Fertility 101

Pregnancy

1. How long is a full-term pregnancy? 
A full-term pregnancy is usually at around 39 to 40 weeks, starting from the first week of gestation. Sometimes, some babies are born around 35 to 38 weeks and are perfectly healthy and fine.  

2. How long does it take to get pregnant? 
Most healthy couples will get pregnant within 12 months of unprotected intercourse, and sometimes it takes a bit longer. It's important to do proper research and prepare beforehand to have the best possible outcome for your baby and yourself. The time it takes to get pregnant is vastly different for everyone, so don't compare yourself to others during your fertility journey. 

3. What are the trimesters of pregnancy? 
The first trimester (weeks 1 to 12) is usually when women "feel" the most sick, with common cases of nausea, vomiting, heightened sense of smell, etc. The second trimester (weeks 13 to 28) is when the "bump" is a lot more obvious, and there are several fetal movements already. The third trimester (weeks 29 to 40) is the last term of pregnancy and is usually accompanied by lots of baby movements.  

4. Why do I have so many mood swings, crying, and emotional moments?
During pregnancy, our hormones surge, especially estrogen and progesterone. Aside from the life-changing changes of growing a new life inside you, these changes in hormone levels can impact your day-to-day emotions. This is completely normal, but if you are feeling stressed about this, you should always consult your doctor.  

5. Are weird dreams and strange thoughts common? 
Yes. There are often when uncommon thoughts or vivid dreams happen in pregnancy, but this is all completely normal due to the rising amount of hormones and emotions. If you are concerned, you should consult your doctor or physician right away and let them know about your concerns. 

6. Can I feel depressed during pregnancy? 
Yes. Prenatal depression is a very real and serious condition, and you should always consult your doctor if you have increased feelings of depression. This is caused by a surge and changes in hormones that are beyond your control. You can, however, begin pregnancy-safe treatments for it.  

7. Are there certain foods and things I have to avoid? 
It is recommended that pregnant women should avoid certain foods, activities, and things. Foods such as raw fish, alcohol, high amounts of caffeine, raw eggs, deli meats, etc., should be avoided to prevent pregnancy complications. Rough activities like skating, horseback riding, and basketball are also not recommended during pregnancies, as well as in certain places with high radiation or chemical exposure.