Body basics - Womens' Stuff

Our bodies are amazing...truly amazing! I now realise what Mrs Mac my biology teacher was banging on about in sex ed...I was too busy sniggering to pay attention at the time!

If you've forgotten, here's a breakdown of getting knocked up.

The Womans bits....

• The length of your monthly cycle is calculated from day 1 of your period, through to the day before  you start your next period.

• Our monthly cycles are divided into two halves.

1. The first half (Follicular Phase) starts from the first day of your period up to ovulation (when you pop an egg).
2. The second half (Luteal Phase) runs from day after ovulation to the day before your period.

During the  first half:

• Your body is gearing up to pop an egg.
• A message is sent to your ovaries to get that egg ripe and ready. 
• This message causes an increase in LH (lutenising hormone), which in turn causes your follicles to release a mature egg.
• Ovulation takes place roughly 10-16 days before your next period. So if you have a cycle of say 28 days, you could expect to ovulate somewhere between day 12 and day 18 of your cycle
• This egg is wafted up into your fallopian tubes, where it waits for or hopes to come across some sperm.

During the second half (also known as the 'two week wait' to find out if pregnant):

• The day you ovulate can change from month to month, but the length of your luteal phase usually remains the same.
• This is why, sometimes your period seems early or late - it's not. It arrived on time, but you ovulated earlier or later than usual.
• Your womb lining is nice and thick.
• Hopefully your egg is being fertilised, making it's way to the uterus and getting snuggled in.
• If it doesn't you'll have your period.
• If it does, you should get a Big Fat Positive (BFP) on your pregnancy test!