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Are you trying to get pregnant?
Are you avoiding pregnancy?
If so, understanding your menstrual cycle is very important.

Let’s break it down…

What is Menstruation?
What is Follicle Cycle?
What is Ovulation?

The menstrual cycle begins in puberty and is a natural process that affects every woman. Over the course of roughly 28 days, the menstrual cycle includes a period, the maturing of eggs, and ovulation. Your period begins your menstrual cycle. Day 1 of your period is considered day 1 of your menstrual cycle. The average length of a menstrual cycle is 28 days, but anywhere from 21 days to 35 days is considered normal. This cycle is divided into phases based on how your hormones change over the course of a month:

1. MENSTRUATION: is the shedding of the uterine lining. This is when you get your period and the bleeding begins. This can last anywhere from 3 to 7 days.

2. FOLLICLE CYCLE: you’re born with about a million eggs. Once you start menstruating, your body begins a process of maturing these eggs. Only a select few fully mature over your lifetime. During the follicular phase of your menstrual cycle, around 11 to 20 eggs begin developing, but only one matures completely (that is the dominate egg). A rise in estrogen stimulates your ovaries to release eggs. About 36 hours after the surge, the dominate egg is swept into the fallopian tube.

3. OVULATION: This is when the egg is released from the ovary – typically happens about 14 days before the first day of a woman’s next period. So, in a 28-day cycle. Ovulation may happen on cycle day 14. A rise in estrogen stimulates your ovaries to release eggs. About 36 hours after the surge, the dominate egg is swept into the fallopian tube. The egg survives in the fallopian tube for only about 12 to 24 hours. Sperm, however, can survive up to five days in your reproductive tract. In other words, if you ovulate on cycle day 15, it’s possible that sperm entering your body between cycle days 10 and 15 may reach your egg.

This all sounds complicated, doesn’t it…so, in summary, the best time to get pregnant or avoid pregnancy begins five days before ovulation until your ovulation date.

Did you just find out that your girlfriend is pregnant?
Are you scared and overwhelmed?
Will you step up and be involved in her choice?
Will you choose to become the man you were meant to be?
Will you be her and your child’s hero?
Your girlfriend is going through many emotions right now.
She may be afraid of telling her parents and loved ones in fear of letting them down.
She may be afraid that the relationship she hoped with you will change.
She may be afraid of how this new baby will change the plans she had for her life.
I was that young girl; I went six months without telling anyone I was pregnant except a close cousin. I was afraid of disappointing my parents, church family and of losing my boyfriend. When I did tell him, after my parents found out, he was understandably upset. After we talked and after some time, he became supportive of me and the pregnancy. This was a very hard time for us, but we made it work. Looking back and we made the right decision and our son is 50 years old now.
You may feel powerless in a culture that says, “It is her choice, not yours.” The truth is, any decision about the baby affects all of you.
Before you get too worried, make sure she is pregnant by getting it confirmed. We offer free and confidential pregnancy testing here at Care Net Pregnancy Center of Neosho. Feel free to contact us by phone at 417-455-0100 or text 417-456-9437 to schedule an appointment.
The very best plan means that before she decides, the two of you have decided together.

Can you relate…

Positive pregnancy test, oh no this isn’t what I planned on. Your heart starts pounding. You take another test. It’s another positive.
Immediately your thoughts start racing –

I’m too old to have another baby or I’m too young to have a baby.

I can’t afford to have a baby.

My parents are going to kill me.

I just started college
I’m still in high school
I don’t have my own place

So many fears…so many unknowns

Your logical thinking self is overwhelmed

You are going through a crisis and this wasn’t something you planned.

I just encourage you to take a couple of deep breaths.

Your situation isn’t hopeless. Sometimes it helps to talk to someone to help navigate through life’s challenges.

That why we are here…for you.

We offer peer counseling, community referrals, material assistance and even financial help thru a special program we offer.

This first step to take is reach out –
text – 417-456-9437
call – 417-455-0100

“I truly couldn’t have found a better more safe place to be”. – Cient review

You are braver than you think you are.

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