Pregnancy

Deciding to Have a Child

When a couple begins to consider having a child, several events may follow in succession.

1. The couple decides that they want to have a baby. If the woman does not become pregnant after a period of time, the couple may become frustrated.
2. The couple may seek counsel from a physician, who can help them understand whether or not they might benefit from fertility treatment.

What is "normal" fertility?

A woman who is part of a "normal" couple (one where neither partner has fertility problems) has about a 25% chance of becoming pregnant each month when contraceptive measures are not used. There are only four days each month when the woman in most likely to become pregnant - the days immediately preceding and following ovulation, in the middle of the woman's menstrual cycle.

The process of pregnancy

1. About midway through a woman's menstrual cycle, her pituitary gland releases a surge of the hormone LH.Ovulation occurs when the LH causes a follicle in one of the ovaries to release an egg.Because sperm can live inside the female body for up to three days, intercourse immediately before ovulation, on the day of ovulation, and in the few days following is the most likely to result in fertilization of the egg.
2. Other factors are also important in determining whether a woman becomes pregnant:

• The man must produce a sufficient number of healthy, active sperm.
• The woman's reproductive tract must be able to move the sperm into the fallopian tubes.
• The embryo must be able to be implanted in the womb and nourished as it grows into a fetus.

Signs of pregnancy

The following is a list of some of the most common signs of pregnancy. Note that some of these may also be signals of other conditions.

• Delay or absence of menstruation
• Nausea and vomiting ("morning sickness")
• Frequent urination
• Swollen or sore breasts, darkening of areolas (nipples)
• Fatigue
• Backache or headache
• Food cravings

In addition to the above signs, a physician will be able to conduct a test to check for a fetal heartbeat. Only the presence of a fetal heartbeat is a definitive sign of pregnancy. The best method for determining whether or not a woman is pregnant is for her to schedule an appointment with a physician, who can perform accurate tests.