Pregnancy not only involves physical changes but it also includes emotional transformation. There are several encyclopedic materials available in the market which prepares you for motherhood but for the uninitiated, Pregnancy is more than the concept of three trimesters.

Not only in India, but women all over the globe are opting for late pregnancies. The only reason behind this idea is being financially secure, before the first child is born.  The other reason behind it could be the career focused nature that most of the couples inhibit, which makes them invest very little in their relationship and intimacy. This ‘delayed pregnancies’ have their own set of complications and myths attached to them. 

Couples are more and more getting depended on reproductive technologies, if they cross over the child-bearing age. 

Many couples today have a very limited understanding of how to best plan for a pregnancy. Hence, they are getting more and more depended on reproductive technologies if they fail to conceive. 

The internet or Google is the new in-house doctor or a friend who shares information on how to get pregnant.  Additionally the education imparted in schools on sex and reproduction is so limited and tends to be mostly incorrect. The only thing that we tend to remember is that, “you can get pregnant if you have sex at any time during your cycle”. Though this information may make teenagers extra vigilant to practice same sex, but spreading myths about pregnancy isn’t cool. 

Besides, there also seems be a lack of awareness among women about steps they can take in their early reproductive years to preserve the possibility of conception later in life.

Some steps like:

a) Safe sex

b) Early conception i.e. to prevent STD (Sexually Transmitted Disease) 1st child before age 35yrs.

c) Rx diseases like endometriosis, fibroids with ovary spanning surgery

d) Preserve eggs before chemotherapy or radiotherapy

Importance of understanding the menstrual cycle

Knowing when you’re most fertile is one of the most important things you need to know when you’re trying to get pregnant. Besides, being aware of your menstrual cycle and the changes that happen in your body during your cycle can also be helpful. 

It is crucial to understand how the menstrual cycles and the different parts of the woman’s body work. Ovulation encompasses many different aspects.  But when a female is said to be ovulating, it means the process that ultimately infers the stage in which a female is most able to conceive. 

Every menstrual cycle has two parts: before ovulation and after. A woman is most fertile and most likely to get pregnant two to three days before ovulation and 12 to 24 hours after ovulation.

Since there are no outward changes to signal that an ovulation has occurred. However, there are methods that may help you keep track of your fertility. 

a) Regular periods are one sign of ovulation.

b) The rectal temperature shows an increase in body temperature during ovulation

c) The cervical mucous looses its elasticity & becomes thick & viscous with ovulation.

Read more pregnancy related articles here.