You should read this if you’re looking to conceive and if you’re not looking to conceive, too!
You’re most likely to fall pregnant six days before you ovulate, on the day that you ovulate, and for around two days afterwards. If you want to fall pregnant, now’s the chance to engage in baby-making. Don’t want to conceive? Be extra careful with contraception around this time in your cycle.
Sperm can survive for up to five days inside your body. While sperm can survive this long, it has a small window of around 48 hours to fertilise the ovum before the ovum is absorbed back into the body.
Which is why you could become pregnant during the six days leading up to ovulation and the two days after if you have had unprotected sex. Under normal circumstances (where both partners are fertile and there are no underlying health conditions) you’re most likely to conceive on the above-mentioned days if sperm is present in the fallopian tubes when you ovulate.
Emphasis on not impossible. While it isn’t likely that you’ll conceive while menstruating (it’s actually the least likely time you’ll fall pregnant), it can happen if you have a very short menstrual cycle (you ovulate soon after your period) and if sperm survives inside your body after having sex.
As most of us know, the earliest sign is a missed period but this could also be down to stress or other factors. The easiest and quickest way to answer your question is to take a home pregnancy test, which can be taken from the first day of your missed period. They're usually pretty reliable but if you're unsure, contact your GP and get booked in.
In most cases it's totally safe to have sex when pregnant, though you may want to avoid putting too much pressure on your bump and breasts! If you have a high-risk pregnancy or have had any bleeding then it's worth consulting your midwife or doctor first, just to be on the safe side.
Unfortunately the answer is yes. As the bleeding is mostly the lining of the womb it's totally normal to have vaginal bleeding after a caesarean, just as you would for a vaginal birth.
We would advise against this straight after birth as your vagina needs time to heal and using internal protection could increase the risk of infection. You're best to wait for your 6 week check, where your midwife will inform you if you're okay to use tampons.
Crying at the drop of a hat? Wondering why your favourite foods suddenly make you want to throw up? Chances are, you’re experiencing some of the usual pregnancy symptoms...
Find out moreYou’ve read about post-partum bleeding, now here’s how to prepare for it.
Find out moreAt Lil-Lets, we think that preparation is key! We’ve put together the ultimate hospital bag checklist to help you pack for your new arrival. Find out more.
Find out more