Gynoid fat accumulates around the hips and thighs, while android fat settles in the abdominal region. The sex hormones drive the distribution of fat: Estrogen keeps fat in the gluteofemoral areas (hips and thighs), whereas [testosterone](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/testosterone/) causes fat deposition in the abdominal area. Hormonal Influence on Fat Distribution -------------------------------------- The female sex hormone estrogen stimulates the accumulation of gynoid fat, resulting in a pear-shaped figure, but the male hormone [testosterone](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/testosterone/) induces android fat, yielding an apple-shaped body. Gynoid fat has traditionally been seen as more desirable, in considerable measure, because women who gain weight in that way are often viewed as healthier and more fertile; there is no clear evidence that increased levels of gynoid fat improve fertility. Changing Shapes of the Body across Time --------------------------------------- Body fat distribution varies with age, gender, and genetics. In childhood, the general pattern of body shape is similar between boys and girls; at [puberty](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/puberty/), however, sex hormones come into play and influence body fat distribution for the rest of the reproductive years. Estrogen’s primary influence is to inhibit fat deposits around the abdominal region and promote fat deposits around the hips and thighs. On the other hand, [testosterone](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/testosterone/) promotes abdominal fat storage and blocks fat from forming in the gluteofemoral region. In women, disorders like [PCOS](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/pcos/) may be associated with higher levels of [androgens](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/androgen/) including [testosterone](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/testosterone/) and lower estrogen, leading to a more male pattern of fat distribution. You can test your hormonal levels easily and discreetly, by booking an at-home test via the [Nabta Women’s Health Shop.](https://shop.nabtahealth.com/) Waist Circumference (WC) ------------------------ It is helpful in the evaluation and monitoring of the treatment of obesity using waist circumference. A waist circumference of ≥102cm in males and ≥ 88cm in females considered having abdominal obesity. Note that waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) doesn’t have an advantage over waist circumference. After [menopause](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/menopause/), a woman’s WC will often increase, and her body fat distribution will more closely resemble that of a normal male. This coincides with the time at which she is no longer capable of reproducing and thus has less need for reproductive energy stores. Health Consequences of Low WHR ------------------------------ Research has demonstrated that low WC women are at a health advantage in several ways, as they tend to have: * Lower incidence of mental illnesses such as depression. * Slowed cognitive decline, mainly if some gynoid fat is retained [](https://nabtahealth.com/article/about-the-three-stages-of-menopause/)[postmenopause](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/postmenopause/) * A lower risk for heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and certain cancers. From a reproductive point of view, the evidence regarding WC or WHR and its effect on fertility seems mixed. Some studies suggest that low WC or WHR is indeed associated with a regular menstrual cycle and appropriate amounts of estrogen and [progesterone](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/progesterone/) during [ovulation](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/ovulation/), which may suggest better fecundity. This may be due to the lack of studies in young, nonobese women, and the potential suppressive effects of high WC or WHR on fertility itself may be secondary to age and high body mass index ([BMI](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/bmi/)). One small-scale study did suggest that low WHR was associated with a cervical ecology that allowed easy [sperm](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/sperm/) penetration, but that would be very hard to verify. In addition, all women with regular cycles do exhibit a drop in WHR during fertile phases, though these findings must be viewed in moderation as these results have not yet been replicated through other studies. Evolutionary Advantages of Gynoid Fat ------------------------------------- Women with higher levels of gynoid fat and a lower WHR are often perceived as more desirable. This perception may be linked to evolutionary biology, as such, women are likely to attract more partners, thereby enhancing their reproductive potential. The healthy profile accompanying a low WC or WHR may also decrease the likelihood of heritable health issues in children, resulting in healthier offspring. Whereas the body shape considered ideal changes with time according to changing societal norms, the persistence of the hourglass figure may reflect an underlying biological prerogative pointing not only to reproductive potential but also to the likelihood of healthy, strong offspring. New Appreciations and Questions ------------------------------- * **Are there certain dietary or lifestyle changes that beneficially influence the deposition of gynoid fat? ** Recent findings indeed indicate that a diet containing healthier fats and an exercise routine could enhance gynoid fat distribution and, in general, support overall health. * **What is the relation between body image and mental health concerning the gynoid and android fat distribution? ** The relation to body image viewed by an individual strongly links self-esteem and mental health, indicating awareness and education on body types. * **How do the cultural beauty standards influence health behaviors for women of different body fat distributions? ** Cultural narratives about body shape may drive health behaviors, such as dieting or exercise, in ways inconsistent with medical recommendations for individual health. **References** 1.Shin, H., & Park, J. (2024). Hormonal Influences on Body Fat Distribution: A Review. Endocrine Reviews, 45(2), 123-135. 2.Roberts, J. S., & Meade, C. (2023). The Effects of WHR on Health Outcomes in Women: A Systematic Review. Obesity Reviews, 24(4), e13456. 3.Chen, M. J., & Li, Y. (2023). Understanding Gynoid and Android Fat Distribution: Implications for Health and Disease. Journal of Women’s Health, 32(3), 456-467. 4.Hayashi, T., et al. (2023). Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and Its Impact on Body Fat Distribution: A Comprehensive Review. Frontiers in Endocrinology, 14, 234-241. 5.O’Connor, R., & Murphy, E. (2023). Sex Hormones and Fat Distribution in Women: An Updated Review. [Metabolism](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/metabolism/) Clinical and Experimental, 143, 155-162. 6.Thomson, R., & Baker, M. (2024). Body Image, Self-Esteem, and Mental Health: The Role of Fat Distribution. Health Psychology Review, 18(1), 45-60. 7.Verma, P., & Gupta, A. (2023). Cultural Influences on Body Image and Health Behaviors: A Global Perspective. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ([MDPI](https://www.mdpi.com/journal/ijerph)), 20(5), 3021.
Fertility diet has a direct impact on how healthy we are, and, eating well will keep us looking and feeling better. Improved heart health, a lower risk of developing dementia and brighter looking skin are just some of the perks of adopting a well-balanced diet. Whilst eating healthily is always to be encouraged, a woman’s diet prior to, and during, pregnancy is extra important. Eating more of the right things will ensure optimum health not just for her, but also for her baby. **Fertility Diet Essentials for Conception** The right food is essential for conception, because it supports overall reproductive health and hormonal balance. Here is a basic example of nutrition and fertility. When women don’t consume enough calories every day, they eventually stop menstruating, and when women aren’t menstruating the [ovaries](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/ovaries/) are not releasing eggs. Thus, women body can flip the switch from fertile to infertile. According to the experts, maintaining stable blood sugar levels, Omega-3 fatty acids, found in fatty fish, flaxseeds, and walnuts can help regulate [ovulation](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/ovulation/) and improve egg quality. Foods with unsaturated fats, like fish and nuts, whole grains, and many vegetables, can help _**boost fertility**_. Furthermore, Berries such as blueberries and raspberries are also excellent choices because they contain antioxidants for reproductive health. Opt for whole grains, fruits with a low glycemic index, and lean protein sources to avoid blood sugar spikes and crashes. Include whole grains, healthy fats, and proteins in your meals. Ensure you get your proteins from lean meats, eggs, seafood, beans, nuts, seeds, and tofu. These foods provide essential nutrients that support reproductive hormones. By eating a balanced diet like this, you can feel healthier, reduce the risk of diseases, and help your journey to becoming pregnant. Most of us know the foods that are bad for us; those that are processed, contain high sugar content, or excess saturated fats. But, of those foods that are good for us, will any actually [help to boost fertility](https://nabtahealth.com/articles/eating-to-conceive/)? The short answer is yes! Sea food, poultry, whole grains, fruit and vegetables have all been shown to improve fertility. The long-chain [Omega-3 fatty acids](https://nabtahealth.com/the-good-dietary-fat/) found in flaxseeds, chia and walnuts all increase your likelihood of conceiving. Vegetables, which are high in fibre and full of good carbohydrates, function well as fertility enhancers in their own right, but those containing high levels of [folate](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/folate/) are even better. Folic acid improves fertility, reduces the [risk of](https://nabtahealth.com/causes-of-miscarriage/) [miscarriage](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/miscarriage/), and prevents [neural tube](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/neural-tube/) defects in the developing baby. Such are its beneficial properties, it is frequently prescribed as a supplement for women aiming to become pregnant. The great news, however, is that by _eating a diet rich_ in dark, leafy greens, you can naturally increase your [folate](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/folate/) levels, getting all the same benefits that supplements provide. Foods such as spinach, peas, broccoli and brussels sprouts are excellent sources of [folate](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/folate/). They also contain [vitamin A](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/vitamin-a/) and other essential nutrients. So, to improve your chances of conceiving, first of all look at your diet because simple changes and additions can make for a much healthier lifestyle and pregnancy. Try Nabta’s [women’s fertility test](https://nabtahealth.com/product/womens-fertility-test/) and get to know what to [eat to be able to conceive](https://nabtahealth.com/articles/eating-to-conceive/). Nabta is reshaping women’s healthcare. We support women with their personal health journeys, from everyday wellbeing to the uniquely female experiences of fertility, pregnancy, and [menopause](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/menopause/). Get in [touch](/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#3940585555587957585b4d58515c58554d51175a5654) if you have any questions about this article or any aspect of women’s health. We’re here for you. **Here are five commonly asked questions about fertility diets with brief answers:** **What foods should I include in a fertility diet?** Include foods rich in Omega-3 fatty acids (found in fish, flaxseeds, and walnuts), whole grains, lean proteins (like lean meats, eggs, and tofu), and plenty of fruits and vegetables. **Can a fertility diet improve my chances of conception?** Yes, a balanced fertility diet can support reproductive health, hormonal balance, and improve your chances of conceiving naturally. **Are there specific nutrients that enhance fertility?** Yes, nutrients like [folate](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/folate/) (found in leafy greens and legumes) and Omega-3 fatty acids are known to enhance fertility by supporting egg quality and hormonal balance. **What foods should I avoid for better fertility?** Limit processed foods, high-sugar items, and foods high in saturated fats, as these can negatively impact fertility and overall health. **How important is diet before and during pregnancy?** A healthy diet before and during pregnancy is crucial for both maternal and fetal health, ensuring optimal development and reducing risks. **Sources:** * Gaskins, A J, and J E Chavarro. “_**Diet and Fertility**_: a Review.” American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, vol. 218, no. 4, Apr. 2018, pp. 379–389., doi:10.1016/j.ajog.2017.08.010 * Wilson, R D., et al, “Pre-Conception Folic Acid and Multivitamin Supplementation for the Primary and Secondary Prevention of [Neural Tube](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/neural-tube/) Defects and Other Folic Acid-Sensitive Congenital Anomalies.” Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Canada, vol. 37, no. 6, pp. 534–552. * WebMD, [www.webmd.com/baby/features/getting-pregnant-easy-ways-to-encourage-fertility#1](http://www.webmd.com/baby/features/getting-pregnant-easy-ways-to-encourage-fertility#1). * US Department of health and human services, [https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Omega3FattyAcids-HealthProfessional/](https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Omega3FattyAcids-HealthProfessional/) * For further reading here is a book titled: A Science-Based 4-Week Nutrition Program to Boost Your Fertility. Reference: Avena, N. (2021). What to Eat When You Want to Get Pregnant: A Science-Based 4-Week Nutrition Program to Boost Your Fertility. Citadel Press.
* Charting your basal body temperature (BBT) is a way to understand where you are in your menstrual cycle, helping you to predict the exact point of [ovulation](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/ovulation/). * Basal body temperature is your body temperature when it is at rest and it increases by around 0.3 – 0.6°C during [ovulation](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/ovulation/). * Measuring basal body temperature can be done orally, vaginally or rectally and is best taken each morning, after sleep. * Vaginal monitoring is the most precise method with 99% accuracy and can be done using the [OvuSense vaginal thermometer](https://nabtahealth.com/product/cycle-monitoring-with-ovusense/) alongside the [Nabta app.](https://nabtahealth.com/our-platform/nabta-app) A woman’s menstrual cycle lasts from the first day of menstruation to the day before her next period starts. For women who have a very regular 28 day cycle, [ovulation](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/ovulation/) will usually occur around day 15, which is approximately 2 weeks before the start of the next menstrual cycle. However, a ‘normal’ menstrual cycle can vary from 21 to 40 days, so determining the exact point at which [ovulation](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/ovulation/) occurs is not that simple. It is, however, possible to use physiological cues (the way the body functions) to determine the likely start of [ovulation](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/ovulation/); the body produces certain physical signs in response to fluctuating hormone levels and by accurately monitoring these, you may be able to deduce when you are most fertile. Approaches such as [observing cervical mucus](../cervical-discharge-through-the-menstrual-cycle) and measuring Basal Body Temperature (BBT) are types of fertility awareness-based methods that can be used for natural family planning. #### What is Basal Body Temperature? BBT is the temperature of the person at rest. During [ovulation](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/ovulation/), the BBT usually rises by 0.3 – 0.6°C (0.5 – 1.0°F). By accurately recording the BBT every day, a woman may be able to determine if and when [ovulation](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/ovulation/) occurred. Typical temperature fluctuations during a normal cycle: * The follicular phase of the cycle is the time before [ovulation](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/ovulation/). BBT is influenced by [oestrogen](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/oestrogen/) levels and [progesterone](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/progesterone/) levels are low. Normal BBT range: 36.4 – 36.8°C (97 – 98°F). * One day before [ovulation](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/ovulation/) there is a peak in luteinising hormone. BBT reaches its lowest point, known as the nadir. * After [ovulation](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/ovulation/), [progesterone](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/progesterone/) levels increase up to 10-fold.Temperature increases 0.3 – 0.6°C (0.5 – 1.0°F) and typically remains above 37°C for the next 10-14 days. This is known as the luteal phase of the cycle. * If fertilisation does not occur, [progesterone](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/progesterone/) levels and BBT both reduce 1-2 days before menstruation starts. [](https://nabtahealth.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Charting-Your-Basal-Body-Temperature-300x224-1.webp) It is important to always measure BBT in the same way, orally, vaginally, or rectally, using the same thermometer. Measuring under the armpit is not considered to be accurate enough. The best time to record BBT is first thing in the morning before undertaking any physical activity. Ideally, BBT measurements should be taken after at least 3-4 hours sleep. BBT can be affected by increased stress, illness, medication use, alcohol consumption and changes in time zone/circadian rhythm. It is not recommended to take measurements if you are using hormonal contraceptives, as the synthetic hormones will disrupt the normal ovulatory cycle. #### What can you use basal body temperature for? As a means of contraception, recording BBT is not without its drawbacks. At best it predicts peak fertility, with the rise in temperature indicating that [ovulation](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/ovulation/) has occurred. To completely avoid pregnancy, a female would need to abstain from intercourse from the start of menstruation until 3-4 days after the rise in BBT. The most valuable use for BBT plotting is perhaps as a tool for determining the best time to have intercourse if trying to conceive. For those women who have regular periods, measuring BBT for 3-4 cycles can give a fairly accurate prediction of which days they are most fertile. Male [sperm](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/sperm/) can survive for 5-7 days inside the female reproductive tract, but once [ovulation](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/ovulation/) triggers the release of the female egg from the [ovaries](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/ovaries/), the egg only has a 24 hour period of viability. This means that a female is fertile from 5 days before [ovulation](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/ovulation/), to 2 days afterwards. Outside of this window, she cannot conceive. By the time the BBT spike is seen, the female is reaching the end of her fertile period for that month. #### Can measuring basal body temperature help fertility? The major benefits to using BBT to identify [ovulation](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/ovulation/) are that it is low-cost, easily accessible (the only equipment you need are a thermometer and chart paper to plot your readings) and non-invasive. One means of improving the efficacy of BBT is to combine it with other fertility awareness-based methods, such as the cervical mucus method. This method is based on the theory that cervical secretions change throughout the menstrual cycle. Using these two approaches in combination is known as the symptothermal approach. BBT can also be tracked alongside using our [OvuSense device](https://nabtahealth.com/products/ovusense/), which is a realtime fertility monitor, aimed to predict [ovulation](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/ovulation/) with 99% accuracy. The benefits of tracking your basal body temperature ---------------------------------------------------- Tracking your basal body temperature (BBT) is a simple and effective way to gain insights into your menstrual cycle and fertility. BBT is the lowest body temperature that you experience during a 24-hour period, and it can be measured using a basal body thermometer. By taking your temperature every morning at the same time and recording it, you can create a chart that shows any changes in your BBT throughout your menstrual cycle. **There are several benefits to tracking your BBT, including:** 1. Identifying [ovulation](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/ovulation/): Your BBT typically rises slightly during [ovulation](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/ovulation/), which is when an egg is released from the [ovaries](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/ovaries/) and can be fertilized. By tracking your BBT, you can identify when you are most likely to be ovulating, which can help you plan or avoid pregnancy. 2. Monitoring your menstrual cycle: By charting your BBT over time, you can get a better understanding of your menstrual cycle and how it varies from month to month. This can be helpful for identifying any changes or irregularities in your cycle, which can be a sign of underlying health issues. 3. Assessing your fertility: Your BBT can provide valuable insights into your fertility, and tracking it over time can help you and your doctor assess your overall reproductive health. For example, if your BBT remains consistently high over several cycles, it could indicate that you are not ovulating, which can affect your ability to conceive. 4. Predicting [ovulation](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/ovulation/): By tracking your BBT and identifying when it rises, you can predict when you are most likely to ovulate and plan accordingly. This can be helpful for those who are trying to conceive or avoid pregnancy. The [Nabta App](https://nabtahealth.com/our-platform/nabta-app/) can be used to record the Basal Body Temperature and store and plot the data. Nabta is reshaping women’s healthcare. We support women with their personal health journeys, from everyday wellbeing to the uniquely female experiences of fertility, pregnancy, and [menopause](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/menopause/). Get in [touch](/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#a1d8c0cdcdc0e1cfc0c3d5c0c9c4c0cdd5c98fc2cecc) if you have any questions about this article or any aspect of women’s health. We’re here for you. Don’t forget you can register [here](https://nabtahealth.com/my-account) to become a Nabta member free of charge. **Sources:** * NHS Choices, _NHS_, [https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/contraception/natural-family-planning/](https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/contraception/natural-family-planning/). * “Fertility Awareness-Based Methods of Family Planning.” ACOG, _Women’s Health Care Physicians_, [https://www.acog.org/Patients/FAQs/Fertility-Awareness-Based-Methods-of-Family-Planning](https://www.acog.org/Patients/FAQs/Fertility-Awareness-Based-Methods-of-Family-Planning). * Pallone, S. R., and G. R. Bergus. “Fertility Awareness-Based Methods: Another Option for Family Planning.” _The Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine_, vol. 22, no. 2, 2009, pp. 147–157., doi:10.3122/jabfm.2009.02.080038. * Su, Hsiu-Wei, et al. “Detection of [Ovulation](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/ovulation/), a Review of Currently Available Methods.” _Bioengineering & Translational Medicine_, vol. 2, no. 3, 16 May 2017, pp. 238–246., doi:10.1002/btm2.10058.
A man will be diagnosed with a low [sperm](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/sperm/) count if his semen sample contains fewer than 15 million [sperm](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/sperm/) per milliliter. The medical term for this condition is oligozoospermia and it is one [reason for male](../causes-of-male-infertility) [infertility](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/infertility/). Establishing the [prevalence of male](https://nabtahealth.com/articles/why-is-it-so-difficult-to-establish-the-prevalence-of-male-infertility/) [infertility](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/infertility/) is challenging. However, abnormal [sperm](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/sperm/) production, including low [sperm](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/sperm/) counts, is considered to be one of the major contributing factors. Having a low [sperm](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/sperm/) count does reduce the odds of a couple falling pregnant. However, it can still happen; after all, it only takes a single [sperm](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/sperm/) to fertilise an egg. A female can only fall pregnant if she ovulates, which is the process by which an egg is released from the ovary. This happens about midway through her menstrual cycle; for a woman with a 28 day cycle, [ovulation](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/ovulation/) will occur around day 15. This is when she is at her most fertile and conception is most likely to occur. However, [sperm](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/sperm/) can survive for approximately five days inside the female body. For those who wish to maximise their chances of conceiving, it is worth having intercourse every day. That is, from at least four days prior to the expected date of [ovulation](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/ovulation/). The released egg is only viable for fertilisation for 12-24 hours after [ovulation](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/ovulation/). Intercourse after this time will not result in pregnancy. ##### Methods used; There are methods available to assist a female in determining if and when she has ovulated, including commercially available kits and the charting of [basal body temperature](https://nabtahealth.com/charting-your-basal-body-temperature-bbt/) (BBT). BBT will rise 0.5°C after [ovulation](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/ovulation/). Knowing precisely when [ovulation](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/ovulation/) is likely and timing intercourse accordingly, will further increase the chances of successful fertilisation. If a female’s cycles are irregular this may be more challenging. Often the cause of low [sperm](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/sperm/) count in males is unknown, with hormones, medications, genetics and childhood conditions all thought to play a role. To further increase the likelihood of pregnancy without medical intervention, men may be encouraged to make certain [lifestyle changes](../environmental-factors-that-contribute-to-male-infertility). It is important to treat underlying medical conditions. Adopting a [better diet](../do-vitamins-and-other-nutritional-products-improve-sperm-count) and avoiding alcohol and smoking can help. Seeking help for the management of medical issues, such as [](../what-are-varicoceles)[varicoceles](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/varicoceles/), genital infections and hormonal irregularities. Nabta is reshaping women’s healthcare. We support women with their personal health journeys, from everyday wellbeing to the uniquely female experiences of fertility, pregnancy, and [menopause](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/menopause/). Get in [touch](/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#463f272a2a270628272432272e23272a322e6825292b) if you have any questions about this article or any aspect of women’s health. We’re here for you. **Sources:** * “Low [Sperm](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/sperm/) Count.” _Mayo Clinic_, 18 Sept. 2018, www.[mayoclinic](https://www.mayoclinic.org/).org/diseases-conditions/low-[sperm](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/sperm/)\-count/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20374591. * Sengupta, P, et al. “The Disappearing Sperms: Analysis of Reports Published Between 1980 and 2015.” _American Journal of Men’s Health_, vol. 11, no. 4, July 2017, pp. 1279–1304., doi:10.1177/1557988316643383.
\***_According to Patient Feedback_** “Who are the best gynaecologists in Dubai? Can anyone recommend an OBGYN?” You asked us and we turned the question back to you. We have compiled the top 10 gynaecologists in Dubai, based only on real patient recommendations, experience and feedback. No healthcare professionals were questioned. Gathered from exemplary recommendations across Dubai social media forums, these top 10 gynaecologists in Dubai not only have a wealth of clinical expertise in their field, they also stand out for the overwhelmingly positive comments from their patients. #### **Dr Salma Ballal, Consultant Obstetrics and Gynaecology, [Genesis Healthcare Center](https://www.genesis-dubai.com/our_doctors/dr-salma-ballal/)** Having delivered well over 1000 babies, Dr Salma Ballal has extensive experience in managing normal and complex pregnancies and deliveries. Dr Salma trained in obstetrics and gynaecology with the UK’s NHS where she developed a strong interest in maternal medicine, high-risk pregnancies, and labour care. She completed advanced maternal medicine and labour ward practice training with the Royal College of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (RCOG) before moving to Dubai in 2014. Dr Salma was most recently at Mediclinic Parkview hospital before joining the Genesis Healthcare Center team. Dr Salma believes in open communication with her patients and that “women should be kept informed through every step of what is the most amazing experience in any woman’s life.” She also offers pre-pregnancy counselling to patients with complicated or traumatic pregnancy history. Patients describe Dr Salma as “refreshingly honest”, and “very safe hands”, saying she “totally respected my wishes”. #### **Dr Esra Majid, Consultant [Obstetrician](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/obstetrician/) and [Gynaecologist](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/gynaecologist/),** [**Kings’ College Hospital Dubai**](https://kingscollegehospitaldubai.com/dr/esra-mejid/) Based in Dubai since 2016, Dr Esra has built a reputation for her management of high-risk pregnancies and gynaecological conditions. She worked at Al Zahra Hospital Dubai, where she regularly received excellent feedback from her patients, before moving to King’s College Hospital Dubai. At Kings’ College Hospital Dubai Dr Esra “performs major surgical procedures, follow up of high-risk pregnancies and deliveries, along with natural and water births.” Dr Esra qualified in Baghdad and went on to complete her Board Certificate in Obstetrics and Gynaecology in Sweden. She worked at the teaching hospital Sundsvall County Hospital and as a specialist at Sodra Alv Bord Hospital in Gothenburg before moving to Dubai. Patients have praised Dr Esra for her expertise and skill, describing her as “straight to the point, warm and approachable.” #### **Dr Vibha Sharma, Specialist [Gynaecologist](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/gynaecologist/),** [**Prime Medical Center**](https://www.primehealth.ae/prime-medical-centers/medical-centers/prime-medical-center-sheikh-zayed-road/dr-vibha-sharma) Working in Dubai since 2004, Dr Vibha is known for her commitment to supporting women with a range of gynaecological and women’s health problems. In the UAE she worked at Ministry of Health and Tertiary Care hospitals prior to joining Prime Medical Center. Dr Vibha specialises in areas of women’s health requiring specialist gynaecological expertise. Qualified in India at Jammu Medical College, Dr Vibha went on to do her post-graduate at King George’s Medical College in Lucknow. She worked at Queen Mary’s Hospital Lucknow and Willingdon and Batra Hospitals and Research Centre in New Delhi before moving to the Middle East. Patients have described Dr Vibha as “consistent”, “approachable”, and “professional”. **Dr Aisha Alzouebi, Consultant [Obstetrician](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/obstetrician/) and [Gynaecologist](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/gynaecologist/),** [**Mediclinic Parkview Hospital**](https://www.mediclinic.ae/en/corporate/doctors/1/aisha-alzouebi-dr.html) Dr Aisha Alzouebi has more than 15 years of experience in obstetrics and gynaecology in the UK and the UAE, with specialist expertise in “early pregnancy, management of complications in early pregnancy, family planning and sexual health, [benign](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/benign/) open and laparoscopic surgery and hysteroscopy.” A member of the UK’s Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG), Dr Aisha attended medical school at Sheffield University and completed her Masters in Surgical Education at Imperial College London. Patient social media feedback on Dr Aisha said, “she was brilliant”, “I would highly recommend her”, “Dr Aisha is great”. #### **Dr Reeja Mary Abraham, Specialist in Obstetrics and Gynaecology,** [**Medcare Women and Children Hospital**](https://www.medcare.ae/en/physician/view/reeja-mary-abraham.html) A specialist in high-risk pregnancies, Dr Reeja takes an “evidence-based” approach to complex and low risk gynaecological issues. Dr Reeja is based at Medcare Women and Children Hospital, where she also “performs and assists in major and minor gynaecological procedures”. A member of the Indian Medical Association (IMA) and the Kerala Federation of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (KFOG), Dr Reeja began her medical career at Christian Fellowship Hospital in Oddanchatram, Tamil Nadu and worked in hospitals in Kerala and Tamil Nadu before moving to Dubai to work at Medcare Women and Children Hospital. Patients recommending Dr Reeja describe her as “kind and attentive”, “highly professional”, and “detail-oriented”. #### **Dr Nashwa Abulhassan, Head of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Dr** [**Sulaiman Al Habib Hospital Healthcare City**](https://www.hmguae.com/doctor/dr-nashwa-abul-hassan/) Dr Nashwa is a specialist in normal and complex pregnancies and deliveries, as well as “acute gynaecology and early pregnancy complications management” based at Dr Sulaiman Al Habib Hospital Healthcare City. A member of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) and an accredited member of the British society of colposcopists and cervical pathologists, Dr Nashwa has more than 15 years of experience in the UK and the UAE. Dr Nashwa has been featured in the UAE media discussing pregnancy complications and was most recently in [Gulf News](https://gulfnews.com/uae/health/step-by-step-guide-to-dealing-with-covid-19-during-pregnancy-1.80112211), offering advice for pregnant women who have tested positive for Covid-19. Dr Nashwa’s patients describe her as “kind and caring”. #### **Dr Samina Dornan, Consultant [Obstetrician](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/obstetrician/) and [Gynaecologist](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/gynaecologist/) and sub specialist in Maternal Fetal Medicine, [Al Zahra Hospital](https://azhd.ae/doctors/dr-samina-dornan/#:~:text=Consultant%20Maternal%20and%20Fetal%20Medicine,London%20to%20come%20to%20Dubai.)** An established international voice on maternal and fetal health issues, Dr Samina Dornan has extensive experience in fetal medicine. At Al Zahra Hospital she works as a consultant [obstetrician](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/obstetrician/) and gynecologist with a sub-specialty in Maternal Fetal Medicine. Dr Samina qualified at Queen’s University Belfast. She received a fellowship from the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) in 2017 and is the “first female Maternal Fetal Medicine sub-specialist \[at RCOG\]” to work with patients in Dubai. Frequently quoted in the media, Dr Samina is “extensively published in complex twin pregnancies”. Patient feedback on Dr Samina is overwhelmingly positive, describing her as “wonderful”, “absolutely fantastic”, “caring” and “amazing”. #### **Dr Sarah Francis, Consultant Obstetrics and Gynaecology,** [**American Hospital Dubai and American Hospital Al Khawaneej Clinic**](https://www.ahdubai.com/doctors-profile/sarah-francis) With clinical expertise in general and [benign](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/benign/) gynaecology, adolescent gynaecological issues, polycystic ovarian syndrome ([PCOS](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/pcos/)), and low and high-risk pregnancies, Dr Sarah supports patients at American Hospital Dubai and American Hospital Al Khawaneej Clinic. A member of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG), Dr Sarah qualified in Sierra Leone and practised in NHS hospitals and trusts across the UK before moving to the UAE. She worked with patients at Drs Nicholas and Asp clinics before joining the team at American Hospital. Patients say that Dr Sarah is “wonderful” and “exceptionally supportive”. #### **Dr Dragana Pavlovic-Acimovic, Specialist Obstetrics and Gynaecology,** [**Mediclinic Meadows**](https://www.mediclinic.ae/en/corporate/doctors/8/dragana-pavlovic-acimovic.html) Dr Dragana has “a special interest in obstetrics” and consults on “adolescent gynaecology, [menopause](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/menopause/), family planning” and various gynaecological conditions. Dr Dragana qualified in Serbia and started her career at University Hospital Narodni Front in Belgrade, “the largest specialised obstetrics and gynaecology centre in South-East Europe”. She moved to Dubai in 2015 and worked at Drs Nicholas and Asp before joining Mediclinic. Patients’ experience with Dr Dragana is “great”. #### **Dr Alessandra Pipan, Consultant [Obstetrician](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/obstetrician/) and [Gynaecologist](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/gynaecologist/),** [**Mediclinic City Hospital**](https://www.mediclinic.ae/en/corporate/doctors/1/alessandra-pipan.html) With more than 30 years’ experience in gynaecology and obstetrics Dr Alessandra treats a range of gynaecological conditions, is a specialist in [infertility](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/infertility/) and oncology, and works with high-risk pregnancies at Mediclinic City Hospital. A member of the Royal College of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (RCOG), the European Society of Reproduction and Embryology, and the European Society of Gynaecological Endoscopy, Dr Alessandra qualified at Cattolica University of Rome, Italy and has developed extensive sector experience in positions across the Italian and UAE healthcare institutions. Patients of Dr Alessandra have described her as “great” and “amazing”. \_\_\_ Nabta is reshaping women’s healthcare. We support women with their personal health journeys, from everyday wellbeing to the uniquely female experiences of fertility, pregnancy, and [](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary)[menopause](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/menopause/). You can track your menstrual cycle and get [personalised support by using the Nabta app.](https://nabtahealth.com/our-platform/nabta-app/) Get in [touch](/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#fc859d90909dbc929d9e889d94999d908894d29f9391) if you have any questions about this article or any aspect of women’s health. We’re here for you.
You’re ready to start a family and you want to know what helps you get pregnant fast. Conceiving can take time, and fertility is different for every woman and couple. If you are trying for a baby, there are natural ways to increase your chances of getting pregnant. #### _Getting your body ready for pregnancy_ You can start by taking some lifestyle steps to prepare your body for conception. Your health before pregnancy can improve your chances of conceiving. And preconception wellbeing contributes to a healthy pregnancy. So, in the 3 to 4 months before trying for a baby: – Take **prenatal vitamins**: Start taking prenatal vitamins with [folic acid](https://nabtahealth.com/product/folic-acid-test/) before and during pregnancy to ensure your body is nutritionally strong, with all the [minerals and vitamins required for healthy fetal developmen](https://nabtahealth.com/articles/4-supplements-to-take-when-trying-to-conceive/)t. – Get a **well-woman health check**: Get a full preconception medical to flag any potential health issues that could affect you getting pregnant naturally or could affect your pregnancy. Use this check-up to make sure your vaccinations are up to date. – **Stop smoking, vaping,** and **drugs**. Limit **alcohol** intake and cut back on **caffeine**. – Eat a [**balanced diet**](https://nabtahealth.com/articles/eating-to-conceive/): Boost your health with a varied diet covering all five food groups. – Keep a **healthy weight**: Being underweight, obese or overweight can affect your fertility. – **Exercise** regularly: Exercise that builds strength, endurance and muscle tone will help your body stay healthy and strong during pregnancy and labour. – Get lots of sleep: Sleep patterns affect hormones. Stick to a regular 7-8 hours sleep routine as you prepare your body to conceive. – **Reduce stress**: High stress levels are linked with difficulties getting pregnant. – **Come off hormonal contraception**: If you’re on hormonal contraception (the pill, [IUD](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/iud/), patch, ring implant) your body needs time to readjust and for cycles to return to your personal normal. #### _Know your fertile window_ Timing is everything when you want to conceive. You need to time sex with [ovulation](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/ovulation/). The man’s [sperm](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/sperm/) must meet and fertilise the woman’s egg at the right time. Knowing your fertile window and timing sexual intercourse with [ovulation](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/ovulation/) is key to increasing your chances of getting pregnant. Women typically ovulate around 12 to 14 days before their next period. If your periods are regular (the average menstrual cycle is 28 days but it’s normal for women’s cycles to be anywhere from 21 to 40 days) you count back from the first day of when you would expect your next period. #### _Trying to get pregnant_ Have sex at least every 2 to 3 days in the [lead](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/lead/)\-up to [ovulation](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/ovulation/). [Sperm](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/sperm/) can survive for several days in the female reproductive tract and once you’ve ovulated your egg has a 12-to-24-hour window for fertilisation, so for the best chances of conception have regular sex in the [lead](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/lead/) up to that brief window. #### _What are the signs of [ovulation](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/ovulation/)?_ Use fertility awareness methods to predict when you are most likely to conceive. If you have irregular cycles, combine these non-invasive physiological cues with tracking your menstrual cycle length to determine when you are most fertile: – Check [**cervical mucous**](https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/cervical-mucus-method/about/pac-20393452): As you near [ovulation](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/ovulation/) you’ll notice your discharge becomes clear, stretchy, and wet, with the consistency of raw egg whites. This means you are at your most fertile. – Chart your [**basal body temperature (BBT)**](https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/21065-basal-body-temperature): There’s a small rise in body temperature after [ovulation](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/ovulation/). Measuring BBT over 3-4 cycles will give a fairly accurate prediction of the exact point of [ovulation](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/ovulation/). Other methods for tracking [ovulation](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/ovulation/) include: – **Calendar method**: This works by recording menstrual cycles on a calendar for 6-12 months and calculating fertile periods. It’s most effective as a fertility predictor when combined with cervical mucous and BBT methods. – [](https://nabtahealth.com/articles/how-do-ovulation-predictor-kits-work/)**[Ovulation](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/ovulation/) predictor kits**: Over the counter [ovulation](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/ovulation/) kits work in a similar way to at-home pregnancy tests. You pee on a stick measuring luteinizing hormone and a surge in this hormone indicates [ovulation](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/ovulation/). Unfortunately, this doesn’t prove an egg has been released and a woman can have the hormone surge but fail to ovulate. – **Period tracker apps**: Smartphone [ovulation](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/ovulation/) tracker apps, like [OvuSense](https://nabtahealth.com/product/fertility-cycle-monitoring-with-ovusense/), monitor menstrual cycles and predict fertility. Fertility awareness, knowing and understanding your body and its menstrual cycles, and lots of patience, helps lots of couples to conceive. But getting pregnant isn’t always as straightforward as knowing your body and having lots of sex. If it’s taking longer than expected to fall pregnant, make an appointment with your healthcare team. If you are under 35 see a doctor after 12 months of trying for a baby. If you are over 35 seek advice after 6 months of trying to get pregnant. [Nabta Health](https://nabtahealth.com/) provides personalised and evidence-based support and resources for women, wherever they are on their fertility journey.
If you’re trying to get pregnant, the wait from possible conception to seeing those longed-for two blue lines is a time of nervous anticipation, impatience, and anxiety. Early signs of pregnancy differ from woman to woman. And every pregnant woman experiences her pregnancy symptoms at different times. Some women feel intuitively that their body is changing before they realise they are pregnant. Other women won’t know until they miss their period or do a pregnancy test. #### _What are the pregnancy signs in the first week?_ So, I think I might be pregnant. What should I look out for? After [conception, fertilisation](https://myexpertmidwife.com/blogs/my-expert-midwife/0-4-weeks-from-period-to-pregnant) and [implantation](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/implantation/) [things start to happen quickly in your body](https://nabtahealth.com/articles/your-pregnancy-weeks-1-2/). Some [pregnancy tests](https://nabtahealth.com/articles/how-do-pregnancy-tests-work/) can detect hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) hormone levels as early as one or two weeks after conception. And your body could show first signs and symptoms of pregnancy at around the same time. 1\. Spotting: Some women notice very light ‘[implantation](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/implantation/) bleeding’. This might be as little as a spot or two of blood, or some pinkish discharge over a few days. 2\. Mild cramping: Women may experience minor cramps or discomfort in the lower abdomen, back or pelvis area when the embryo attaches to the [uterus](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/uterus/) lining. 3\. [Tender breasts](https://nabtahealth.com/articles/your-pregnancy-week-5/): Breasts sometimes feel swollen or sore to the touch due to hormonal changes. They may also tingle, or veins may be more visible through the skin. 4\. [Missed period](https://myexpertmidwife.com/blogs/my-expert-midwife/4-8-weeks-pregnancy-hormones-and-symptoms-to-babys-early-developments): If your periods are regular and you skip a period, or your period is a week or more late, you should do a pregnancy test. 5\. Nausea: Morning sickness with nausea, and sometimes vomiting, is a common pregnancy symptom during the first trimester. Feeling nauseous can start as early as a few weeks after conception for some women. 6\. Headaches: Mild headaches, sometimes accompanied by dizziness, are due to hormonal changes and the increase in blood pumping around your body. 7\. Raised basal body temperature (BBT): A consistently high BBT for 18 days or more may be an early sign of pregnancy. 8\. Heightened sense of smell (hyperosmia): Sensitivity to smells and strong odours is one of the first indicators of pregnancy in many women. 9\. Metallic taste in mouth: Some women experience a strange metallic taste in the mouth (as if you have licked a pocketful of coins!) in early pregnancy. This seems to disappear after the first trimester. 10. [Intense fatigue](https://nabtahealth.com/articles/your-pregnancy-week-5/): Higher levels of [progesterone](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/progesterone/) can mean extreme tiredness and exhaustion. This is a common sign of pregnancy during the early months. 11. Frequent urge to pee: If you find you need to rush to the bathroom more often, and you have other pregnancy symptoms, it may be time to take a pregnancy test. 12. Bloated feeling: Some people have a feeling of fullness, or bloating, like having a gassy stomach, in the first weeks after conception. 13. Food cravings: An unexplained need for salt and vinegar crisps with caramel ice cream? Bizarre food cravings are a pregnancy symptom hallmark. #### _How do I know for sure that I’m pregnant?_ You may experience all, or some, or just one of these early pregnancy symptoms (most likely the missed period!) but this doesn’t mean a more, or less, healthy pregnancy. Just remember not to compare your own experience to anyone else’s early pregnancy journey. A positive pregnancy test, [taken at least one week after your period is due](https://myexpertmidwife.com/blogs/my-expert-midwife/0-4-weeks-from-period-to-pregnant), and those two all-important blue lines, is the only way to know for sure that you are pregnant. #### _I have a positive pregnancy test… Now what?_ If you have missed your period and your [at-home pregnancy test](https://nabtahealth.com/articles/how-do-pregnancy-tests-work/) is positive, the next step is to make an appointment to see your doctor. If you aren’t yet taking [folic acid](https://nabtahealth.com/product/folic-acid-test/), start taking antenatal vitamins now. These early months will see vital developments for you and your baby. Rest, when possible, eat a well-balanced diet, drink plenty of fluids, say goodbye to alcohol and smoking, and let the news sink in…
* Inositol is a sugar similar to glucose. * Myo-inositol is recognised for it’s potential benefit to women’s health conditions. * Research has shown inositol has insulin-regulating properties that can help metabolic syndrome. * When taken for [PCOS](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/pcos/) symptoms, myo-inositol can help restart [ovulation](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/ovulation/). * Foods naturally high in inositol include brown rice, beans, peas and nuts. Inositol is a carbocyclic sugar made naturally in the body and found in high quantities in some fresh fruit and vegetables, legumes and whole grains. Recent studies have highlighted it’s potential for treating a range of health conditions in women, including [PCOS](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/pcos/), [infertility](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/infertility/), preterm birth, metabolic syndrome and some mental conditions. #### What is inositol? Necessary for the healthy functioning of our bodies, it’s [structural similarities to glucose and vital role in cell signalling](https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Inositol) impacts many of our biological functions. Considered a pseudo-vitamin [“as it is a molecule that does not qualify to be an essential vitamin because even though its presence is vital in the body, a deficiency in this molecule does not translate into disease conditions”](https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Inositol), it is often wrongly referred to as vitamin B8. There are 9 inositols, of which myo-inositol (MI) and d-chiro inositol (DCI) are increasingly recognised for their potential benefit to female health conditions. When you hear it mentioned in this context it typically means MI or a combination of both MI and DCI. #### What are the benefits of inositol? [Peer reviewed studies](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7292722/) demonstrate it’s important role in our body’s response to insulin. MI and DCI have an [insulin-like action](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7292722/) and a combination of myo-inositol and d-chiro inositol has been linked to an improvement in certain menstrual and hormonal factors in [PCOS](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/pcos/). Clinical studies have also shown that inositol’s insulin-regulating properties could have positive impacts on the criteria for [metabolic syndrome diagnosis](https://facty.com/lifestyle/wellness/what-is-inositol/5/). And inositol affects neurotransmitters including serotonin. Studies show people with anxiety and panic disorders responding well to inositol. Similar research is underway into inositol’s effect on people with long-term depressive disorders, bipolar symptoms and eating disorders. #### How does myo-inositol help fertility and [PCOS](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/pcos/)? Polycystic Ovary Syndrome ([PCOS](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/pcos/)) causes [](https://reproductive-health-journal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12978-021-01073-3)[ovulation](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/ovulation/) disorders, [hyperandrogenism](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/hyperandrogenism/) and [infertility](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/infertility/) and impacts [4-20% women of childbearing age globally](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7879843/). According to the [CDC](https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/basics/pcos.html) [PCOS](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/pcos/) is one of the most common causes of [infertility](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/infertility/) in women. MI controls the hormones needed for egg production in [ovaries](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/ovaries/), while DCI helps control excess androgen (male hormones) in women. Experts are increasingly finding that taking a combination of MI and DCI in a 40:1 MI/DCI ratio is an effective therapy for [PCOS](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/pcos/) as it improves insulin sensitivity and restarts [ovulation](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/ovulation/). This mimics the MI/DCI ratio found naturally in women without [PCOS](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/pcos/). And as inositol can normalise ovarian function and improve [oocyte](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/oocyte/) (immature egg) and embryo quality in women with [PCOS](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/pcos/), it is also effective during fertility treatment and [IVF](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/ivf/). #### Can inositol treat metabolic syndrome? Up to [80% of women with](https://www.ndss.com.au/about-diabetes/resources/find-a-resource/polycystic-ovary-syndrome-fact-sheet/) [PCOS](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/pcos/) have [insulin resistance](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/insulin-resistance/). Our bodies create insulin to control blood sugar levels and [insulin resistance](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/insulin-resistance/) can increase the risk for developing metabolic syndrome. [Metabolic syndrome](https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health-topics/metabolic-syndrome) is the collective name for a group of risk factors that increase your risk for chronic health conditions including heart disease, type 2 diabetes, high [LDL](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/ldl/) (bad) [cholesterol](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/cholesterol/), sleep apnea and strokes. This in turn puts women at higher probability of developing [gestational diabetes](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/gestational-diabetes/), putting both mother and baby at risk during pregnancy and increasing the chance of developing type 2 diabetes in later life. Studies have shown that a diet rich in foods with high inositol content complemented by inositol supplements can have [therapeutic potential](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7340869/) in certain metabolic diseases. #### How should I take inositol? How much myo and d-chiro should you include in your daily diet? There is no recommended daily allowance (RDA) for inositol, although there are many trusted [studies](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/772632) on the [dosage of inositol](https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/inositol#dosage) for various conditions: * **For mental health conditions:** 12–18 grams of MYO once daily for [4–6 weeks](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11254020) * **For polycystic ovary syndrome:** [1.2 grams of DCI](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1021906) once daily, or [2 grams of MYO](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25259724) and 200 mcg of folic acid twice daily for 6 months. * **For metabolic syndrome:** [2 grams of MYO](http://ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22192068) twice daily for one year. * **For blood sugar control in [gestational diabetes](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/gestational-diabetes/):** [2 grams of MY](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23340885)O and 400 mcg of folic acid twice daily [during pregnancy](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23327487). * **For blood sugar control in [type 2 diabetes:](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2803958)** [1 gram of DCI](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28039583) and 400 mcg [folic acid](https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/folic-acid-vs-folate) once daily for 6 months. Your body produces it naturally from foods high in inositol. Foods with highest MI content are beans, peas, brown rice, wheat bran and nuts. Cantaloupes and citrus fruits, but not lemons, also tend to be high in inositol. In general, canned, frozen and preserved foods contain less inositol than fresh foods. It is also available as a supplement and is often present in many multivitamins. If you are considering taking supplements for [PCOS](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/pcos/) or fertility, remember to look for the recommended ratio of 40:1 MC/DCI, not all supplements are created equal. And try to avoid any supplements containing artificial sugars and sugar alcohols. #### Does inositol have any side effects? It has very few side effects and even at high doses side effects are limited to stomach cramps and flatulence. \_\_\_ Nabta is reshaping women’s healthcare. We support women with their personal health journeys, from everyday wellbeing to the uniquely female experiences of fertility, pregnancy, and [](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary)[menopause](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/menopause/). You can track your menstrual cycle and get [personalised support by using the Nabta app.](https://nabtahealth.com/our-platform/nabta-app/) [Get in touch](/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#cfeafdffb6aea3a3ae8fa1aeadbbaea7aaaea3bba7e1aca0a2) if you have any questions about this article or any aspect of women’s health. We’re here for you.
* Having ovarian cysts is not the same as being diagnosed with [](https://nabtahealth.com/articles/five-things-your-doctor-probably-wont-tell-you-about-pcos-polycystic-ovary-syndrom/)[PCOS](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/pcos/). * Polycystic [ovaries](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/ovaries/) syndrome is a condition caused by an excess in [androgens](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/androgen/) (male hormones). * There are several different types of ovarian cysts which can cause [PCOS](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/pcos/)\-like symptoms such as painful sex and irregular periods. * Only cysts that contain an egg (follicular) or did contain an egg (corpus luteum) are associated with polycystic [ovaries](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/ovaries/) and [](https://nabtahealth.com/articles/five-things-your-doctor-probably-wont-tell-you-about-pcos-polycystic-ovary-syndrom/)[PCOS](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/pcos/). The short answer is: no, ovarian cysts and [Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (](https://nabtahealth.com/articles/five-things-your-doctor-probably-wont-tell-you-about-pcos-polycystic-ovary-syndrom/)[PCOS](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/pcos/)) are definitely not the same thing. #### [PCOS](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/pcos/) [PCOS](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/pcos/) is a metabolic condition caused by an excess of androgen hormones that may or may not result in polycystic [ovaries](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/ovaries/). Get your [blood tested for](https://nabtahealth.com/product/pcos-test/) [PCOS](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/pcos/) in the privacy of your home. ### Polycystic [ovaries](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/ovaries/) (PCO) To begin with, having [polycystic](../do-polycystic-ovaries-equal-pcos) [ovaries](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/ovaries/) (PCO) is not the same thing as being diagnosed with [PCOS](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/pcos/). Polycystic [ovaries](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/ovaries/) contain a number of partially mature follicles. They are a normal variant of a woman’s ovary. But polycystic [ovaries](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/ovaries/) are also not the same thing as ovarian cysts. When a woman has polycystic [ovaries](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/ovaries/), the cysts referred to in “polycystic” (meaning “many cysts”) are known as **follicular cysts**. Follicular cysts form when a follicle containing an egg does not open and release the egg. The fluid inside the partially mature follicle then forms a cyst on the ovary. A follicular cyst is a type of **functional cyst**, meaning it serves some purpose within the ovary. The other type of functional cyst is a **corpus luteum**. After a follicle releases its egg, the follicle sac typically dissolves and is reabsorbed by the ovary. However, if the sac doesn’t dissolve and the opening of the follicle seals, additional fluid can develop inside the follicle creating a corpus luteum. #### Non-functional cysts Then there are **non-functional** cysts, or cysts that do not serve a purpose within the ovary. There are four types of non-functional cyst: * **Hemorrhagic cyst** – a hemorrhagic cyst occurs when there is bleeding into a follicular cyst or corpus luteum. Although these can be painful, most disappear spontaneously without follow-up. * **[Endometrioma](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/endometrioma/)** – an [endometrioma](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/endometrioma/) is a type of cyst that forms when endometrial tissue (the mucous membrane that makes up the inner layer of the uterine wall) grows inside the [ovaries](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/ovaries/). * **Paraovarian cyst** – also known as a “paratubal” cyst, a paraovarian cyst is a fluid-filled sac that forms outside the [ovaries](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/ovaries/) in the space around the [ovaries](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/ovaries/) or [fallopian tubes](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/fallopian-tube/). These cysts usually dissolve on their own and so are often undiagnosed. * **Teratoma** – a teratoma is a tumour made up of several types of tissue including hair, muscle or bone. Mature teratomas such as dermoid cysts are normally [benign](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/benign/). Immature teratomas may be cancerous. Symptoms of Ovarian Cysts ------------------------- Symptoms of ovarian cysts can include: * Abdominal pain, especially during intercourse * Pain during or shortly after the beginning or end of your period * Irregular periods, or abnormal uterine bleeding or spotting. * Fullness, heaviness, pressure, swelling, or bloating in the abdomen. * Change in frequency or ease of urination * Difficulty with bowel movements due to pressure on the pelvis * Fatigue and headaches * Nausea or vomiting * Weight gain When cysts rupture or burst, and this can happen to functional and non-functional cysts as both contain fluid, you may experience a sudden and sharp pain in the lower abdomen on one side. Usually there are no further complications, although if a particularly large cyst ruptures it can cause internal bleeding. If you are worried, consult your doctor. Conclusion ---------- If you are diagnosed with “ovarian cysts”, it is important that you clarify exactly what type of ovarian cysts you have. Remember that only functional cysts – follicular cysts and corpus luteum – are related to PCO or [PCOS](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/pcos/). Nabta is reshaping women’s healthcare. We support women with their personal health journeys, from everyday wellbeing to the uniquely female experiences of fertility, pregnancy, and [menopause](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/menopause/). Get in [touch](/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#aed7cfc2c2cfeec0cfccdacfc6cbcfc2dac680cdc1c3) if you have any questions about this article or any aspect of women’s health. We’re here for you. **Sources** * “Ovarian cysts”. Office on Women’s Health. November 19, 2014. Archived from the original on 29 June 2015. Retrieved 27 June 2015. * Hemorrhagic ovarian cysts: Clinical and sonographic correlation with the management options, Ahmed M.Abbasa, Mariam T.Aminb, Sara M.Tolbac, Mohamed K.Alia, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mefs.2015.08.001 * “Mature teratoma”. National Cancer Institute. Retrieved 20 December 2017. * Noor, Mohd Rushdan Md; Hseon, Tay Eng; Jeffrey, Low Jen Hui (2014). Gynaecologic Cancer: A Handbook for Students and Practitioners. CRC Press. p. 446. ISBN 9789814463065.
 _**Week 1**: Y_ou aren’t officially pregnant yet, but your pregnancy will be dated from the first day of your last menstrual period, making this week 1. Congratulations! You are menstruating (shedding your [uterus](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/uterus/) lining and last cycle’s unfertilised egg\] and a new cycle is starting. Now is a good time to start your prenatal vitamins, cut back on alcohol and smoking, and follow a healthy and balanced diet. _**Week 2:**_ You haven’t conceived yet. Your body is preparing to ovulate. You’ll notice your cervical mucus changes in volume, texture, and colour as your fertility increases. Just before [ovulation](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/ovulation/) your cervical mucus will be thinner and cloudy, or yellowish, and your basal body temperature (BBT) will drop. _**Week 3:**_ You are at your most fertile. During [ovulation](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/ovulation/) your cervical mucus is the colour and consistency of egg whites and your BBT rises. An egg is released from one of your [ovaries](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/ovaries/) into your [fallopian tubes](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/fallopian-tube/) and waits to be fertilised by a [sperm](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/sperm/). Your egg can wait for 12-24 hours for a [sperm](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/sperm/) to successfully push through its outer surface. You’ve conceived! Your fertilised single cell [zygote](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/zygote/) will divide and multiply rapidly over the coming days. This cell cluster, the blastocyst, then travels from your [fallopian tubes](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/fallopian-tube/) to your [uterus](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/uterus/). _**Week 4:**_ The blastocyst arrives in your [uterus](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/uterus/) and implants in your uterine lining. You may notice some [implantation](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/implantation/) spotting or bleeding, no need to worry, this is normal. Now connected to you, the blastocyst divides into the embryo (your baby) and the [placenta](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/placenta/) which will soon take over from the yolk sac to nourish your baby and remove waste. Your pregnancy hormones will start to kick in around now and you may start to feel some hormonal symptoms such as mood swings and tender breasts. Your embryo is the size of a poppy seed this week. _**Week 5:**_ Your period is late and with your hCG levels now high enough to return a positive home pregnancy test things are getting exciting. Your body’s working overtime to establish the [placenta](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/placenta/) and major organs and systems in the embryo, which is now the size of an apple pip. You’ll probably start to feel some fatigue and light nausea this week and you might notice those famous pregnancy food cravings (and aversions) kick in. _**Week 6:**_ Your baby is growing quickly and is the size of a pea, with the look of a tiny tadpole! Organs are continuing to develop and an ultrasound might detect your baby’s heartbeat now. The [neural tube](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/neural-tube/) is closing – the spinal cord and brain will develop from this – and small buds are the start of arms forming. Your pregnancy symptoms are more pronounced. Fatigue, nausea (morning sickness), tender breasts, bloating and indigestion are all common. And with your growing [uterus](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/uterus/) putting pressure on your bladder, you may need to urinate more frequently. _**Week 7:**_ This week your baby is the size of a blueberry. Its brain cells and face start to develop, small leg buds will form, and the little arm buds will lengthen. The pregnancy hormones [oestrogen](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/oestrogen/) and [progesterone](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/progesterone/) are responsible for your sore, swollen breasts. Your food aversions, nausea, [heartburn](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/heartburn/), need to pee and utter exhaustion aren’t going away anytime soon. But you are building a baby! _**Week 8:**_ Your baby is the size of a kidney bean. Fingers and facial features are forming, and retinas are developing (although you won’t know the colour of your baby’s eyes for another 7 months). Your baby’s internal sexual organs also start to grow now. You can add tightening clothes (your [uterus](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/uterus/) is the size of a tennis ball right now), vaginal discharge and [constipation](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/constipation/) to the list of pregnancy symptoms. Remember to go easy on yourself, you are creating a little human. _**Week 9:**_ Your baby is the size of an olive. Arms lengthen, elbows appear, and toes are forming. The spinal cord ‘tadpole tail’ has almost gone and your baby’s heartbeat is strong enough for your doctor to hear using a doppler device. Extreme pregnancy fatigue takes over. This is normal; your body’s coping with a spike in hormone and [metabolism](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/metabolism/) levels and is working flat out to develop a healthy [placenta](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/placenta/) for your baby. _**Week 10**:_ Your baby is the size of a strawberry. Now officially a foetus, your baby’s head is rounder, eyelids and ears continue to develop, elbows can bend, and fingers and toes are lengthening. What’s more, tooth buds are now forming under the gums. You are probably seeing some roundness in your lower belly now (your [uterus](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/uterus/) is the size of a large orange). Nausea, [constipation](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/constipation/), and indigestion may be making life uncomfortable, and the fatigue isn’t going anywhere. Remember to keep your fluids up. _**Week 11**:_ Your baby is the size of a fig. Its head is oversized at about half the length of its body; but this will soon catch up. Eyes are wide apart, eyelids are fused shut, and ears are low. Your baby’s external reproductive organs start to grow but it will keep you guessing its gender for now. With your body pumping 50% more blood you may feel hot and dizzy. Morning sickness might ease while your appetite increases. Try to eat delicious and nutritious food and not give into the temptation to eat for two! _**Week 12:**_ Your baby is the size of a plum. The [placenta](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/placenta/) has taken over from the yolk sac and is nourishing your growing baby. Your baby’s internal organs and muscles are now fully formed, skeletal bones are hardening, and nails are forming. Some women will notice their hair and nails growing stronger and shinier, and the arrival of the ‘mask of pregnancy’ (chloasma), triggered by hormonal changes. Your early pregnancy symptoms of nausea, need to pee and indigestion may be lessening now. _**Week 13:**_ Your baby is the size of a lemon. Your baby is swallowing [amniotic fluid](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/amniotic-fluid/), and its kidneys are making and releasing urine. Its head is now a third of its body length, vocal cords are forming, and you might see your baby making jerky movements on an ultrasound. You won’t feel these flutters and kicks for a few more weeks though. You are in your second trimester and it’s all starting to feel more real! Your [uterus](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/uterus/) is pushing up and out and you might be thinking about your maternity wardrobe. Headaches, nosebleeds, and bleeding gums sometimes show up around this time; try using a toothbrush for sensitive gums. _**Week 14:**_ Your baby is the size of a nectarine. Hair follicles are forming, and senses of taste and smell are developing. External sex organs are in place. And your baby can suck its thumb and make facial expressions now! You are in the ‘honeymoon’ period of your pregnancy (in theory!). Hopefully you are feeling less tired and nauseous, and more energetic. You may experience a jabbing ‘[round ligament pain](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/round-ligament-pain/)’ in your lower abdomen, caused by your expanding [uterus](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/uterus/) – why not put your feet up and rest a little. _**Week 15:**_ Your baby is the size of a pear. And it might have hiccups! Facial features are moving into position and a scalp pattern is forming. Your baby is growing rapidly and becoming more active. Its developing bones will soon show on an ultrasound. As your bump grows your belly skin might be feeling itchy, try massaging in some unscented lotion. Apart from the common pregnancy symptoms, bleeding gums, nosebleeds, and increased vaginal discharge… you are feeling more energised this week. People may even comment on your pregnancy ‘glow’. _**Week 16:**_ Your baby is the size of an avocado. As your baby’s muscles and bones strengthen, its head straightens in line with its body, and movements become more coordinated. Your baby’s eyes are moving beneath its closed eyelids, skin is thickening, and facial hair is appearing. Be aware that urinary tract and vaginal infections (you’ll have noticed an increase in vaginal discharge) are more common now. You’ll find your weight increases as your baby grows. Remember to eat a healthy diet and stay active. Walking, swimming, pregnancy yoga and Pilates are all ideal for exercise during pregnancy. Ask your doctor if you aren’t sure. _**Week 17:**_ Your baby is the size of a pomegranate. And you might feel your baby move this week! Those little flutters could be kicks, or backflips, or hiccups. You won’t know for sure but isn’t it exciting. Your baby is also developing fat stores for energy and insulation. And it now has its own unique fingerprints. Your bump is getting bigger and is beginning to show. With your organs making space for your growing bump and [placenta](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/placenta/) the indigestion is back. You may also notice an increase in breast size due to hormones and milk-producing glands. _**Week 18:**_ Your baby is the size of a sweet potato. Eyes are moving into position, ears are standing out, and your baby might start hearing muffled sounds this week. Myelin, an insulating substance, now coats and protects the spinal cord and nervous system, helping messages travel along nerve pathways faster. And your baby’s digestive system is working. It’s all going on! Your [linea nigra](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/linea-nigra/) (or pregnancy line) is showing and you have the odd dizzy spell as your centre of gravity shifts and your blood pressure dips mid-pregnancy. Avoid standing for long periods and keep your fluids up. _**Week 19:**_ Your baby is the size of a mango. Arms and legs are in proportion with the body and its little wriggles are still flutters. [Vernix caseosa](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/vernix-caseosa/), a white wax-like coating will soon cover your baby, protecting its delicate skin during its months sitting in [amniotic fluid](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/amniotic-fluid/). [Round ligament pain](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/round-ligament-pain/), dizziness, [constipation](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/constipation/), and now maybe backaches and leg cramps. Your appetite is good though (remember to eat healthy amounts of fibre to keep things moving) and you’ll hopefully still be feeling bursts of energy. _**Week 20**:_ Your baby is the size of a bell pepper. Your baby is developing its own sleep-wake cycle and might even wake to the sound of your voice. You can see your baby’s gender on an ultrasound now. If it’s a little girl she already has 6-7 million eggs in her tiny [ovaries](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/ovaries/), imagine that! You’re halfway through your second trimester. Your bump is popping, and your tummy button looks different (is your innie now an outie?) It’s normal to feel breathless at times. This is due to pregnancy hormones and your growing [uterus](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/uterus/) now pushing against your lungs. _**Week 21:**_ Your baby is the size of a banana. And it’s now heavier than the [placenta](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/placenta/). A thin downy layer of hair called [lanugo](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/lanugo/) helps bind the vernix to your baby’s skin. Bone marrow begins to take over red blood cell production from the liver and spleen. And you can now hear your baby’s heartbeat with a stethoscope, does it sound like galloping horses? You continue to experience common second trimester symptoms. You may also notice new [stretch marks](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/stretch-marks/), swelling in your feet and ankles, and [varicose veins](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/varicose-veins/) (thanks to your changing hormones and the weight of your growing [uterus](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/uterus/)). For relief, go for a swim or have a bath, keep your fluids up, and take your weight off your feet when you can. _**Week 22:**_ Your baby is the size of a papaya. Eyebrows and hair are visible. Tear ducts are forming, and although eyes are still shut, they are sensitive to light. Your baby’s sense of touch is developing, it can reach out and grab the [umbilical cord](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/umbilical-cord/). The hormone [relaxin](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/relaxin/) loosens ligaments around your pelvis to prepare for childbirth. This increased mobility can [lead](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/lead/) to pelvic, hip, and other joint pain. Avoid heavy lifting or standing for too long. Oh, and your indigestion is off the charts. On the plus side, your hair is lustrous, and everyone says you have that pregnancy bloom. _**Week 23:**_ Your baby is the size of an eggplant. The lungs are learning to breathe, while the [placenta](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/placenta/) still provides all the baby’s oxygen in the [uterus](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/uterus/). Fat and muscle are building and your baby is more active. You can definitely feel those kicks now. Pay attention and you’ll soon identify your baby’s regular patterns of movement. Your growing bump may be attracting attention. And you’ll find everyone has a theory about your baby’s gender based on the shape of your belly! Leg cramps are more common. Try to stretch and flex your foot to ease the cramping. _**Week 24:**_ Your baby is the size of a rockmelon. Your baby’s taste buds are becoming more sensitive and when your baby swallows [amniotic fluid](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/amniotic-fluid/) it can taste the food and drinks you have been eating! Your baby’s skin is still wrinkled and translucent; the fat it is adding will help smooth the wrinkles and regulate body temperature. The top of your [uterus](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/uterus/) reaches just above your tummy button. You might start to feel sporadic [Braxton Hicks](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/braxton-hicks/) ‘practice’ [contractions](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/contraction/) when your bump briefly tightens and relaxes. Your [uterus](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/uterus/) is preparing for labour. Now is a good time to start doing gentle pelvic floor exercises. During weeks 24-28 a glucose intolerance test will check for signs of [gestational diabetes](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/gestational-diabetes/). _**Week 25:**_ Your baby is the size of a cauliflower. Senses are still evolving, and nostrils are unplugged, ready to smell and breathe fresh air in a few months. Your baby is looking pinker due to capillaries forming under the skin. The brain, lungs, nervous and digestive systems are all developing rapidly. Guess what, your [uterus](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/uterus/) is now the size of a football! Unsurprisingly, your growing [uterus](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/uterus/) puts pressure on your stomach and organs, which affects digestion. Your belly size (also known as the fundal height) is measured by the distance between your pubic bone and top of the [uterus](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/uterus/). _**Week 26:**_ Your baby is the size of an iceberg lettuce. Your baby’s startle reflexes are working, and you might feel a sharp jab in response to sudden loud sounds. Eyelashes are sprouting and your baby’s eyelids will open this week. The retinas are developed but the iris pigmentation, which determines your baby’s eye colour, is still filling in. You might feel tired and uncoordinated as you grapple with pregnancy [insomnia](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/insomnia/) and sharing your body with your growing baby. If you seem more forgetful than usual this is normal – ‘baby brain’ really is a thing. Go easy on yourself and if anything doesn’t feel right talk to your doctor. _**Week 27:**_ Your baby is the size of a zucchini. If you are carrying a boy the testicles drop into the scrotum around now. Your baby is gaining fat and weight and is moving around more and changing positions. Get a sense for your baby’s activity and alert your doctor if you notice decreased fetal movement. You are in the final week of the second trimester! Your breasts feel heavier due to the growth of glandular, milk-making, tissue. If you feel bloated drink lots of fluids and eat foods high in fibre, and fresh fruit and veg. And you may find it more comfortable to sleep on your side. _**Week 28:**_ Your baby is the size of an eggplant. Your baby is making more facial expressions and an ultrasound might show your baby sticking out its tongue! Your baby’s nervous system can control breathing movements (fresh air breathing comes later) and regulate temperature. This is also a time of rapid brain growth. You’re in your third trimester. You and your baby still have some growing to do. You may feel more back and pelvic discomfort, and need to pee frequently, as the bump puts pressure on your bladder, pelvis, and lower back. Keep up the light activity and stretching. _**Week 29:**_ Your baby is the size of a butternut squash. Calcium intake is up, bones are strengthening, and your baby is adding fat and weight. This will continue until birth. Your baby is busy in there: kicking, turning, stretching, and grabbing…you may see your tummy forming odd shapes! Your healthcare team might talk to you about a birth plan if you don’t have one. Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is common during the third trimester. If RLS is keeping you up at night (along with the [heartburn](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/heartburn/), need to pee, [insomnia](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/insomnia/), and leg cramps…) now is a good time to check your [iron](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/iron/) levels, and continue the gentle daytime exercise. _**Week 30:**_ Your baby is the size of a pomelo. If you feel a repetitive tapping your baby might have hiccups. Don’t worry, they are totally normal. They could even be from the food you ate! Your baby’s skin is thicker now and the downy [lanugo](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/lanugo/) covering your baby’s body is falling away. You’re starting to feel tired again and everyone wants to touch your belly. Regular gentle exercise will help you sleep better, manage the aches and pains, and stay strong for labour. Take the pressure off those [varicose veins](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/varicose-veins/) with regular feet-up time. _**Week 31:**_ Your baby is the size of a pineapple. Brain connections are developing, eyes are open and eyelids are blinking (slowly at first). Your baby’s lungs are still maturing and its bones are hardening. You are in the home stretch. Your expanding [uterus](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/uterus/) is now a couple of inches above your belly button. This is putting pressure on your diaphragm and lungs, making it hard for you to catch your breath. You may find your breasts start leaking small amounts of creamy yellowish [colostrum](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/colostrum/). _Week 32:_ Your baby is the size of a small pumpkin. Your baby continues to add weight, making your [uterus](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/uterus/) less roomy by the day. Finger and toenails are growing, they may even need clipping by the time your baby arrives in the world. A lot of babies move into head-down position around now. Some will keep flipping around, others will stay in bottom-down position ([breech](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/breech/)) just before birth. Your face may feel puffy due to water retention. Always mention any puffiness or swelling to your doctor. Your baby’s head-down position is increasing the weight on your bladder, you need to pee little and often! Remember to keep up your pelvic floor exercises. _**Week 33:**_ Your baby is as big as a celery head. All five senses are well-developed now. Your baby can hear and react to your voice, and your baby’s pupils can respond to light changes. While your baby’s bones are hardening, the skull will stay soft and flexible to fit through the birth canal. You are overheating (that’s hormones for you), headachy, out of breath, you need to pee all the time, and you have pelvic pain. Oh, and you aren’t sleeping (and everyone is telling you to sleep while you can)! But you are also nesting and feeling some nervous anticipation. Remember to sign up for antenatal classes. _**Week 34**:_ Your baby is the size of a honeydew melon. The vernix protecting your baby’s skin is coming off in the [amniotic fluid](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/amniotic-fluid/) which reaches its highest volume this week. Wriggling, swallowing, and breathing in the [amniotic fluid](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/amniotic-fluid/) helps your baby’s muscles, bones, digestive system, and lungs mature. To ease your [heartburn](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/heartburn/) try eating regular small meals during the day and avoid rich, spicy foods. Blurry vision and dry eyes can cause discomfort at this stage. Eyedrops help, and if you are a contact lens wearer you may find it more comfortable to wear glasses. _**Week 35:**_ Your baby is the size of a honeydew melon. Your baby’s brain is going through another period of explosive development in neurons and wiring. In fact, your baby’s brain weight increases by a third in the third trimester. The skin has filled out and is plumper. Your baby is putting on around half a pound a week. It’s normal for your baby to feel more wriggly in the last few weeks of pregnancy. It’s a squash in there and you can feel your baby jostling for space. Contact your healthcare team if your baby’s movements seem less regular. Pack your hospital bag and do a dummy hospital run if you haven’t already. _**Week 36:**_ Your baby is the size of coconut. Things are getting cramped in your [uterus](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/uterus/). Your curled up baby has an established sleep-wake cycle and hearing is sharper. Your baby is now considered ‘late preterm’ or ‘near-term’. While still maturing, if born now your baby would need little, if any, assistance after delivery. You will have your group B strep swab this week to check for group B streptococcus. Your midwife will check your baby’s presentation (position). Your baby may engage this week. This is when the head drops into your pelvis and means your baby is in position for labour. Don’t worry if the head doesn’t engage yet, the timing is different for everyone. Your midwife will also go through your birth plan. _**Week 37:**_ Your baby is the size of chard. Although ‘early term’ at 37 weeks, your baby could arrive any day now. In the meantime, your baby is fine-tuning facial expressions, sucking its thumb and swallowing. Lungs, brain and liver are still maturing, and the digestive system will continue to develop during your baby’s first few years of life. Your body is preparing for labour and delivery. If your baby’s head has dropped into your pelvis you’ll notice pressure here and a ‘lightening’ around your diaphragm and lungs. If your baby is still in [breech](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/breech/) position your doctor might talk to you about options to turn your baby. Any painless [Braxton Hicks](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/braxton-hicks/) should ease when you change positions. Contact your healthcare team if you feel regular, increasingly strong [contractions](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/contraction/) that don’t ease when you move. _**Week 38:**_ Your baby is the size of a rhubarb. You are still ‘early term’ and your baby has shed most [lanugo](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/lanugo/). Your baby’s grasp is firm, practising by grabbing fingers and the [umbilical cord](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/umbilical-cord/). Your baby is adding weight daily, with head and abdomen now the same circumference. You’ll notice an increase in thin white vaginal discharge. This is normal. Look out for the mucous plug, bloody show and any sign of your waters breaking. Keep rubbing lotion on that tummy to soothe your stretched skin. If you can, take the weight off your swollen feet and ankles. Your nesting instinct is strong; now is a good time to fill your freezer with delicious nutritious meals. _**Week 39:**_ Your baby is the size of a watermelon. Congratulations! You are ‘[full term](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/full-term/)’. Your baby’s entrance into the world may still be a week or two away, but your baby’s lungs and vocal cords are now strong enough to take breaths and cry out in the world. Your baby is still building up essential fat for temperature regulation after birth. With your baby’s head putting pressure at the bottom of your bump you feel you are waddling about! This is a common sensation for this stage of pregnancy. Rest as much as possible, keep your fluids up, and try to sleep on your side. If you notice any signs of [preeclampsia](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/preeclampsia/) – headache, swollen face and hands, nausea, changes in vision – contact your healthcare team immediately. _**Week 40:**_ Your baby is the size of a… slightly larger watermelon! Your baby is still putting on around half a pound a week in preparation for life outside the womb. Don’t worry if your baby isn’t quite ready to leave its cosy home, about a third of babies are born after the [due date](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/due-date/).. Keep monitoring fetal movement. There isn’t much room for wriggling, but if you are concerned your baby’s movements have decreased contact your healthcare team straightaway. A good tip is to drink a large glass of cold orange juice and lie down – you should feel at least 10 nudges in an hour. You probably feel like you’ve been pregnant forever. Why not go for a long walk or practise your breathing techniques and some birthing positions while you wait for your baby? The wait is nearly over…
 Deciding you want to become pregnant and have a baby can be an incredibly exciting and overwhelming time. Fertility can be affected by many factors and there are ways to increase your chances of conceiving naturally. However, for some trying for a baby may not go as hoped or planned, and they might need further medical assistance to conceive. Wherever you are on your fertility journey, [Nabta Health](https://nabtahealth.com/shop/collections/stage/fertility/) will support you with resources, knowledge, and access to experts. #### How can I increase my chances of getting pregnant naturally? First things first. There are lifestyle steps you can take in the months before you start trying for a baby to prepare your body for conception. * Take **prenatal vitamins**: To ensure your body is nutritionally strong, with all the minerals and vitamins you need for strong fetal development, start taking prenatal vitamins with folic acid at least three months before you try to conceive. * Follow a **balanced diet**: Boost your health with a varied diet covering all food groups. Avoid refined sugars, saturated fats and too much salt. * Maintain a **healthy weight**: Being underweight or overweight can impact fertility. * **Exercise** regularly: Exercise that builds strength, endurance and muscle tone will help your body stay healthy and strong during pregnancy and labour. * Get lots of **rest** and **sleep**: Sleep patterns can affect hormones. Stick to a regular 7-8 hours sleep routine as you prepare your body to conceive. * **Reduce stress**: High stress levels are linked with difficulties getting pregnant. Give yourself a break when you can and take the pressure off. If you’re feeling frazzled, try taking up yoga and practice mindfulness. * **Stop smoking** and **quit drugs**. Limit **alcohol** intake and cut back on **caffeine**. * **Come off contraception**: If you’re on hormonal contraception (the pill, [IUD](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/iud/), patch, ring implant) it can take some months for your body to readjust and your cycles to return to your personal ‘normal’. Of course, this doesn’t apply if you use condoms or a diaphragm for contraception as they simply act as a barrier to conceiving. * Get a **well-woman health check**: Consider getting a full medical, including a check-up for any sexually transmitted infections (STIs). While this is by no means essential, your healthcare team will help you manage any potential red flags, family medical history or underlying health conditions that could af you getting pregnant naturally or having a healthy pregnancy. #### How do women become pregnant? The traditional way for heterosexual couples to get pregnant is through unprotected sexual intercourse. Pregnancy is a question of timing (among other individual factors). Heterosexual couples who want to get pregnant will need to time sex with [ovulation](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/ovulation/). The man’s [sperm](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/sperm/) must meet and fertilise the egg at the right time. Knowing her fertile window and timing intercourse with [ovulation](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/ovulation/) is one of the most important factors in increasing a woman’s chances of conceiving. #### What is [ovulation](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/ovulation/)? The [ovaries](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/ovaries/) release the egg once every cycle, during [ovulation](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/ovulation/). That egg travels down the [fallopian tubes](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/fallopian-tube/) and waits to be fertilised by a [sperm](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/sperm/). The egg can wait for 12-24 hours for a [sperm](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/sperm/) to successfully push through its outer surface. [Sperm](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/sperm/) can live inside the female reproductive tract for 3-5 days waiting to fertilise an egg. All being good the fertilised egg makes its way to the [uterus](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/uterus/) (womb) and implants in the uterine lining. #### How do I know when I’m ovulating? Women typically ovulate around 12 to 14 days before their next period. If you have regular periods (the average menstrual cycle is 28 days but it’s normal for women’s cycles to be anywhere from 21 to 40 days) you can count back from the first day of when you would expect your next period. Fertility experts recommend having sex at least every other day in the [lead](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/lead/)\-up to [ovulation](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/ovulation/). [Sperm](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/sperm/) can survive for several days in the female reproductive tract but once you’ve ovulated your egg has a 12-24 window for fertilisation so for the best chances of conception have enough sex in the time leading up to that brief window. #### What is fertility awareness and natural family planning? Fertility awareness methods (FAMs), also known as natural family planning, is used by women both as a method of contraception and to predict when they are most likely to conceive. Women can monitor several physiological cues alongside tracking menstrual cycle length to determine when they are most fertile: * Checking **cervical mucous**: Understanding how your cervical mucous changes during your cycle. As you near [ovulation](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/ovulation/) you’ll notice your discharge becomes clear, stretchy, and wet, with the consistency of raw egg whites. This is known as fertile quality mucous and you are now at your most fertile. * Charting your **basal body temperature (BBT)**: There is a small rise in body temperature after [ovulation](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/ovulation/). Measuring your BBT can help you predict the exact point of [ovulation](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/ovulation/). Women with regular periods can measure BBT for 3-4 cycles to gain a fairly accurate prediction of when they are most fertile * Monitoring cervical mucous and BBT are non-invasive, easily accessible methods to track fertility. Using these two approaches together is known as the symptothermal method. Other methods for tracking [ovulation](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/ovulation/) include: * **Calendar method**: This works by recording menstrual cycles on a calendar for 6-12 months and calculating fertile periods. It is most effective as a fertility predictor when combined with cervical mucous and BBT methods. * **[Ovulation](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/ovulation/) predictor kits**: Over the counter [ovulation](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/ovulation/) kits work in a similar way to at-home pregnancy tests. The woman pees on a stick measuring luteinizing hormone and a surge in this hormone indicates [ovulation](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/ovulation/). However, it doesn’t prove an egg has been released and a woman can have the hormone surge but fail to ovulate. * **Period tracker apps**: Smartphone [ovulation](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/ovulation/) tracker apps, like [OvuSense](https://nabtahealth.com/product/fertility-cycle-monitoring-with-ovusense/), monitor menstrual cycles and predict fertility. If you do choose to use a smartphone tracker app, be sure to read the small print for data collection policies. Fertility awareness, knowing and understanding your body and its menstrual cycles, helps lots of couples to conceive. However, getting pregnant isn’t always as simple as knowing your body and having lots of ‘baby making sex’. Some women want children but either cannot conceive naturally or keep miscarrying. And obviously, there are different considerations for women who have irregular periods due to [endometriosis](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/endometriosis/) or [PCOS](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/pcos/), those whose fertility is affected by illness or genetic history, and people who are single, transgender, or in same-sex relationships. #### What affects female fertility? Egg numbers and quality start to decline after 35, increasing the risk of age-related [infertility](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/infertility/). The risk of pregnancy-related complications also increases with age. Underlying health issues, [endometriosis](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/endometriosis/), uterine [polyps](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/polyps/) or [fibroids](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/fibroids/), polycystic ovarian syndrome ([PCOS](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/pcos/)), problems with the [fallopian tubes](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/fallopian-tube/), and ovulatory problems can all affect fertility. #### What affects male fertility? Male fertility problems can be caused by low [sperm](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/sperm/) count, poor quality [sperm](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/sperm/), or blockages preventing [sperm](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/sperm/) moving through the reproductive tract. [Sperm](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/sperm/) can be vulnerable to lifestyle and environmental factors including raised body temperature, weight gain, exposure to toxins, smoking, heavy alcohol intake and drug use. #### What if I can’t get pregnant naturally? Doctors define [infertility](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/infertility/) as the inability to conceive after one year or longer of regular unprotected sex. If you are a woman in a heterosexual relationship and struggling to conceive using fertility awareness and natural family planning methods, both you and your partner should seek a medical and physical evaluation. In some situations, if a woman is 35 years or older, doctors may decide to investigate and treat [infertility](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/infertility/) after 6 months of unprotected intercourse. #### Fertility testing for women Testing will depend on individual health and medical history, but typically initial testing will include **routine blood work to** check for: * Anti-Müllerian Hormone ([AMH](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/amh/)): Ovarian reserve test to estimate how many eggs a woman has. * Follicle-Stimulating Hormone ([FSH](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/fsh/)): Hormone stimulates the follicle producing the eggs. * Luteinizing Hormone ([LH](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/lh/)): Responsible for follicle production and egg maturation. * [Prolactin](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/prolactin/) (PRL): Hormone released from anterior pituitary gland, raised during pregnancy in preparation for breastfeeding, and in women with infrequent periods. * Thyrotrophin ([TSH](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/tsh/)): Can indicate an underactive thyroid, linked with irregular periods. * [Estradiol](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/estradiol/): A form of estrogen, the test measures ovarian function and egg quality. * Androgen: High levels can prevent the [ovaries](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/ovaries/) from releasing an egg and may indicate polycystic ovarian syndrome ([PCOS](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/pcos/)). * A **Vaginal ultrasound** will check: 1. Reproductive organ health. 2. [Ovaries](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/ovaries/) for cysts, [fibroids](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/fibroids/), [polyps](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/polyps/), [PCOS](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/pcos/), [endometriosis](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/endometriosis/), or any abnormalities. 3. Egg reserve. Sometimes an **X-ray** is also carried out: Hysterosalpingography (HSG): Examines inside of the [uterus](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/uterus/) (womb) and [fallopian tubes](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/fallopian-tube/) for blockages or anything that might be stopping the [sperm](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/sperm/) from reaching the egg. #### Fertility testing for men Blood work for men will check hormone levels and scan for certain infections or a possible genetic cause for [infertility](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/infertility/). A doctor may request a [sperm](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/sperm/) sample to assess [sperm](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/sperm/) count, shape and movement, and a scrotal ultrasound to check if there are any problems or blockages in the testicles preventing [sperm](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/sperm/) getting into a man’s ejaculate. #### Fertility treatment options Each person’s fertility scenario is unique, and any recommended [infertility](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/infertility/) treatment will depend on an individual’s own health and medical history. A woman with a blocked fallopian tube or a man who isn’t producing [sperm](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/sperm/) will be offered procedures to remove the blockage, repair damage or retrieve [sperm](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/sperm/), before trying other fertility treatments. If appropriate, fertility specialists will often recommend that women start with **clomid**, a **prescribed oral medication for [infertility](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/infertility/)**. This is also the preferred approach for women with hormonal conditions such as polycystic ovarian syndrome ([PCOS](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/pcos/)). Clomid works by stimulating an increase in the levels of follicle-stimulating hormones, initiating [ovulation](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/ovulation/) and increasing the odds of pregnancy. For some women this approach is combined with **intrauterine insemination (IUI)**, in which the male partner’s or donor’s [sperm](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/sperm/) is inserted directly into the [uterus](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/uterus/) to increase the probabilities of conception. If that approach doesn’t work, or if it’s clear from a woman’s medical history it won’t work, the next step would be treatments such as **in vitro fertilisation ([IVF](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/ivf/))**. [IVF](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/ivf/) involves retrieving eggs from a woman’s body, fertilising the eggs in a laboratory, and transferring the resulting embryo back into her body. The process is lengthy, invasive, and expensive and can take an emotional toll. However, for many women who want children it is their only option. Fertility treatments vary depending on a woman or couple’s situation. People who are single, in same-sex relationships or transgender will have their own fertility journeys and in these cases a woman’s age and fertility status still plays a role. Fertility experts will offer the necessary support and advice for each individual scenario. #### Getting started on your fertility journey with Nabta Health Whatever your personal situation, whether you’re thinking about starting a family, having another child, or you’ve been trying for years without success, [Nabta Health](https://nabtahealth.com/shop/collections/stage/fertility/) will support you on your fertility journey. From health and lifestyle tips for pre-conception and [PCOS](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/pcos/), to relationship coaching, pregnancy wellness products, and at-home vitamin, thyroid, and fertility testing, Nabta’s fertility marketplace and knowledge resources are designed to accompany you through each stage from pre-conception to birth.
* One of the most obvious sure signs of being pregnant is a missed period. * Some women experience light bleeding around the time of their expected period. * A pregnancy test will confirm if you are pregnant by measuring the levels of the hormone hCG which are elevated by 2 weeks after [ovulation](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/ovulation/). * A simple urine test or blood test will confirm. * There are many other subtle signs of being pregnant that are less measurable and vary from woman to woman. You may experience all or even none of these. #### Some common early signs of being pregnant 1. Tender breasts 2. Nausea and vomiting 3. Cramps 4. Enhanced sense of smell 5. Unpleasant taste 6. Needing to urinate often 7. [Constipation](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/constipation/) 8. Moodiness 9. Headaches 10. Tiredness 11. Spotting Some of these can be experienced in early pregnancy week 1 (after [implantation](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/implantation/)). You will be right to think some of these signs are subtle and can be easily missed. Approximately six days after fertilisation the egg implants into the wall of the [uterus](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/uterus/), this can cause slight cramping and bleeding, known as spotting. Some women mistake this for normal menstruation. Soreness, tingling, or a feeling of heaviness in the breasts can be another early sign of pregnancy, as can a feeling of fatigue and moodiness. These changes are all due to fluctuating hormones. #### What is the most reliable sign of being pregnant? These signs are also very similar to the symptoms many women experience immediately before menstruation. Whilst many couples can be impatient to know if they are pregnant as soon as possible, it is worth remembering that the most reliable indicator of pregnancy is a missed period and a positive pregnancy test. \[hubspot type=cta portal=25236204 id=ccce01e7-6e0d-4327-9eb0-6838457bdbb0\] #### Is white discharge an early pregnancy symptom? White discharge is secreted by most women throughout their normal menstrual cycle which makes it easy to overlook it as one of the common pregnancy symptoms. Often pregnant women find they have a white sticky discharge early on in the first trimester and and this continues throughout the length of the pregnancy. One of the reasons there is an increase in white discharge is to prevent infections during pregnancy as the [cervix](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/cervix/) and vaginal walls soften. #### How to know if you are really pregnant? A missed period occurs 15 days after [ovulation](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/ovulation/) (don’t forget some women experience light bleeding around the time of their expected period). At this stage, a pregnancy test will give a reliable result. [Pregnancy tests](https://nabtahealth.com/accuracy-of-home-pregnancy-tests/) measure the levels of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) in the blood or the urine. hCG is produced once the fertilised egg attaches to the wall of the [uterus](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/uterus/). Once [implantation](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/implantation/) has occurred, levels of hCG double every two to three days, until they reach detectable levels, approximately two weeks after [ovulation](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/ovulation/). There is a common misconception that the urine pregnancy test in a doctor’s office is more accurate than that found in your pharmacy. This is not true! While most doctors and midwives will repeat the test to confirm your pregnancy, this is often only done because tests have been known to be [misinterpreted at home](/how-do-pregnancy-tests-work). If you have any concerns don’t hesitate to talk to your doctor. It is recommended to see a healthcare professional right away if you experience symptoms like heavy vaginal bleeding, chronic pain, high temperature, severe headache or vision loss. **Become a Nabta Member today and get the health advice you need** \[hubspot portal=”25236204″ id=”aa291091-2628-4919-b480-338384b89053″ type=”form”\] Nabta is reshaping women’s healthcare. We support women with their personal health journeys, from everyday wellbeing to the uniquely female experiences of fertility, pregnancy, and [menopause](https://nabtahealth.com/glossary/menopause/). Get in [touch](/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#ec958d80808dac828d8e988d84898d809884c28f8381) if you have any questions about this article or any aspect of women’s health. We’re here for you. **Sources:** * “Signs and Symptoms of Pregnancy.” _NHS_, [www.nhs.uk/conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/signs-and-symptoms-pregnancy/](http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/signs-and-symptoms-pregnancy/).
