Pregnancy occurs when a male and female have sexual intercourse and the male ejaculates semen from his penis into the females vagina. Semen is the white, sticky fluid that contains sperm, which can fertilize a female's egg.
Next, the sperm travels through the female's vagina, passes through her cervix and uterus and then into her fallopian tubes where an egg may sit after being released from the ovaries.
If the female has recently ovulated, then sperm fertilizes the egg and causes a pregnancy. The fertilized egg travels down the fallopian tube and plants itself in the uterus. Once this has happened, pregnancy has taken root.
If the egg and sperm fail to unite, then the egg dies. Without a pregnancy in place, the lining of the uterus, which is composed of blood cells, sheds. This process of shedding is called menstruation.
Note: Anal sex and oral sex cannot result in pregnancy. However, these interactions can result in the spread of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).
If semen entered your vagina within the last five days, emergency contraception is still an option (more information on emergency contraception also called Plan B). Note that Plan B works by preventing pregnancy by stopping the release of an egg (ovulation), preventing the union of sperm and egg (fertilization), or preventing a fertilized egg from attaching to the womb (implantation). For more information from the FDA, click here.
Every pregnancy is different. Some women experience all of these signs while others may not experience any signs. Any of these signs could occur as early as the first two weeks of pregnancy.
Be mindful that many of the signs mimic the feelings you get prior to your period.
The only way to determine pregnancy is to take a pregnancy test.
If you take a home pregnancy test...
If you go to a clinic...
Changes in your body:
Things to avoid if you are pregnant:
Things to do if you are pregnant:
Questions to ask yourself when you find out you are pregnant:
Find a time and place where you can talk with your parents privately. Start by saying that you have something important and difficult to tell them. You might mention that it has taken a lot of courage for you to be honest. Tell them - "I'm pregnant" or "______ is pregnant and I believe I'm the father."
Your parents will probably feel shocked disappointed, sad and angry. They may want some time to get over the initial shock of the information.
Keep in mind...
Bringing a friend or other trusted adult along may be helpful. Your parents want you to live healthy and safe lives. They really want the best for their children.