Pregnancy Calendar

Weeks 1 & 2 of menstrual cycle

• menstrual flow occurs for around 4-5 days
• once menstrual flow stops, the uterus enters the proliferative phase where the lining increases in thickness and water content by two to three times, preparing for a fertilized egg to implant
• during this time the egg or ovum is developing within a follicle on one of the ovaries
• it's very important to either take folic acid supplements or to drink orange juice and eat dark green leafy vegetables - a folic acid deficiency can result in spina bifida (an opening in the spinal column which can result in various levels of disability and paralysis) in your baby

Ovulation/Conception

• Around day 14, due to a spike in the levels of Luteinizing Hormone (LH), the follicle which held the egg bursts and the egg is released into the fallopian (also known as a uterine) tube, travelling towards the uterus
• after the egg is released, the walls of the follicle collapse and become the corpus luteum, which performs a very important function
• the corpus luteum secretes progesterone and some estrogen to prepare the uterine lining for a fertilized egg
• the egg must be fertilized within 24 hours or it will begin to disintegrate
• sperm can survive for 48 hours after intercourse
• if egg and sperm connect - A MIRACLE - CONCEPTION