My Conception

Conception is defined as the moment the egg of a female is fertilized by the sperm of a male, and conception marks the beginning of new life. When conception takes place following sexual intercourse, it marks the beginning of pregnancy.

The time between conception and symptoms of pregnancy (cessation of menstruation and other symptions) is different for every woman. Some women don’t recognize any symptoms for months; others just *know* within a matter of days.

Women who are planning a pregnancy often arm themselves with home pregnancy tests in anticipation. Others, for whom a pregnancy is not planned, and may be unwanted, often refuse to acknowledge any changes taking place in their bodies. This is called "denial" and can result in emotional overload as a woman becomes overwhelmed with the impact of the pregnancy and the need to make life-changing decisions when she is well into the pregnancy and her hormone levels and body responses have changed considerably.

Pregnancy Trivia:

When does the unborn baby’s heart begin to beat?

The heartbeat begins between the eighteenth and twenty-fifth day.

When does the brain begin to function?

Electrical brain waves have been recorded as early as forty days.

How early can a baby survive outside the mother’s womb?

Currently, twenty weeks is considered the accepted minimum. However, this time will be reduced as medical technology continues to improve.

How long does pregnancy last?

In the human female, pregnancy generally lasts 9 months, and while that may seem long, just remember that an elephant’s pregnancy lasts 22 months. Of course, newborn elephants weigh considerably more than newborn babies, averaging between 220 and 300 pounds!