How does a woman become pregnant?
A woman usually becomes pregnant after having sexual intercourse. This is where a man puts his erect penis inside a woman’s vagina. The friction caused by moving his penis in and out of her vagina will cause him to get increasingly excited until eventually he ejaculates (or ‘comes’) and releases a sticky white substance called semen. This semen contains millions of tiny sperm cells, which then swim up the woman’s vagina, into her uterus and into then fallopian tubes where they may join with the tiny egg that she releases every month. If this ‘joining’ (also known as fertilisation) occurs, then she will become pregnant.
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How can I prevent pregnancy?
If you don’t want to become pregnant, there are lots of different forms of contraception available. The most well known are the contraceptive pill and the condom.
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Is there a “safe time” to have sexual intercourse?
There is no safe time to have unprotected sex if you wish to avoid getting pregnant. Even unprotected sex during a girl’s period can result in pregnancy. Although women are generally only fertile for a few days every month, sperm can survive inside the body for several days, meaning a woman can potentially become pregnant over quite a long period of time. If she has irregular periods, “safe” days can be particularly difficult to predict. Some couples do use the so called ‘rhythm’ method as a form of contraception, but the success rate is not high, and it also offers no protection from STDs such as HIV.
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If a man pulls his penis out before he comes or doesn’t put it in all the way, can a woman still get pregnant?
Unfortunately even if a man doesn’t insert his penis all the way, or withdraws his penis before ejaculation, a woman can still become pregnant. This is because ‘pre-cum’ (the lubricating fluid leaks out of a man’s penis before and during sex) can contain sperm. If this fluid gets in or around a woman’s vagina, it can find its way inside, and she can become pregnant.
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Can a woman become pregnant as a result of anal sex?
No, a woman cannot become pregnant as a result of anal sex, although this is not the best way of avoiding pregnancy on a long term basis. It is better to use regular contraception such as the birth control pill or condoms. Anyone wanting to try anal intercourse should be 100% that their partner willing too, as the idea of anal sex makes many people very uncomfortable. It also carries a higher risk of transmission for HIV and other infections, so it is a good idea to use a condom if you do decide to try it.
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Can a woman become pregnant through oral sex if she swallows sperm?
No, a woman cannot become pregnant as a result of oral sex even if she swallows. A woman can only become pregnant if sperm get inside her vagina.
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Can sperm pass through clothes?
No, generally clothing acts as a barrier against sperm.
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Are there any ways to tell if you are pregnant without using a pregnancy test?
The first sign of pregnancy is usually a missed period. Other symptoms of pregnancy can include tender breasts, nausea and tiredness but not everybody experiences these. If you suspect you are pregnant you should take a pregnancy test. This can be done at a clinic, or you can buy a home testing kit from most major supermarkets and pharmacies. If you use a home test kit it is important to get the result confirmed by your doctor or healthcare professional at a local clinic.
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How long should I wait before carrying out a pregnancy test?
It depends on the type of test you buy. Most tests recommend testing on the day your period is due, although you can buy some that can detect the pregnancy hormone in your urine up to four or five days before this. Make sure you read the instructions thoroughly to find out how long you should wait. If you are not sure when your period is due, the best idea is to wait for at least a 10 days after having had unprotected sex before testing (although it is worth remembering that it can take up to nineteen days or more to show a positive result). If you get a negative result but your period still doesn’t arrive, you should test again at three-day intervals, until your period starts or you get a positive result. The sooner you find out you are pregnant, the sooner you can start thinking about what to do next.
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The test result was negative, but my period still hasn’t arrived. Could I still be pregnant?
If you have tested too soon (see above), then yes, you might still be pregnant. However if you are sure you haven’t tested too soon, then it may well be stress that has delayed your period. Worrying about pregnancy can send your stress hormones rocketing, and this can in turn interfere with your menstrual cycle. If you have lost or gained a lot of weight recently, have undertaken lots of vigorous exercise or you have irregular periods generally, these could also be to blame. Girls who have only recently started their periods often experience very irregular cycles too, so if you’ve only been menstruating for a couple of years or less, try not to panic! If your period is more than a week or two late when you’re normally regular however, you should probably think about seeing your doctor.
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I’m pregnant! What can I do?
If you were planning to get pregnant, then finding out you’re expecting a baby can be a wonderful surprise. However, if you weren’t, it is more likely to be a terrible shock. The most important thing to remember is that you are not alone, and you do have more than one option. The first thing you should do is go to your doctor or your local sexual health or family planning clinic. They will be able to discuss your options with you and help you to decide what to do next. Whether you decide to keep the baby, put it up for adoption or have an abortion, it’s essential that you do what’s right for you and don’t feel pressurised into making a decision.
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on Monday, December 12th, 2005 at 1:57 pm and is filed under FAQ.
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