This month instead of my period I just a light brown watery discharge. Am I pregnant?

Pregnancy occurs when a mature egg is fertilized by sperm. This fertilized egg then implants itself on the uterus wall where it begins to develop gradually. Eventually, this egg will grow into a new born baby. This process takes about 9 months. For pregnancy to occur, the sperm needs to be present in the fallopian tubes as ovulation takes place. This allows the sperm access to a mature egg.

A light brown discharge is associated with dried blood. Blood tends to turn brown as it dries and oxidizes. This could indicate that there was some blood left over from the previous menstrual cycle or that the uterus wall was improperly shed. A woman who has such a discharge must visit her doctor immediately as it could be a sign of a more serious problem in the uterus. It is best to have a checkup because it would help to detect a problem early in the process and avoid complications later on in life for the woman.

One could check for pregnancy by using an at home pregnancy test. This type of test is easy to use and can be accessed easily at a nearby drug store. The test has a chemically treated strip which is designed to react to the Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG). When a woman is pregnant, the quantity of HCG in her urine will be highly concentrated. This creates a condition where the strip can react to the presence of HCG. Home pregnancy tests could be taken as early as a week after a missed period. In a normal-duration menstrual cycle, menstruation should occur 2 weeks after ovulation. If this does not happen, then there is a chance that, in the interim period, fertilization has occurred.

An early home pregnancy test may not deliver accurate results because it may not detect the increase in HCG as this increase takes a couple of weeks to be detectable by this at home pregnancy test method. Many women wonder when to test for pregnancy. Usually, 3 or 4 weeks after suspected fertilization, the signs of pregnancy will be completely clear. This is a good time to test for pregnancy. When an at home pregnancy test shows a positive result, the woman should visit a doctor for a confirmation. Laboratory tests are always more accurate than at home pregnancy tests. The confirmation in a laboratory is essential as medical care for the mother could then commence.

answered by G M

A woman gets pregnant usually after having unprotected sexual intercourse. Unprotected sex would indicate having sex without the use of a contraceptive, such as a condom. A pregnancy is caused when the male sperm is released into the vagina. This happens when the male ejaculates, while the penis is still inserted in the vagina, leading to the release of semen within it. Millions of sperm cells are present in the male sperm. When released into the vagina, these tiny cells then swim up the vagina, into the uterus to finally reach the fallopian tubes. Once they reach the fallopian tubes a singe sperm cell may then join with the female egg, which has been released from either one of her ovaries. If this act of conception, fertilization or joining is successful then the woman will become pregnant.

If the menstrual cycle that follows this act of unprotected sex is abnormal then it could be an indication of a pregnancy. You could either skip your period totally or they may mild bleeding or spotting that occurs at the time that your period is expected. You could also encounter something known as implantation spotting. This is a mild staining of brown or pink and is usually accompanied with some cramping. This happens on account of the egg burrowing within the endometrial lining. The possibility of getting pregnant from unprotected sex will vary from one woman to another. It will also, to a very large extent, depend on a woman's menstrual cycle. If you have sex during ovulation (the time the egg is released) the possibility of getting pregnant is the highest.
 
However irregular, abnormal or skipped periods can also happen due to excessive stress, such as worrying about a pregnancy. This can cause the stress hormones to go up, which in turn will affect the menstrual cycle. The first symptom of a pregnancy is generally the skipping of one’s period. Apart from this, other symptoms may include nausea, tender breasts and tiredness. However, not everyone may experience these symptoms. The most prudent thing to do would be to get a home pregnancy test to prevent any delay. These are easily available at a chemist’s store, grocery store or any other retail outlet. If you choose to go in for a home pregnancy test it is also important to get the results confirmed by a healthcare professional or your doctor. This is because the test may not always be accurate.

answered by G M