Do you want to get pregnant or do you think you are pregnant? When a woman’s eggs are fertilized by the man’s sperm, you become pregnant. Only when the fertilized egg divides into several cells does it begin to become a fetus. What pregnancy signs or symptoms should you look for to find out if you are pregnant?
To become pregnant, the sperm must drill into the egg, which occurs either when a man or woman has intercourse or artificially. During their fertile years, women ovulate once a month and it is exactly the days before this that you should have intercourse if you are going to get pregnant.
Knowing exactly when ovulation takes place is difficult, but it is usually calculated that it occurs ten days after the first day of menstruation. Another way to calculate is that ovulation occurs one week after the end of the period. This means that you should have sex about every other day from menstruation and a little over a week onwards.
The fertilization
The egg can live in the fallopian tube for up to 48 hours, but it can only be fertilized for a few hours. The man’s sperm swim up into the cervix, through the uterus, and out into the fallopian tube where the egg lies.
Normally, the fertilization of the egg takes place approximately in the middle of the fallopian tube. Sperm can live up to five days, which means the woman can become pregnant even if you have intercourse several days before ovulation.
About 500 million sperm come out into the vagina during a male ejaculation, but when one of these penetrates the egg’s shell, it becomes impenetrable for everyone else. The sperm fused with the egg’s nucleus, which then divides into several cells repeatedly to reach the uterus at the same time.
Did you know that there is research that shows that you can influence whether the child should become a boy or a girl?
How do you know you are pregnant?
The easiest way to find out if you are pregnant is to buy a pregnancy test at the pharmacy. Alternatively, you can submit a urine sample at the doctor’s office or the youth clinic. It is best to do the test in the morning when the urine is most concentrated. The tests today are very reliable and easy to read.
Signs and symptoms of pregnancy
There are many signs and symptoms of being pregnant. The most associated sign is that menstruation is not coming as it should. However, some may have menstrual-like bleeding even though they are pregnant. Other things that can be a sign of pregnancy are:
- Nausea and/or fatigue
- Mood swings, the woman gets easily irritated
- The breasts are sore, swollen, burning, and may become a little lumpy
- The nipples grow and stiffen and they can pull and sting a little in them
- Sensitivity to odors may increase
- Gassy and swollen in the stomach
You may have one or more of these symptoms or none of them. If there is a risk that you are pregnant, you should do a pregnancy test to be on the safe side.
The father’s emotions
Becoming a father is a transformative situation, especially if it is the first child. Try talking to other expectant fathers in the same situation. The midwife can help, among other things, with parent groups where you can meet other expectant fathers. the maternity clinic is also a good opportunity for meeting expectant fathers.
Try to get to know people in the dining room or in the meeting room. Many are in the same seat and think it is fun to get to know another new dad. Ask if they have many friends with children. Why not suggest a dinner a few weeks later? It is a slightly different life that awaits when you now have a little one to consider.
The woman gets very emotional during this period, due to all the hormonal changes. Unfortunately, this means that you get the occasional scolding. She will surely also be disappointed in you or take offense to any seemingly innocent comment. If you know this, it will surely be easier.
Make sure she also knows this and feel free to talk about how you should handle the situation if it arises. Have a certain tolerance for this, but at the same time, it is important that the woman is aware of her mood swings and does not let this affect her too much. It is easy for the father’s feelings to be forgotten in this new situation.
Also read: How to increase the chance of getting pregnant with twins.
Diet in order to get pregnant
If you are planning to get pregnant, it is important to think about what you eat. Iron and folic acid are examples of nutrients that the body needs even before you are pregnant. Iron is needed mainly during pregnancy, but since it is an important mineral, it is extra important that you start the pregnancy with good iron values. You get iron through your diet when you eat meat, lentils, peas, and legumes.
Folic acid is a B vitamin that is important at the beginning of pregnancy and it is common to take a supplement until the twelfth week of pregnancy. Folic acid is found in vegetables, beans, chickpeas, lentils, fruits, and berries. The substance reduces the risk of spina bifida in the fetus.
Those who read the section on how to get pregnant and the signs and symptoms of pregnancy also read more specific information about pregnancy, or about fetal development week by week.