Sometimes, the thought of being pregnant may cross your mind but the other times also, you could be making assumptions that are not true. The only way you can be sure of whether or not you are pregnant is by taking a pregnancy test. But then also you could experience changes to your body. Every girl is different and so are the symptoms each one is most likely to face if at all they are pregnant. Therefore you might be pregnant if;
- You experience Spotting and Cramping– Usually, a few days after the egg has been fertilized by the sperm (conception). It attaches itself to the uterus which may cause slight or even heavy bleeding (spotting) and pain in the stomach muscles (cramping).
- Breast changes— This is induced by hormones and happens two weeks after conception. A woman’s breasts become a little bigger and heavier than their normal size, may become tingly, sore and even tender to touch. The nipples tend to darken as well.
- Fatigue — This is also a common characteristic among pregnant women because usually the sugar level and blood pressure in their bodies is low. That is why they are usually advised to get plenty of rest.
- Morning sickness– we have seen women run for the toilet in the morning to vomit like their life depends on it. Feeling nauseated can happen any time of the day and is a common sign you could be pregnant though it does not happen to everyone.
- Craving—you could be pregnant if you crave foods beyond your capacity to eat all of them or even foods you initially hated
- Missed period— This is the most obvious sign you might be pregnant. However it is important to note that a missed or delayed period is not a pregnancy. However a woman may miss her period if she stops taking her birth control pills as well.
- Frequent urination—this happens 6 weeks after conception and is caused by hormonal changes. However care should be taken as it could be a sign urinary tract infection
- Mood swings– these are caused by constant exhaustion, headaches and dizziness.
It is important that these symptoms could happen to someone even when they are not pregnant. To be sure about your status, visit a health centre and take a pregnancy test.
Dealing with pregnancy
First things first; keep calm. Getting pregnant is not the end of life.
Tell your partner/parents about it
It is important to make a rational decision if you find out that you are pregnant. It is equally important that whatever decision you make about your baby, your partner should be put in the loop of it.
Accessing the health centre on the other hand will equip you with knowledge on how to live healthy all through your trimesters.
How does one get pregnant
The girls have all reasons to forego contraceptives as the boys come up with multiple reasons as to why they wouldn’t want to use condoms.http://sautiplus.org/5-weird-excuses-guys-use-to-avoid-condoms/ But a few seconds a boy ejaculates into a girl after they have had sex, the sperm will fertilize the egg which will form a zygote (conception).
The mature egg is fertilized when it is joined with a sperm cell. This usually happens after a penis has ejaculated semen in a vagina. Sperm is contained in the semen which travels up the vagina, through the cervix and uterus into the fallopian tubes. If an egg is less than 24 hours old, it can be fertilized by an egg.
Sometimes sperm stays alive in the ovaries for 3 to 7 days. So when you have sex, even before ovulation, it doesn’t happen within 5 seconds but you do get pregnant anyway. Simply put, that is how a person gets pregnant.
Preventing pregnancy
Having protected sex or using birth control consistently and correctly is the best way a sexually active couple/woman can avoid pregnancy. This is for those who are 18 years and above.
Which contraceptive should I use
There are many birth control methods that are safe and effective. The cheapest and most common being the condom. Choosing a contraceptive to use requires that you first discuss with your partner and then eventually visit a health centre that offers family planning services to know more about what contraceptives will suit your needs and capabilities.
Miscarriage and associated issues
A miscarriage is natural termination or loss of a foetus from the womb of a mother. Usually this baby has not fully developed therefore will not survive.
When pregnant, the doctors usually emphasize that you regularly visit the health centre for antenatal care because sometimes miscarriages are caused by chromosomal abnormalities or gene mutations. Equally pregnant women are asked to maintain a healthy diet because reckless living or extreme stress can be factors that cause a mother to lose their unborn child.
When a woman gives birth before term, it is called a premature birth whereas a stillbirth is when she gives birth to a dead baby.
