Learn moreIf semen touches any part of the female genitals, there is a chance a woman will get pregnant.
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High chance |
Unprotected vaginal sex (penis-in-vagina) |
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Some chance |
Anal sex (no risk for same-sex partners) |
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No chance |
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The female menstrual cycle prepares a woman for possible pregnancy.
The most common way to get pregnant is vaginal sex. The male releases semen into the female vagina. The semen contains millions of tiny sperm.
When the sperm leaves the male body, they swim up the vagina, through the uterus and into the fallopian tubes.
If a sperm meets an egg (fertilization) in the fallopian tubes, they come together to make a zygote. The zygote attaches itself to the thickened lining of the uterus, where it starts growing into a baby.
Use this link to have a look at pregnancy week by week: KidsHealth Pregnancy Calendar
Are we pregnant?
Missing your period is one sign that you may be pregnant. If you are sexually active and your period is late, you can:
- Take a home pregnancy test
- Take a pregnancy test at the health centre
Every woman is different. Here are some things a woman may experience when she gets pregnant:
- Sore breasts
- Mood swings
- Morning sickness—nausea or vomiting
- Weight gain
- Lower back pain
- Peeing a lot
Females can miss a period for other reasons:
- Diet, excessive exercise, and stress
- Some birth control methods may cause a woman’s period to stop or become irregular, or reduce the blood flow
If you have questions or concerns about your period, talk to a doctor or nurse.