Pregnancy and Menstruation

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The human body is truly amazing. The menstrual cycle succeeds beautifully in nurturing an egg for fertilization and development into a fetus, and, if fertilization doesn’t happen, in cleansing your body and preparing it to start the cycle anew. And when an egg is fertilized, the cycle ends to let your body concentrate on more important things: your baby. Read on for more about your period and pregnancy.

Q. When during the menstrual cycle can (or can’t) I get pregnant? A. You’re most fertile at about the midpoint of your menstrual cycle. In a regular 28-day cycle, that would be about two weeks before your period starts. Of course, since most menstrual cycles aren’t perfectly regular, it’s hard to predict this timing in real life. The midpoint of the cycle is when an egg is released from one of your ovaries into one of your fallopian tubes, through which it travels toward your uterus. Right around this time, from just before the release of the egg to the time when it arrives in your uterus, is when you’re most likely to get pregnant. You’re least likely to get pregnant during menstruation, when the egg is being flushed from the body. However, it’s important to remember that you can get pregnant anytime, even during your period.

Q. What happens to my period during pregnancy? A. During pregnancy, the uterus is completely focused on protecting and nourishing the growing fetus. It sends out a sort of “busy signal” and can’t receive eggs as usual. Your body stops ovulating and shedding the lining of the uterus. As a result, you don’t have your period. After your baby is born, your body’s natural cycle of ovulation returns, and your period returns as well.

Q. How soon after childbirth will my period return? A. Soon after childbirth, your body will readjust, ovulation will kick right back in and your menstrual cycle will return. For some women, this happens only weeks after giving birth; for others, it takes months. Rest assured that even though pregnancy is a very complicated process, most women’s bodies recover quickly.

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What others are saying.

Ally, 6/25/2008 2:00:09 PM
Very helpful information!

jennifer, 7/10/2008 9:30:07 AM
i.am.concerned.about,my,age.and.getting.older.i.am.in.my.thirties.i.have.no.children.i.pray.gods.heeling.protections.working.through.my.bodily.needs,concerning.my.mounthly.time.pms.i.pray.god.blesses.me.and.helps.me.to.have.and.hope.for.children.in.my.life

Lisa, 7/24/2008 11:28:12 AM
Is it possible to continue to have your period while you are pregnant?

leslie, 7/24/2008 8:50:28 PM
i had sex one day ago and its possible the the condom leaked a little bit and i mite b pregnant but i just started my period today.so am i pregnant or not?because i thought that if u are pregnant there is no possible way to have your period but there has only been about 19 hours between the time that i had sex and the time that i started my period.please help!!!!

beverly, 8/11/2008 12:32:04 PM
to leslie it's very possible your pregant infact thats how i got pregnant

ashley, 8/11/2008 7:32:58 PM
i might be pregnant but i would do an at home pregnancy test before you jump to conclusion.
hope i helped!!!!

Teresa, 8/13/2008 6:53:41 AM
my husband and i have been trying 2 concieve for a while now and everything we have tried has failed could 2 much caffeine and smoking have anything at all 2 do with it? Some people say yes and some say no now which is it?Please help.

samantha , 8/18/2008 1:20:53 PM
hi my name is samantha in 2001 i had a etopic pregancy and it seem like its very hard for me to get pregnant again. But right after the etopic pregnancy i got pregnant again but i had a miscarriage. I want to get pregnant but itseemvery hard. what do you sugguest.

A.J, 8/30/2008 3:04:01 PM
I had a baby in march and I still havnt got my period.... I am breast feeding too... I took a pregnancy test about a month and a half ago and it was negative...... can it take that long to get my period back??

Dana, 9/5/2008 11:57:52 PM
How do i know when i can get prenant

Beth, 9/7/2008 9:04:40 PM
In response to Teresa... Yes coffee can absolutely have an effect on you getting pregnant as well as smoking. Although a number of other factors may be involved as well including age. If you've been trying more then 6 months to a year I would consult your Dr. or a Specialist to see what they would recomment. I would also suggest that if your truly interested in getting pregnant you do everything you can to quit smoking since it isn't good for you or the baby when your pregnant anyway. As for the caffeine, recent studies have also shown that it can increase your chances of miscarriage if you do become pregnant and continue to use it in excess. Yeah well... hope I was of some help.

Beth, 9/7/2008 9:10:55 PM
This is in response to Samantha. I also had an ectopic pregnancy back in 2003. I am currently pregnant with my second child so there is hope! I would however, recommend talking to your OB/GYN or seeking out an infertility specialist, since having an ectopic pregnancy can often lead to future ectopic pregnancies. Not sure if you know what the cause of yours was, but often the scaring that causes an ectopic pregnancy will remain or even come back after corrective surgery, so often a women may have to think about infertility options/treatments such as IVF. Although, this may not always be the case, and you may still be able to conceive and carry a healthy baby to term naturally. That is why I would recommend talking to your Dr. or specialist. Hope I was of some help.

Kate, 9/11/2008 7:39:16 PM
I was on the patch, I was to take the patch off to receive my period, but there was nothing (no period).But there was orange, smelly, bloody mucus during the week before the fourth week. I was treated for a UTI after being put on seasonique birth control. I'm now on my second week of taking the pills but I've started to bleed a little today And I had sex last week w/out protection. I know bad me. Has anyone else experienced this or have any advise? Thank you for your time. : )

Oby, 9/22/2008 11:08:44 AM
is two days after menstruation safe to have sex?

jaime, 10/7/2008 10:28:22 AM
i'm 19 and recently i've been feeling bloated, tired, moody and also feel like i always have to pee. i talked to one of my friends who, even though i'm on birth control, think might be pregnant. i don't know what to do. i feel like i cant really talk to my boyfriend about it because his last girlfriend had an abortion, so the whole pregnancy thing is a touchy subject. i don't think i could ever get an abortion but i also don't think i could afford this baby nor am i ready for it. I feel like i cant talk to anyone in my life and figured this looked like a helpful place.

Andrea, 10/18/2008 2:45:17 AM
In responce to Jamie...Although it is not likely yes, you can get pregnant on birth control. This is especially possible if you are taking another drug like sleeping aids that conteract the birth control. If you have a GYNO you should really speak with him/her about how you are feeling and any other medications you may be taking. If not, try Planned Parenthood. They can provide prenatal care as well as counselling and adoption services if you really feel you have no way to care for the child. The best thing though would be to just wait and see if you get your period. If not, you can get a home pregnancy test from any drug store or grocery store. Most important, don't ever feel like your alone! There are people out there that can help you no matter what!

sandra, 11/12/2008 12:24:42 PM
very helpful information thank you very much

Trish, 11/13/2008 12:13:35 PM
Hey, I had sex November 3rd,4th,5th, and 6th. My period was due November 12th. I'm a day late. I skipped 2 months of the pill and just restarted it the sunday after October 15th. I usually start on the 3rd pink unactive pill and I'm now on the 4th. Any idea?

Jessica, 11/18/2008 6:04:00 PM
I had an ectopic pregnancy 4 months ago i am now pregnant again! Is it safe to have sex knowing there is a higher risk of having another ectopic?

Dana, 11/19/2008 12:53:41 PM
I have six kids, one that I lost at 18 wks my other is two, I have been trying since october 07 and have not gotten pregant any suggestions?

Rebecca, 12/15/2008 12:21:44 AM
I haven't exactly been trying to get pregnant, but me and my husband would like to. i cant really keep up with my ovulation because my period is really irregular. i soemtimes go like 3 months without it. i got off of birth control in June and they were normal until August (they were starting to get irregular before i went on the birth control) i got one in the first on August and not another one until late October early November. I still havent started again. Will it be harder for me to get pregnant with my cycles being irregular? I've tried thinking of anything it can be, I'm about 40-50 pounds overweight and i smoke... but all of my friends have kids and they all smoke, and i know alot of people who are way heavier than i am and they still got pregnant. When i went to the doctor last (over a year ago) they didnt say anything about me having something wrong with my cervix or uterus. I dont have a regular sleep schedule (i usually stay up all night and sleep all day). I dont have alot of stress. I dont know what it could be. Does anyone know if there are some tips to help me get pregnant, like foods to eat or anything. I really love kids and I'm scared I won't be able to get pregnant. sorry so long...

Carmen, 12/24/2008 7:28:26 PM
I got my period friday december 19 and it ended sunday december 21 with spotting on monday december 22. My fionce and I had sex yesterday, tuesday december 23. He accidentally came inside me so I do not know if I should be worried about being pregnant. I just basically want to ask if there's a possibility that I'm pregnant and if so when is it a good time to check if I'm pregnant?

Ariel, 12/29/2008 6:12:01 PM
So I didn't get my period for almost 3 months I had taken two home pregancy tests in the first month and they both came back negative, so I figured it was stress related. Well by the third month I finally got my period and i've had it for over a month, it had been really light and brownish/dark. well just today it got REALLY heavy and i passed a huge clot, and I have really bad abdominal pains(not like the normal cramps I get during my period) I read up on miscariages and I was wondering if maybe anyone could tell me if I had one?

Michele, 1/15/2009 12:48:36 AM
Is it Possible to be pregnant and still have your period?? My mom say its possible for you to be pregnant and still have a period but I don't know can somebody answer that for me??

Lore Mora, 1/18/2009 6:11:44 PM
It is possible to be pregnant 6 days before i got my perid?

riya, 1/25/2009 7:40:49 AM
hi iam married planning 4 baby,but bcos i am having pain during sex i cant do it,and dryness 2

kelly, 2/2/2009 1:35:42 PM
in december i had sex and in da middle of the month i had came on my period and it was light n i was crampin less. usually i have severe cramps and very heavy bleeding. my period lasts 5 days and after that last day i was off, so 7 days later when i had cleaned myself out on christmas eve. the 8th day i was back on my period but this time it was very heavy n i was crampin very badly. and i came off. after that i have been sick for the past month or so and i came back on my period 20 somethin days later i came back on january 24 n it was heavy, and i had been real sick and gainin weight n i been cold all the time. i had wanted to know if im pregnant because i had all the symptoms of pregnancy n im going to take a test to find out myself. but is there a possibliity that i can be pregnant? or not?

Ashley, 2/3/2009 2:20:19 PM
Is it possible to have a light period while pregnant? I'm asking because I had sex in late november and I think I might be pregnant but I've had my period every month.

JENJEN, 2/8/2009 12:22:30 AM
my period finished 3 days AGO and i just had SEX and the condom broke can i be pregnant?






deandra, 2/13/2009 12:23:02 PM
i've tried 2 get pregnant but i dnt knw wats wrong

Amanda, 2/24/2009 12:12:44 AM
does anyone know what is wrong with me my period last month was a bright orange color and i dont know what is going on and intercourse sends a sharp pain up to my bellybutton sometimes can someone shed some light on this problem for me ?

tracey, 3/2/2009 7:56:30 AM
I normally have a 32 day cycle. On my 14th day after intercoarse I bled a little bit, and in the morning I also bled but only when I went to the bathroom, it was a pinkish color and only lasted a minute and it was gone. My question is that since I have a 32 day cycle i am not supposed to ovulate until my 18th day, was this ovulation???

lilian, 3/3/2009 9:10:57 PM
Is it normal to have cramps when your pregnant, if so can i take pills for the cramps?

jeremy, 3/4/2009 4:58:26 PM
could my wife have gotten pregnant 3 days before her period and still have her period?

DEJHANEE, 3/8/2009 8:53:05 PM
I'M ON MY PERIOD WICH STARTED MARCH 1 IT BEGAN HEAVY AND IS NOW LITE PINK SPOTING ,SO STRONGLY BELIVE THAT I MAY BE PREGNAT BECAUSE MY STOMACH STOMACH IS BLOATED AND FEEL HARD IN MOST SPOTS,AND FROM WHAT I KNOW BLOATING STOPS ONCE YOU PREIOD BEGINGS,I WANT TO TAKE A TEST SO BADLY BUT STARTED THAT I MAY GET A FALSE RESULT IF I TAKE IT DURING MY PERIOD NOW,( PLEASE !!) TELL ME WHAT SHOULD I DO?

lisa, 3/9/2009 9:18:16 AM
would you have pregnancy symptoms while your still getting you r period?

lorraine, 3/16/2009 4:56:47 PM
my period has been down for 14 days now what is the problem

tessa, 3/17/2009 7:03:07 PM
can you be pregnant and still get your period ? i need to know this soon so it would really help if some one could tell me ....

estefany.L, 3/18/2009 5:40:53 PM
Iam 25 years old and i will like to get pregnant,but i gad a miscarriage in2004 and i dont now what to do..

greenyard, 3/23/2009 8:08:13 AM
one week after and before menstraution is it safe?

anonomouse, 3/23/2009 2:55:01 PM
Well last month i turned 13, (and i havent had my 1st period yet) and a week after my birthday, i lost my virginity. ( i know, bad choice) any way i have been throwing up the past two days and i have really bad cramps. can i be pregnant?

Jessica , 3/24/2009 2:35:53 PM
Well it has been conifirmed i am pregnant. Anyway i am just wondering if you can have sex during pregnancy or if it will damage the baby?

Shirley, 3/26/2009 1:04:17 AM
I'm 47 years old and I still have my menstruation. I had intercourse during my fifth day of my period. Will it be possible to get pregnant at that time?

Kai, 3/28/2009 7:46:56 PM
My mom is pregnant for almost 2 months, but sometimes, there's a little blood. It's not her period and she's concern if there's something wrong with the child. Please help!

kristy, 4/1/2009 2:11:58 PM
I have had my period it had been a week late and i took a pregnancy test and it came back positive, i have a full period but have all the symptoms of pregnancy especially nausea and fatigue. is this possible?

Celida, 4/5/2009 1:12:06 PM
I had sex yesterday and the condom ripped so he accidentally came inside of me..this was last night in fact but I got my period this morning. Is it possible for me to get pregnant? And since I'm on my period is it, can I still take the after pill? Please help!

baily, 4/8/2009 12:42:52 AM
yeah you can bleed during pregnancy. its around your 2 week-ish mark. this is because its implanting. you shouldnt bleed to much. maybe a light spoting.. some woman dont bleed. if your in the early trimister go to your doctor and get a blood test to confirm if you are or are not pregnant.

ivan, 4/10/2009 3:15:53 PM
my wife bled during her pregnancy.. Is she necessarily losing the baby?

Sherene, 4/17/2009 11:23:02 AM
My period came about two weeks earlier than usual. Could I be pregnant?

leslie leona reddick, 4/18/2009 11:41:09 PM
i hade my period in january and i was on a shot and i did not see a period yet and it have been bodiring me what can i doabout that i need to see my period.

Izabella, 4/19/2009 4:44:39 AM
When my boyfriend Todd and I were having sex the condom broke and I'm positve I am pregnant I am 6 days late for my period.I can't tell Todd because he really wants to be a professional soccer player and I don't want him to stop it.I need so much help please.

Santey, 4/20/2009 11:38:41 PM
I havent taken a pregnency test yet but I think I may be 3 weeks pregnant. About a week ago I took 7 sleeping pills, will my baby be harmed in some way??

SOmmer, 4/21/2009 3:53:54 AM
Can you be pregant and still have your regular periods? I have irregular ones and I wanted to know is it possible to be pregnant while having ur time of the month?

big daddy, 4/25/2009 11:05:16 AM
people stop and think,,, sex can lead to pregnacy that is how it works,.If you think you might be take a test or get tested for your safety and the baby.If you are pregnant talk to someone you can trust. or maybe its time to make a new friend. eather way you need to have a good support group a shoulder to cry on.,and dont keep it from the dad.,if you can have sex together you should be able to talk.,if not DONT DO IT.,and if some thing is wrong see a doctor ask them., ther are a lot of free places out there that offer support.,., I send my best wishes to you all and hope that it all works out in the end =-)

amanda, 4/25/2009 2:43:48 PM
i took two at home pregnancy test they said possitive, but i got my period, am i pregnant?

dfghf, 4/26/2009 7:56:54 PM
i think i might be pregnant..but i just had my period..whats the deal?

allese, 4/27/2009 5:02:48 AM
i just start my period last Saturday .i still be morning sickness i just wont to know could i be still pregnant

courtney, 4/29/2009 1:06:38 PM
ihave 4kids but lost one and i bleed with all of them the first 3 months and i 2 boys 2 girls but one gurl was 3 months when she past from sids its not no fun havin kids its to worrysum but its nice all i got to say is it more headace then anything

Jen, 4/30/2009 3:34:32 PM
I had my daughter 3.5.09 I had my 6 week check up and started my period. And I've been bleeding for 2 weeks stright, is that normal?

Jessica, 4/30/2009 8:38:17 PM
im 18 yrs old and ive been pregnant before but i had a miscarriage and the day before i got my period i had unprotected sex with my husband and althrough out my period except for 1 day but it was lite bleeding and also i have hypothyroidism could i be pregnant idk wat to do or think?

linda, 5/2/2009 9:35:35 PM
I had sex with my boyfriend,two weeks later I had a period. But, I have All the signs,my breast heart and are swollen.Is it possible to get pregnet,then have a normal period?

Katie, 5/7/2009 11:37:38 PM
I need to know when is a good time to take a pregnancy test... Is it safe to do it during my period or should I wait until after? How many days after my period should I wait?
I'm concerned of a possible chance as my period this month is EXTREMELY light. My best friend said she had her period twice during the first few months of her pregnancy so... I'm a bit nervous. Thanks!

kellie, 5/8/2009 5:21:33 AM
My husband and I are trying to get pregnant.I am eight days late but everytime I pee for the last four days I bleed a lite reddish color could I be pregnant?

sandra, 5/18/2009 1:20:09 PM
I need to know can i get pregnant two days befor my period stops.

terrie, 5/19/2009 12:36:33 PM
i have 3 kids and im on my period now and my husband didnt use any protection can i still get pregnet? I thought that during ur period u cannot get pregnet.

nina, 5/28/2009 6:42:11 PM
my period was six days late and i started my period but its light, is it possible i could be pregnant?...

T, 5/29/2009 4:28:44 PM
can you get have sex while you on your period??

Ruby, 6/2/2009 5:17:59 PM
I have a concern about bleeding after pregnancy. I am a first time mother. My daughter was born 5 and 1/2 weeks ago and after she was born I bled for about 2 weeks then in the 3rd week it was just a small amount of pinkish watery stuff then I started to bled again for another 2 weeks. After the 5th week there was nothing there for about 3 days so I figured it was done. My husband and I had sex yesterday and then that night and today I have started to bleed again, not really heavy like the 4 other weeks that I bled, but its bright red and there is quite a bit there. Is this normal? Am I just having my normal period now since it stopped for those 3 days and came back or is there something wrong? Any help would be appreciated.

JL800, 6/2/2009 11:21:40 PM
Will someone please all these ladies question if they can have their period during the first trimester pregnancy? My girlfriend and I want to know if it is normal. Are there any risk we should know about?

anisha, 6/9/2009 5:30:48 AM
im 32 and 8 days late could i be pregnant

mikki, 6/12/2009 5:04:42 AM
im really hoping to get pregnant now! i payed my gyne a visit 2 weeks ago to have an ultrasound to check if im ovulating...please anyone tell me... is a woman fertile if she's ovulating?
i hope and pray for my angel to come soon...

Stacy, 6/18/2009 11:49:51 AM
i took a test two days ago and on the result shows a line bright and the other line dull which two line represents positive, now yesterday my period came down. Could I be pregnant or not?

Stacey, 6/21/2009 2:03:01 PM
This message is for Stacy. You probably are pregnant even if the other line was dull. what you think is your period could also be blood from the pregnacy. I would definetly go see a doctor or take another test to be absolutely sure. Good Luck!!!

Kaylee, 6/23/2009 11:35:12 AM
I'm 17. and have been having unprotected sex with my boyfriend. So heres my question...i am supposed to have my period right now but the only time i bleed is during sex...then it stops...can your period do that or could I be pregnant

samantha, 6/29/2009 7:39:39 AM
My mother-in law is pregnant and so am I
but she starting bleeding is that normal
but she is 6 m. she said that she dose not hurt or nothing is that normal.
And I also starting bleeding but I am 5 m.
but my only last for 2 days and stop is that normal. Can to much iron because of my mother-in law bleeding.

layonnie, 7/22/2009 3:25:55 AM
I had unprotected sex about six days ago but I have started my period about 24 hours ago please help me am I pregnant because it did not just happen once it happened twice in the same day ;-(

Michelle , 7/30/2009 6:34:45 PM
so the start of last period was on April 28th, 09. And yes i am pregnant, but im confused. the OB has told me that im due in March instead of Feb because of a silent period. Which she says that I didnt concieve in May and the i concieved in June rather due to this silent period thing. I have always had my periods on time and ever since my gastric bypass they have been as NORMAL as can be. Has any one heard of a silent period before. Help im confused. THANKS A BUNCH...

Victoria, 8/9/2009 9:28:39 PM
Well i was wondering if any of you might have an answer to a question i have...i had unprotected sex on the first day of my period..is there a chance i might be pregnant?

Rachel, 8/11/2009 7:42:33 PM
Hi im 17 && had been on my period for over a month and just stop about a week ago but last night me && my biyfriend had i start bleeding very heavly and i pee out big blood clots what does this mean? During my period i had blood clots too but like i said i was on for over a month woth lotsof pain, i went to the doctors got blood test and pelvis && abdoman ultra sounds but nothing.. if any of you know what im going threw please help..

COURTNEY, 8/29/2009 8:48:34 PM
I HAVENT HAD MY PERIOD IN 1 MONTH BUT IN BETWEEN THOSE TIME PERIODS I HAVE BEEN SPOTTING DOES THIS MEAN I AM PREGNANT HELP PLEASE

sheila, 9/3/2009 5:08:27 PM
right now i need an answer i have regular cycle of 26 days i had unprotected sex on my 14 day could i be pregnant

tiffany, 10/12/2009 1:20:48 PM
im 17 and i have a problem. I didnt have a period for about 2 to 4 months and i thought i was pregnat, but the test came out negative. Then i randomly feel the need to take a test and it says its possitvie.a day after i restarted my period then stoped then restarted it agaiin at raondom times. Does this mean im presgnat or could it just be hormons?

MAGGIE, 10/20/2009 1:58:32 PM
HI.im.maggie.im.20.i.am.engaged.and.pregnant.with.twins.any.advice.

ZULINE, 10/22/2009 2:45:52 AM
RIGHT NOW IM BLEEDING HEAVY BLOOD CLODS I NEVER BLEEDED LIOKE THIS BE4 PLUS MY PERIOD JUST WHEN OFF NOW IM BLEEDING IS IT POSSISBLE THAT IM PREGNANT IN DONT EVEN KNOW IN HAVING A MISCARRIAGE?

sobia, 10/28/2009 2:17:48 PM
i m breast feeding my baby from 15 months countinously ,after child birth i had periods but thennext8 monyhs no periods then3months i had period and now this month no periods sign but i use full protection for intercourse,but still i feel doubt ,my last period was 20thsept ,and now 28thsept so whats that please tell me

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