Pregnancy starts when a fertilized egg gets implanted in the uterus. Pregnancy can  happen in different ways. Knowing how it happens can help you get pregnant as well as avoid pregnancy. Whether you are trying to avoid pregnancy or trying to get pregnant, it helps to know when pregnancy is likely to occur and the different ways in which it can occur.

When does pregnancy begin ?

 
For pregnancy to occur, a woman must release eggs from her ovaries ( ovulation ). The egg must meet a sperm to form a single zygote in a process known as fertilization.  When this fertilized egg gets implanted into the uterus ( implantation ), then pregnancy has begun.

Menstruation : A woman has her period during the first 2 weeks of her menstrual cycle.  Your period usually lasts 3 to 7 days after which  hormones makes eggs mature in the  ovaries. The  lining of the uterus then thickens.

Ovulation : Ovulation occurs about 2 weeks before a woman’s next period.  This is when the egg enters the fallopian tube and starts moving towards the uterus.

Fertilization : After vaginal intercourse or alternative insemination, hundreds of sperms travel thought the uterus into the fallopian tubes. If an egg is found in one of the tubes, one sperm may fertilize it.  The millions of other sperms may be absorbed by the woman’s body or seep through the vagina.

The meeting or joining of the egg and sperm is what is known as fertilization. This usually occurs  from intercourse that happens during the 5 days before the egg is released or on the  ovulation.

Implantation : The fertilized eggs moves down the fallopian tube dividing into more cells and forming a ball. The ball  reaches the  uterus 3 to 4  days after fertilization.  It then floats in the uterus another 2 to 3 days.

Pregnancy starts if this ball attaches to the lining of the uterus (implantation ). Implantation starts about 6 days after fertilization and takes about  3 to 4 days to complete. The embryo forms from cells from the inside of the ball and the placenta forms from cells on the outside.

About half of fertilized eggs don’t get implanted. They just pass out of the woman’s body through menstruation.

Multiples :  The developing ball of cells may split up into  2 for example to form identical twins. It is also possible that 2 eggs may be released during ovulation  This can result in fraternal twins if both eggs get fertilized and implanted into the uterus.

How do women get pregnant ?

 
Women can get pregnant through the following ways :

• unprotected vaginal intercourse
• sex play in which semen or ejaculate comes into contact with vulva. The sperm can travel though the moisture on the vulva into the vagina. This is less likely  to occur but possible
• alternative insemination in which sperms are inserted into a woman’s vagina or uterus using a syringe or other device
• other fertility treatments such as in vitro insemination

When is a woman most likely to get pregnant ?

 
Fertility depends on the life span of a woman’s egg and the sperms. Eggs live for about a day after ovulation. Sperms can live inside a woman’s body for about 6 days. Fertilization is likely to occur when intercourse happens five days before ovulation or on the day of ovulation.  It also possible that it can happen a day or two after ovulation. However this is less likely.

How to avoid pregnancy ?

 
Using birth control consistently and correctly is the best way for  sexually active women to avoid pregnancy. There are many safe and effective birth controls  available.

How can i plan pregnancy ?

 
You can plan pregnancy when you know your fertile days.  It is important to know when you ovulate so that you can track the fertile days leading to ovulation. You can track your fertile days using cervical mucus, temperature, using beads to keep track  your cycle and using a combination of these methods.