When is the beginning of pregnancy?

by Lidia
(Colton)

I think I am pregnant and I wanted to know if the beginning of pregnancy starts from the last day of your last period, or on the date of conception?

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When is the beginning of pregnancy?

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It depends on your beliefs
by: Brianna

This is a rather tricky question.

For some people, they believe that pregnancy begins at conception. This means that when the sperm fertilizes the egg, life begins.

Others believe that life begins when the fetus is viable.

This debate has continued to for many years and has even reached the courts for rulings.

Most of the medical community believes that pregnancy begins when the fertilized egg implants into the lining of the uterus.

However, there are times when this doesn?t go as it should, result in a miscarriage.

Some women don?t even realize that this happens, as they simply think they are getting their normal period.

If the egg does implant successfully in the lining of the uterus, pregnancy begins.

The egg will develop into a fetus, with a heartbeat present at five to six weeks and can be seen on an ultrasound.

For many religions, pregnancy begins at conception, even before the egg is implanted into the lining of the uterus.

It?s really a personal choice as to what you believe. Depending on your religion, scientific beliefs, and other important factors, you could believe differently.

If you are really concerned about at what point pregnancy and life begins, then perhaps you should speak to someone.

Consider a meeting with your religious leader or you doctor. You might want to talk to some of your family members to get their opinion.

However, when it comes down to it, it?s really how you feel about pregnancy in general.
Beginning of pregnancy and conception
by: Anonymous

It is difficult to know the exact day of the beginning of pregnancy and conception. Most of the time the date of conception is an estimated guess. One way that people measure the beginning is to start from the first day of their previous period (the last regular period before they missed their period). So the first day that your period started last month, would be the beginning day of this pregnancy. This is called the "gestational age" of the baby. An ultrasound exam at the doctor's office can be helpful in determining what was the beginning of your pregnancy.

If a woman knows for sure of a specific date she was intimate then she may know the day of conception and that would tell the "fetal age" of the baby.

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