications

Complications of endometriosis include those listed below.

The bleeding can form scar tissue (adhesions) that can attach to the organs in your pelvis and abdomen.

Reduced fertility that may have no obvious cause or may be caused by adhesions forming on or near to your ovaries or fallopian tubes.

An increased risk of miscarriage or giving birth prematurely.

Cysts can bleed or rupture, causing extreme pain.

Endometriosis of the intestine can cause your bowel to become blocked up or twisted.

An increased risk of certain types of cancer, particularly ovarian cancer.

Causes

There are no specific reasons on what causes endometriosis. Endometriosis can affect any woman of childbearing age.

You’re more likely to develop endometriosis if you:

Have a close female relative who has endometriosis such as; mother or sister.

Have fertility problems.

Start your period at an early age.

Begin menopause at a late age.

Have frequent or heavy painful periods.

Diagnosis

Your GP will ask you about any symptoms you may have, and examine you. He/she may also ask about your medical history. Your doctor may wish to perform an internal vaginal examination. If he/she thinks you may have endometriosis, he/she will refer you to a gynaecologist (a doctor specialising in women’s reproductive health).

The only way to be sure that you have endometriosis is to have a laparoscopy. A laparoscopy allows your surgeon to look inside your abdomen. The procedure involves passing a narrow, flexible, tube with a camera (a laparoscope) into your abdomen through a small cut. Your surgeon will examine the organs in your pelvis by looking at pictures on a monitor.

The procedure takes about 30 minutes and is usually done under general anaesthetic. Typically you must not eat or drink for about six hours before a general anaesthetic.

Treatment

There is currently no cure for endometriosis, but treatments are available for managing the symptoms.

relieve pain and heavy bleeding.

shrink or slow down the growth of the endometrial tissue on other organs.

improve your fertility.

Medicines used to treat endometriosis do not improve fertility, but surgery can help if the endometriosis is interfering with your womb and ovaries. Some women with endometriosis who want to have children may need fertility treatment.

The type of treatment you have will depend on your age, and the severity of your symptoms and whether or not you want to have a child.

Vaginal Infections

Certain bacteria live inside the vagina, which is healthy bacteria that is supposed to be there, to help assist in keeping the vaginal area clean and healthy. This healthy bacteria helps to ward off other nasty bacteria’s, as well as viruses and fungus that causes many vaginal infections. Anything that lowers the acidity of the vagina can cause itchy horrible infections.

It’s normal for women of childbearing age to have a vaginal discharge. The amount and colour of the discharge can change during your menstrual cycle, sexual excitement and pregnancy.

Symptoms of a vaginal infection include:

• unusual vaginal discharge which may be unusual in colour and smell unpleasant
• irritation and soreness of the vulva (the skin around the outside of the vagina)
• vaginal itching   
• pain during sex   
• bleeding after sex   
• abdominal pains   
• redness, swelling, lumps, blisters, or ulceration of the vulva or anus pain when passing urine   

It’s important that you see your GP if you have any of these symptoms.

Causes of vaginal infections

Certain types of bacteria live inside the vagina naturally. Many situations such as hormonal changes, stress, or using scented soap to clean the genital area can unbalance the levels of acid in the vagina. This can cause healthy bacteria living naturally inside the vagina to grow faster than usual, and cause a vaginal infection.

A forgotten tampon, can also encourage bacteria to grow and cause an infection. Rarely, it can also produce a life-threatening complication known as ‘toxic shock syndrome’.

Vaginal infections can also be caused through unprotected sexual intercourse or skin-to-skin contact. Which are known as sexually transmitted infections (STI’s).

Diagnosis of common vaginal infections: 

If you have any symptoms, visit your GP, your local GUM (genito-urinary medicine) or sexual health clinic. Your GP may refer you to a sexual health clinic for specialist treatment.

Always’ s get tested by a swab and urine test, to diagnose any vaginal infection. By a professional Gp or nurse.

Common vaginal infections are:

• Thrush
• Bacterial vaginosis
• Trichomoniasis
• Chlamydia
• Gonorrhoea
• Genital herpes
• Genital warts

All the common vaginal infections above, all have some kind of difference within  the symptoms. So always get advice from you’re practitioner. Get tested for all infections, including STI’s and be on the safe side. Because as the saying goes, it’s better to be safe than sorry.

Pregnancy Stages

The pregnancy stages that you will go through in the nine months of pregnancy,   

Pregnancy usually lasts for 40 weeks from the first day of your last period, The 40 weeks are divided into stages called trimesters.  

You in the first trimester is week 1 to week 12 

Your first trimester is when all your hormones begin to affect your entire body and from then on you can begin to have pregnancy symptoms, the first will more than likely be that your period stops, then you may begin to feel more tired and have tender breasts. Then we have morning sickness another common pregnancy symptom which is not restricted to that particular time of the day vomiting can happen at any time. Also a pregnant woman might have the frequent need to go to the toilet to wee more often than she would do normally. 

Then we have the classic pregnancy symptom “cravings.” Pregnancy can bring many changes connected to the body, and also to the taste buds too. You could find yourself eating foods you wouldn’t normally eat. 

These are just some of the changes that may happen in your first trimester; the changes may feel uncomfortable for a while but will soon ease off.     

 Baby in the first trimester    

Baby will grow very quickly and will already have lots of the organs your baby needs to survive, including the heart and nervous system which will be there from around nine weeks pregnant, your baby is no longer referred to as an embryo, and is now a fetus. From about ten weeks the nutrients are passed to your baby through the placenta.   

You in the second trimester is week 13 to week 28    

This pregnancy stage will feel much easier to cope with as your body is settling in nicely with the hormones and getting used to the changes, the sickness and tiredness begin to ease off slowly but surely. Towards the end of this stage of pregnancy you may begin to feel some back ache, or as some pregnant women will describe being more of back pain. Other: Darkening of the nipples and there maybe a few stretch marks in sight also.  

There will be lots of other changes happening to your body at this point though, because your abdomen will be growing bigger and you may have what is called a pregnancy mask which is browning of the cheeks and other areas, and you could have swelling in your ankles, at the end of this trimester you will also be able to feel your new baby kick.    

Baby in the second trimester    

Baby is swallowing amniotic fluid and then gets rid of this through their gut. At this stage of pregnancy the baby’s organs are maturing more each day. Their sex organs will develop also, their kidneys start to work and baby can now pass a small amount of urine and also hear noises and sounds made, while still in the womb.    

You in the third trimester is week 29 to week 40  

In this final trimester with baby growing bigger, your body adjusting and getting ready for birth you will feel short of breath, some heartburn. Also some women get piles or feel constipated, your breast will be getting ready for breast feeding, and also growing and feel very tender and sore and may leak slightly which looks like watery milk. You will probably be having difficulty in sleeping and not being able to get in a comfortable position. Your baby will be trying to position themselves into place so they will be head down. You could also get Braxton hicks at this stage which are false contractions but don’t mistake them for the real contractions.    

Baby in the third trimester    

Baby will now have fine hair and finger nails and they can now open and close their eyes to blink, the unborn infant also at this time can make breathing motions even though he/she cannot breathe until birth. Baby’s teeth can also start growing under their gum, but it has been known of some baby’s to be born with teeth already set in place.   

End of your pregnancy    

As your due date comes closer your cervix gets ready for birth and begins to thin and soften, this time is an anxious time for both parents it is a waiting game and baby will come out when ready.

Body After Birth

You’re Body After Birth – Having a baby changes you’re body after birth, you may not like what changes, or you may just be ecstatic that you have become a mother if it’s your first child. If you like the way you are then you haven’t got a problem, but lots of mothers don’t like the change birth does to their body.

After giving birth some parts of the body may never be quite the same again.

You will have stretch marks in places you never knew existed obviously they will fade in time but will never go away, the saggy tummy from the excess stretched skin from carrying baby, you can in time tighten your stomach area up with exercise and eating the right food’s. You can lose the weight combined with the exercise, But don’t expect this to happen quickly It takes nine months to have a baby at least give yourself long enough for yourself and body to recover.

Treat yourself from time to time to cheer yourself up it can’t do any damage, Go for a pamper day or a manicure or the hair dressers they are just a few ideas to cheer yourself up.

There may be some physical problems with you’re body after birth such as:

• back pain, 
• a weak bladder 
• painful intercourse 
• infection from having stitches  

 

To help these problems after giving birth, you could do pelvic floor exercises these help to tighten the muscles of the vagina the back passage and help you control a weak bladder.

To do pelvic floor exercises to help, try sitting or standing, you can do them anywhere:

•  Squeeze and draw your back passage in at the same time
•  Hold this for five seconds then let go
•  Do this in sets of five as a many times a day as you can ten times a day if possible.

To help firm up your stomach area, lie on the floor:

• Lie on the floor with knees up high, but so your feet are flat on the floor. 

• Put your stomach in and slowly lift your head and shoulders, reach for your knees with the hands and then lower back down slowly. 

• Begin by doing a few and gradually increase if you need too. 

To ease any back problems after giving birth:

• When feeding baby always try to sit with your back supported and straight. 

• When you have jobs to do which are in low cupboards or bathing baby make sure you kneel or squat, avoid bending your back, make the knees do the work. 

• Also try to keep a straight back when pushing baby in the pram or carrying in a baby sling. 

• To lift a carrycot or another child, always bend your knees, keep your back straight and hold the weight close to you. 

If you feel concerned about you’re body after birth then always see your midwife or health visitor as they will be in contact with you for a number of weeks after you bring baby home.

Want To Get Pregnant

Want To Get Pregnant – Women who want to get pregnant often are disheartened by the pee stick that states those dreaded words “NOT PREGNANT” or display the negative symbol. Of course the wannabe please let me have a baby woman will feel like it’s the end of the world after maybe trying for years to get pregnant, but pregnancy doesn’t always happen overnight.

There are lots of things to try to help boost your fertility to conceive:

• Women trying to have a baby don’t realize the importance of eating a healthy balanced diet which will up the odds for them   falling pregnant. The human body needs lots of vitamins and minerals found in foods to give the chemicals your body needs.

• Also from deciding you want to try for a baby you should start to take folic acid tablets which prevents baby once pregnant from developing spina bifida and neural tube defects. You can find out more about folic acid tablets and their purpose by going online or talking to your doctor.

• It’s vital you stop smoking or using other types of tobacco products other than cigarettes as this is a poison going into your body and can reduce both partners level of fertility.

• Get fit; it makes sense to have good health so that when you do fall pregnant you will deliver a healthy baby. If you’re body is in good shape and in a healthy condition then conception has more chance of happening. A healthy body also helps clear away any stress you may feel and you will look great to which is a bonus.

• If you have a problem with drink, then talk to your GP about this. Avoid alcohol if possible; too much consumption can cause miscarriage. It also affects fertility and prevents vitamins and minerals from working.

• Also your other half should consider wearing loose cotton underwear and avoid hot baths to improve his sperm count.

• Draw up a chart, or keep a diary to see where you’re at with your cycle so you know when you’re ovulating, it is at this time when sexual intercourse should be practiced, there are ovulation kits you could use too.

• Avoid getting stressed. If you find yourself in stressful situations then get out of them. Don’t see getting pregnant and having sex with your partner as a chore still have fun with it and it will happen eventually.

Ovulation happens each month; an egg is released from one of your ovaries. Sometimes more than one egg is released. Usually within 24 hours of the first egg being released, the lining of the womb is beginning to thicken and the mucus in the cervix becomes thinner so sperm can swim through easily.

The egg begins to travel slowly down the fallopian tube. If you and your partner have had sex recently, the egg may be fertilized here by the man’s sperm. The lining of the womb is now thick enough for the egg to take its place after it’s been fertilized.

If the egg is not fertilized, out of the body it goes during the woman’s monthly period, along with the lining of the womb.

If you have sex during the seven days before you ovulate. This is usually about 12 days after the first day of your last period you’re most likely to get pregnant during this time.

An egg lives for about 12–24 hours after it’s released It’s hard to know exactly when ovulation happens, but in most women ovulation usually happens 10-16 days before the start of the next period. The menstrual cycle is from the first day of your period. Sometime after the period you will ovulate, and then 10-16 days after this.

Always check with your GP if you have been trying to conceive for 12 months or more and not yet succeeded. What you must never do like some women, is blaming their partner or themselves for no swelling belly. This will stress you out even more. Take each day at a time and you know what they say it comes to those who wait. Good luck when you’re pregnancy has been determined.