PREGNANCY - How it happens?, How to consider? and Pre-Pregnancy Health

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PREGNANCY - How it happens?, How to consider? and Pre-Pregnancy Health

How pregnancy happens?
Pregnancy starts when a fertilized egg implants in the uterus.
Getting pregnant can happen in different ways:
Understanding your fertility type can help with avoiding pregnancy as well as getting pregnant.
Knowing how pregnancy happens is important. If you are trying to become pregnant, it is important to know what time is most likely to get pregnant and the different ways it can happen.
Whether you are trying to avoid pregnancy, trying to get pregnant, or are just curious, you may have lots of questions. Here are some answers about how pregnancy happens.

For a woman to become pregnant, she must release an egg from her ovary which is called ovulation. Next, the egg and sperm must meet and form a single cell which is called fertilization. Then pregnancy begins if the fertilized egg attaches to a woman’s uterus and begins to grow which is called implantation.

MENSTRUATION
During the first two weeks of a woman’s menstrual cycle she has her period. This period usually lasts 3–7 days. After that, hormones make eggs mature in her ovaries, and the lining of her uterus thickens.

OVULATION
Ovulation happens about two weeks before a woman’s next period would take place or it would be 14th day of her first menstruation cycle. The egg enters a fallopian tube and starts moving toward the uterus.

FERTILIZATION
After vaginal intercourse or alternative insemination, several hundred sperm travel up through the uterus and into the fallopian tubes. An egg may be in one of the tubes. One sperm may fertilize the egg. The millions of other sperm seep out of the vagina or are absorbed by the woman’s body.

Considering pregnancy
Parenting is a lifelong commitment and the right time to have a child differs with everyone. Only you can decide when you are ready to get pregnant.
Are you really eager to get pregnant? If yes, you are more likely to know how to become pregnant first.  well, here are some tips to get pregnant and the best days for making a baby. 

Stop using contraceptives
For some women, conceiving can be so easy whether they are working on their first baby or their third. For others, fertilization becomes a night mare. Stop using contraceptives so that chances would be better. Hormonal contraceptives such as oral birth control hormone injections, nuva ring might have longer interval period while your body readjusts. If you are relying on barrier methods such as condoms, cervical caps, diaphragms or sponges, you don't need to be worried about readjustment period. It doesn't mean you will conceive immediately but these are the chances of getting pregnant.

Know your ovulation period
Do you know the secret behind getting pregnant faster? Simply know when you ovulate (releasing an egg from your ovary).  
One way is to chart your menstrual cycle. The average menstrual cycle is 28 days long, but many women have cycles that are shorter or longer, and some women have irregular cycles. If you have an irregular cycle, it can be hard to predict ovulation.
Fertilization usually occurs 14 days prior to the expected missed period and in a previously normal cycle of 28 days duration, it is about 14 days after the first day of the period.
For example, if your period usually lasts 28 days, you will likely to be fertile around day 14 of your cycle i.e 14 days after you begin menstruating. 
Your body temperature will slightly rise when you are ovulating and also a sign that you are ovulating.
Track your cervical mucus. When your vaginal discharge is clear and stretchable, like egg white, you are more likely fertile and should plan on having intercourse daily from the day you notices the change in your discharge. Once the discharge becomes cloudy and dry, you are less likely to conceive.

Get busy
Pregnancy rates are peak before ovulation. Egg once released is survived only for 12 to 24 hours after ovulation but sperms can live up to a week in the uterus. To make sure you don't miss your chance, start trying before you think you might ovulate. The most important thing to remember is to "enjoy yourself".  Don't make sperm work against gravity. Instead of getting up immediately after having sex, lie back and relax for few minutes. Studies show that lying flat after sex can increase your odds of conception up to 50%.

Pre-pregnancy health
Don't get discouraged very soon:
Many couples don't get pregnant right away. According to studies, out of 100 couples trying to conceive, only 15 to 20 are succeeded every month. However, 95% of them who are trying to conceive will get pregnant in less than two years. Every factor of your fertility can't be controlled but some changes can be made to increase your odds. If you are planning on a pregnancy, stay focused on your health and well being. Make sure you improve the odds of getting pregnant by following simple process in a right way.

Talk to health care provider: 
Many couples can benefit from talking to a health care provider about their plan to become pregnant. They can tell you about any tests that you might want or need, lifestyle changes, diet changes you have to make. These appointments are called pre-conception or pre-pregnancy visits. Your medical history is taken at the visits and also include some general check ups and over all physical exams like blood tests, urine tests, pap test or pelvic exam. 

Change of diet:
If you are over weight, try loosing weight. Women will have a hard time conceiving when obese. Get fit. If you are under weight, women may have difficulty in conceiving. Aim for a healthy weight. Good nutrition, exercises and healthy lifestyle changes are more important before and during pregnancy. Every women plans to have a healthy pregnancy possible and should do their best to keep themselves healthy and hygiene before and during pregnancy so that you would be more prepared to handle the changes that comes up in the process.
The diet during pregnancy should be adequate to provide

• the maintenance of maternal health
• the needs of the growing fetus
• strength and viability required during labour
• successful lactation (production of milk in the breasts)

 The pregnancy diet should ideally be light, nutritious, easily digestible and rich in protein, minerals ans vitamins. In addition to principle food, at least half litre, if not one litre of milk, plenty of green vegetables and fruits should be included.
Once you become pregnant, you have to eat about 100-300 calories per day. If you are a normal weight, you should gain 35 pounds by the end of the pregnancy.
It's a;ways a good idea to eat healthy foods before you get pregnant so that you stay as health as possible. Many of us know how to improve the diet but also know how much you should eat.Start by taking away unhealthy foods away from your diet and add more healthy foods. Add more fresh fruits and vegetables and put yourself in a right track towards balanced diet.

CARBOHYDRATES

• A little more than half of what we eat should be carbohydrates (carbs). Try to get most of your carbs from whole grains, like whole grain bread and brown rice. Avoid sugary foods and drinks like candy and soda.

PROTEINS

• Protein helps the fetus grow. Protein is found in meat and dairy products as well as tofu and beans. If you follow a vegetarian or vegan diet, you can still have a healthy pregnancy. But talk to your health care provider to make sure you are getting enough protein.

FATS

• Fats help us absorb vitamins. Most of us get enough fat in our diet. It is important during pregnancy to get fat from fish and vegetable sources.

FIBER

• You can get fiber through fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Have at least 3–5 servings per day. Many women experience constipation when they are pregnant. Eating fiber can help you avoid constipation.

Take pre-natal Vitamins:
One of the most important changes you should make in your diet is adding more foods that contain folic acid. Either you are getting pregnant or a pregnant, folic acid is must on the top of your health list. Folic acid, also called folate is one of the B vitamins, B9 is a vital raw material for red blood cells production. 

Taking folic acid before conception reduces risk of neural tube defects. Folic acid helps prevent birth defects in the brain and spinal cord if taken before pregnancy and early in pregnancy. This vitamin is found in green leafy vegetables, fortified cereals, beans and oranges. 
Taking a multivitamin will help women get enough folic acid and also other vitamins that are necessary before and during pregnancy. 
As we know "Too much of anything is good for nothing", beware of taking too much vitamins. for example, excess of vitamin A can cause birth defects. So make sure you take right amount of vitamins.

Changing lifestyle:
Most important changes you should make before and during pregnancy are to do exercise, stop smoking, quit using drugs and alcohol, reduce stress and make sure you are safe where ever you are either at home or at work.

Exercise regularly

• Exercises makes you feel better and gives more energy than needed. Practicing yoga or light exercises makes you stronger and better to handle delivery. Every women should enjoy doing either walking, swimming, yoga or moderate exercises while pregnant. Take advise from health care provider about what kind of exercises are right for you.

Stop smoking and drinking alcohol

• Before becoming pregnant, quit smoking because women who smoke take longer to get pregnant and have high rates of miscarriage. Smoking also expose the growing fetus to dangerous chemicals and more likely to have low birth weight babies and birth defects and health problems.
• Women who drink during pregnancy put their babies at risk for fetal Alcohol Syndrome which can cause serious harm in fetus development. 

Reduce Stress

• Relax yourself and get plenty of rest. Make sure you take time to do things you enjoy the most that relax you. Having sex can help reduce stress and tensions and can boost your mood.

Man's role in pre-pregnancy health:
When planning pregnancy, man's health is also important. There are some habits a man has to change to see not to affect and decrease his sperm count. Such habits would be:

• Drinking alcohol
• Smoking
• Using steroids
• Using drugs
• Using sauna, hot tubs or whirlpools over 102° F.
• Having unhealthy diet