Can A Girl Get Pregnant As Soon As Her Period Starts
Yes, a girl can get pregnant as soon as her period starts. A girl can even get pregnant right before her very first period. This is because a girls hormones might already be active. The hormones may have led to and the building of the uterine wall. If a girl has sex, she can get pregnant, even though she has never had a period.
Pregnant While Bleeding Now What
You may have just found out that you are pregnant despite bleeding. This would have come as a complete surprise. The presence of blood made you oblivious to the fact that you were pregnant. Perhaps you are already further along in the pregnancy and only just found out.
Your first reaction may have been disbelief, alarm, or panic. No wonder your whole world just got turned upside down! Too many unanswered questions are running through your mind. Where do you even start?
Take a deep breath! You do not have to make a decision on the spot. Usually you are given plenty of time to make a choice. Find out about legal time limits at Until When Can I have an Abortion?
This is a difficult road to travel.
You are not alone! We would be happy to walk alongside you, providing you with a judgement-free resources. Our goal is to create an environment in which you can find the path that is just right for you.
Causes Of Bleeding During Pregnancy
Its natural to feel a bit worried if you have
The cause of the bleeding can vary, depending on what stage of pregnancy youre at.
If youre in early pregnancy, it could be:
- implantation bleeding. Small amounts of light bleeding, sometimes called spotting, can occur not long after conception so you might think its a period. This happens when the embryo plants itself in the lining of your womb, and its a normal symptom of pregnancy
- an ectopic pregnancy. This is when a fertilised egg plants itself somewhere other than in the womb. Usually, its in one of the tubes that go from your ovaries to the womb, called the fallopian tubes. It doesnt always have symptoms, but it can cause bleeding or a brown discharge and stomach pain. Sadly, the egg cant develop into a baby and it is usually removed, either with medicine or surgery. Its important to get medical advice straight away if you think you could have an ectopic pregnancy
If youre further on in your pregnancy, it could be:
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What If You Have A 28
The average menstrual cycle is 28 days, with the first day of menstruation as cycle day 1.
Most periods last two to seven days. Pregnancy is uncommon during this time, because your peak fertility window is still about a week or so away.
Around days 6 to 14 of your cycle, your body will start releasing follicle-stimulating hormone .
This helps develop an egg inside your ovary. Your body will also begin rebuilding the endometrial lining in your uterus.
Pregnancy is slightly more likely during this time. Sperm can live up to five days inside the body, so it could still be present when the egg matures.
Once the egg is mature, your body will release lutenizing hormone , triggering the eggs release from your ovary .
Ovulation usually occurs around cycle day 14. Pregnancy is likely on ovulation day.
That said, ovulation doesnt always happen like clockwork. It can occur anywhere from four days before to four days after the midpoint of your menstrual cycle.
The bottom Line
If you ovulate later in your cycle or start your period sooner than usual, you could become pregnant if you have sex in the days leading up to your period.
Lots of people dont have 28-day cycles. Some have cycles as short as 21 days and others as long as 35 days.
In fact, in one study , only about 30 percent of participants had their fertile window fall within days 10 to 17 of their cycle. Only 10 percent had ovulation fall exactly 14 days before their next period.
You can do this a number of ways, including:
The Denial Of Pregnancy
Another reason that can explain getting your period during pregnancy is the denial of pregnancy. This is an unusual phenomenon in which women consciously or unconsciously refuse to believe they are pregnant. Their psychological refusal is so strong that their physical body is also denying any form of pregnancy. There is no nausea, the belly doesnt grow as much, and the period continues as though the cycle never stopped. In these cases, sometimes the only thing that confirms the pregnancy is the birth of the child!
For the most part, its shocking to imagine being completely unaware of such an advanced pregnancy, but its a very real phenomenon!
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Immediately Before Your Period
By and large, your likelihood of conceiving right before your period is low. During a typical 28- to 30-day cycle, ovulation will most likely occur between Day 11 and Day 14. When this happens, the egg will only be available for conception for 12 to 24 hours.
The days immediately before your period would be the safest if you want to have sex without the risk of pregnancy.
Its important to remember, though, that this window of opportunity can vary. Longer cycles will usually have more safe days, while shorter cycles will have fewer. As such, you may risk pregnancy if you ovulate later in the cycle or simply miscalculate your safe days.
On the other hand, if you are trying to conceive, now would not be the best time to start. You can still enjoy sex but are more likely to conceive if you do so after your period.
Why Cant You Technically Have A Period When Youre Pregnant
Throughout the month, your body prepares for pregnancy. It does this by building up the endometrium, or uterine lining. If you become pregnant, this lining serves to help nourish the fertilized egg at the very early stages of pregnancy. If you dont become pregnant, your body sheds the endometrium, via your period. Therefore, its impossible to be pregnant and have a period, because you dont shed your endometrium while pregnant.
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What Are The Chances I Can Get Pregnant On My Period
The chances of getting pregnant if you have sex during your period are very low. However, if youve had unprotected sex, it is still possible to get pregnant during your period.
To understand how this can happen, you need to know how your menstrual cycle works.
- Your cycle starts on the first day of your period and lasts until the first day of your next period.
- About 10 to 16 days before the start of your next period, you will ovulate, which is when one of your ovaries releases an egg.
- Once youve ovulated, you enter the Luteal phase, when the now empty follicle develops the corpus luteum, which produces the hormone progesterone.
- The lining on your uterus thickens in preparation for a fertilised egg to implant.
- If you have not conceived, then the egg passes into the uterus, hormone levels drop, and the womb lining sheds as you begin your next period.
You can read more about your menstrual cycle and ovulation here.
You are at your most fertile around the time you ovulate. Although the egg lives only for 12 to 24 hours after being released, you can get pregnant even if you have sex days before you ovulate as sperm can live up to five days in your body.
So how likely are you to get pregnant during your period? Well, it depends on a few factors like:
- whether you used contraception or not
- the length of your menstrual cycle
- the length of your period
- when you had sex
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What About Right After Your Period
Its unlikely though slightly more likely than if you have sex during your period.
If you have sex right after your period and you ovulate early that month, its possible to get pregnant.
This is more likely with people who have a shorter-than-average cycle, because ovulation occurs more frequently.
Your period will only start if the egg isnt fertilized and the cells are reabsorbed.
This causes estrogen and progesterone levels to fall and menstruation to begin.
However, you may experience some spotting during early pregnancy.
One study found that 14 out of 151 participants experienced one day of vaginal bleeding in the first eight weeks of pregnancy.
Furthermore, 15 percent to 25 percent of people may experience spotting during the first three months of pregnancy.
Taking note of the timing and any other symptoms present can help you differentiate between typical menstruation and pregnancy-related spotting.
Implantation bleeding usually occurs 6 to 12 days after conception. Its caused by the fertilized egg attaching to your uterus lining.
This light spotting usually only lasts 24 to 48 hours and is generally much lighter than the average period.
You may also experience spotting as a result of increased blood flow in the cervix. This type of spotting is most common after sex, a Pap test, or a pelvic exam.
If youre experiencing unexpected bleeding, see a doctor or other healthcare provider.
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How Does Conception Occur
The ability to conceive is miraculous. It requires the meeting of a males sperm with a females egg. Once a womans ovary releases an egg, the egg lives for only between 12 and 24 hours. The male sperm can live for about three days.
The typical female cycle is 28 days. Day 1 is when she starts her period. A woman typically ovulates around day 14 .
Ovulation is when a womans ovary releases an egg for fertilization. If a sperm is available in the uterus, pregnancy can occur.
Ovulation can vary based on a womans cycle. Some women have a longer cycle of around 35 days between periods. Ovulation would then happen around day 21. Women with a shorter cycle of 21 days ovulate around day 7.
Why You Might Experience A Period During Your First Trimester
Though people stop getting their period during pregnancy, its possible that they may still experience some bleeding. This bleeding does not necessarily indicate an underlying issue, but its important to understand the cause of it and whether its time to see a health care provider.
Bleeding tends to occur more often during the first trimester of pregnancy than the second or third. Estimates suggest that about 25 to 30 percent of pregnant people experience spotting at some point during their first trimester. There are a number of reasons for this bleeding.
Implantation bleeding: This refers to the light spotting that occurs about 10 to 14 days after conception, around the time when your period is due. Many people havent yet taken a pregnancy test at this point, so its easy to mistake the spotting for a period. This bleeding is lighter than a normal period, however, and only lasts for a couple of days. It occurs due to the implantation of the fertilized egg into the uterine lining.
Cervical changes: Spotting can occur shortly after you get pregnant due to cervical changes, and particularly after having sexual intercourse. As long as no infection is present, theres no need to be concerned about this.
Other causes: Heavier bleeding that more closely resembles a period during the first trimester of pregnancy can indicate something more serious, including:
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Can I Get Pregnant A Couple Of Days After My Period Has Finished
Its possible, but also unlikely. Though there is always risk of pregnancy if you have sex without contraception a. If you ovulate early when you have short menstrual cycles you may be able to get pregnant this time of the month. However, once youve finished your period youre moving into your fertility window, which means your chances of getting pregnant increase as you approach ovulation.
Speaking To Your Doctor Or Midwife
If you have any bleeding during pregnancy, or any of the other symptoms mentioned here, you should contact your doctor or midwife straight away.
They will ask you about other symptoms, such as pain or light-headedness, and you may have an examination this could be a physical check, an ultrasound or a blood test. In some cases, they may advise a stay in hospital to keep an eye on you and your baby.
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Why Did I Miss A Period
Missing a period is not uncommon, and most of the time, it is not a cause for concern. Some of the reasons you might miss a period include:
Normal lifecycle changes
There are a number of changes that happen in the female lifecycle that can result in a skipped period. All of these are normal reasons to miss a period and are not cause for concern.
For example:
Pregnancy
The most common reason for a missed period is pregnancy. If this is a possibility, take a home pregnancy test to see if this is the cause of your missed period. If you skip a period and then have one the next month at the expected time, its possible that a non-viable pregnancy occurred, and the period is actually an early miscarriage.
Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding can suppress your period, depending on how frequently you are nursing. You may get a period while breastfeeding, and then not have another one for several months or more, particularly if your baby is nursing exclusively. You can ovulate before you get your period, so its important to use birth control during this time, if you dont want to get pregnant.
Menopause
A skipped period may be a sign that you are entering menopause and your periods are beginning to become less regular, especially if you are experiencing other symptoms of menopause . If you are 45 or older, there is a good chance this is the cause of a missed period.
Stress
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Can I Take Pain Relief Medication During Pregnancy
If you find that you need to take pain relief medication to relieve any pain, it is safest to use something simple such as paracetamol. Drugs such as aspirin and ibuprofen should be avoided. If you find that you need a stronger pain relief medication, you must always check with your doctor, nurse or midwife first.
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How Do You Tell If You’re Pregnant Without A Test
The most common early signs and symptoms of pregnancy might include:
What Can I Do To Get Pregnant
If you want to get pregnant, its a good idea to talk to your doctor. Many doctors will advise a few lifestyle changes if youre trying for a baby, such as taking a or prenatal vitamin supplements, avoiding alcohol, quitting smoking, and trying to maintain a healthy weight. You may also want to use an ovulation test to help you identify when your most fertile days are. You can see our range of ovulation tests and here to help you maximize your chances of conceiving.
Also, see our tips on .
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How Much Bleeding Is Ok In Early Pregnancy
Light bleeding during the first trimester is common. In fact, about 20 percent of women experience it, so if it’s happening to you, don’t worry everything is probably fine. However, bleeding can sometimes be a sign of something serious, so it’s important to know what to look for and when to seek medical help.
How To Distinguish Implantation Bleeding
Implantation bleeding differs from a normal period in that it is a smaller amount of blood loss than a normal period. It may be just some spotting, and should not be enough to fill several tampons. The colour is often dark brown or light pink rather than the bright red blood of a normal period, and there are no clots. The bleeding shouldnt last a long time, perhaps only a few hours, although it could be up to a week.
If your periods are regular, implantation bleeding happens a few days earlier than when a normal period is due, so it is often mistaken for an early period. There may be a slight abdominal cramp that occurs when the egg attaches onto the womb, but this cramping is generally faint and does not increase in strength over time. If you have severe pain associated with the light bleed, then it is unlikely that its due to implantation bleeding. Other signs of early pregnancy can occur with implantation bleeds, which include mood swings, breast tenderness and oily skin.
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Bleeding During Pregnancy And Miscarriage
You may have heard of
Most miscarriages happen during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. The main sign is bleeding, along with cramping and pain in your lower tummy. If youre having these symptoms its important to contact your doctor straight away. They may send you for tests, such as an ultrasound scan to check on the baby.
Around 1 in 8 pregnancies end in miscarriage among people who know they are pregnant. Many more miscarriages happen before people know they are pregnant.