Please enjoy this exclusive preview of our Pregnancy PediaGuide! This is the first article in the guide. There are a total of 42 articles to guide you through each week of your pregnancy.
Welcome to Weeks 1 & 2 of Pregnancy!
In This Week’s PediaGuide, We’ll Discuss:
- What Your Developing Baby is Up To (in “Baby Talk”).
The Answer: A whole lotta nothing because the egg hasn’t even fertilized the sperm.
- What’s Happening With YOUR Body (in “Body Talk”).
Hint: Not Much.
- The Hot Topics for the Week, Including:
Get Wise About It All Below…
The Freebie Weeks: You may have just had sex and are now watching the clock. Oddly enough, the pregnancy countdown has already begun, even though the egg and the sperm haven’t rendez-voused yet.
What Gives? You basically get two free weeks of pregnancy because the due date calculation includes the two weeks before your period. It’s like putting your name on the SAT and automatically getting 200 points (although after some digging, I’m not sure that’s really a thing).
For those of you who are going the IVF route, Get Wise about it here.
Baby Size: The size of a twinkle in your eye (no baby yet!).
What’s Happening Now? At this moment, millions of tiny sperm are making a beeline for your recently released egg, trying to be the first to reach it.
If the egg gets fertilized, it will start producing hormones that lead to pregnancy symptoms. You will develop these symptoms right around the time of your expected period.
If the egg does not get fertilized, it will simply pass out of your body with your next period and you’ll experience the usual PMS symptoms.
Twin Talk
- If the fertilized egg splits in two, you’ll have identical twins.
- If 2 separate sperm fertilize 2 separate eggs, you’ll have fraternal twins.
Insider Info: Fraternal twins aren’t very common because women typically release only 1 egg each time they ovulate.
Get Wise about the Different Types of Twins (and Triplets).
PediaTrivia
You’re more likely to have twins if you’re over 35.
Why? Because, at this age, you have a greater chance of releasing more than one egg during ovulation.
As a Reminder, the Hot Topics for This Week Are:
Get Wise(r) About These Topics Below…
What are My Chances of Getting Pregnant This Cycle?
How likely you are to conceive each month depends on your age and overall health. As you may have already guessed, your chances of getting pregnant each cycle decrease as you get older. Thanks, Mother Nature!
Here are the Stats:
- Women under 25 have a 25% chance of conceiving each cycle (assuming there aren’t any underlying fertility issues).
- Women ages 35 to 39 have a 15% chance of getting pregnant each cycle. 82% of these women get pregnant within a year.
- By age 40, women have a 5% chance of conceiving each cycle.1 Sounds dismal, I know, but with all of the medical advances out there, it’s still possible – it just might take a little longer.
What Should I Do If It Doesn’t Happen This Month?
If it doesn’t work out this cycle, don’t despair. On average, more than 50% of women get pregnant within 6 months and roughly 85% of women get pregnant within 1 year.2
PediaTips:
- Contact your doctor if you’re under 35 and nothing has happened for 1 year.
- If you’re 35 or older, reach out to your doctor after 6 months of crickets.
Why is 35 an Important Number in Pregnancy?
In the medical world, women who are 35 or older at the time of delivery are considered “advanced maternal age” (AMA).
What in the What?!
The purpose of this designation is not to piss women off, but to determine who needs a little extra attention during pregnancy (and during the preconception period).
There’s nothing magical about the number 35. It’s simply the age at which certain pregnancy risks become more pronounced. Get Wise about the risks associated with advanced maternal age and what to do about them.
The Bottom Line
Getting pregnant can happen in the blink of an eye or it can take a little while. As women age, their odds of conceiving decline. Have patience and seek help when needed (especially if you’re under 35 and you’ve been trying to get pregnant for 12 months OR you’re 35 and over and you’ve been at it for 6 months).
Q: Am I more likely to get pregnant if my husband wears boxers or briefs?
A: You’ll have an even better chance if he doesn’t wear anything at all.
And…That’s a Wrap.
