Pregnancy starts with conception: the union of egg and sperm. The fertilized egg cell passes down the fallopian tubes to the womb, implanting itself settling in the uterine wall. Here it grows rapidly. At first it’s called an embryo, while after 8 weeks one speaks of a foetus. The pregnancy lasts 40 weeks, starting to count from the first day of your last period.

I have done a pregnancy test and it proves I am pregnant. Should I visit my GP?
I have had a relationship for 2 years and really would like a child, but is 18 not too young?
I’m pregnant but smoke a package a day. Is this a problem?

See also: pregnancy symptoms, pregnancy test and ectopic pregnancy