What Is Pregnancy?

Carrying of a growing embryo or fetus in the uterus by a female is called pregnancy. The period of gestation in mammals is approximately 38 to 40 weeks after conception, which is calculated from the last menstrual cycle. For convenience, pregnancy is divided into three periods called trimesters. Each trimester lasts for 3 months. Although pregnancy symptoms vary greatly depending on the individual, some conditions like morning sickness and food cravings are commonly experienced by most women.

Pregnancy Calendar

On-line pregnancy calendars are very useful for expecting mothers as they help them to track the changes in the growing embryo and also the changes occurring in their own body. With the click of a mouse, one can calculate the expected date of delivery, follow their baby’s development from conception to birth, receive tips on having a healthy pregnancy, find out how to cope with the changes brought about by pregnancy and lastly, also plan one’s life after the arrival of the newborn. The internet is full of resources that provide information as well as 3-dimensional illustrations of pregnancy stages on a daily or weekly basis. So, concepts that were hitherto known only to professionals are today easily accessible to all and sundry and the element of mystery in pregnancy has become a thing of the past.

Pregnancy Diary

Every woman who gets pregnant would like to compare her pregnancy to that of others, although every pregnancy may be unique in its own way. In traditional societies, mothers or elderly women in the family shared their knowledge and experiences with the mother-to-be and this gave her enough reassurance to last through the nine-month period without dwelling too much on what could possibly go wrong. Nuclear families and women’s participation in work outside home has taken away the family support system that existed in the pre-industrialized era. The on-line pregnancy diary is a nice way to compare notes with other expecting mothers and also give others the benefit of your experiences.

Planning Your Pregnancy

For a majority of women, conception happens fairly easily, but it doesn’t always happen when you actually want it or as quickly as you might think. The fact remains that despite perfect planning, there’s only one in five chances of getting pregnant each month. This makes it all the more important for you to increase your odds by discovering your ovulation cycle. Knowledge of one’s fertility cycle is extremely important in planning pregnancy. This could also help you if you are trying to avoid getting pregnant. The three basic fertility parameters are: BBT or basal body temperature; changes in cervical secretions; and cervical position. These fertility parameters change continuously during a woman’s cycle. Close observation and recording of these factors will help you find your fertility rhythm.

Menstrual Cycle And Pregnancy

Menstruation is a periodic change in which the egg and the inner lining of the uterus (called endometrium) are shed in case pregnancy does not occur. At the onset of menstruation, the levels of the reproductive hormones, estrogen and progesterone are low. Gradually their levels increase in preparation for a pregnancy. The uterine lining is reformed and around the 14th day of the menstrual cycle, estrogen level is at its highest. This in turn stimulates the release of egg from the ovary. Simultaneously progesterone levels also peak, resulting in the maturation of the uterine lining so that it can withstand and nourish the fertilized egg. If the fertilized egg fails to get implanted, progesterone levels drop and around 28 days, the onset of menstruation begins.