As a teenager, it can feel like everyone talks about pregnancy without really explaining how it works. The truth is that becoming pregnant requires several steps to line up, and it does not happen just because your body is changing. It only happens when there is ovulation and sperm enters the body during unprotected sex.

In each menstrual cycle, the body usually releases one egg. This is called ovulation. The egg can only be fertilized for about one day. That means the “fertile window” is actually quite short. Sperm, however, can live in the body for several days. So if someone has unprotected sex around that time, a sperm cell may reach the egg.

If a sperm manages to enter the egg, fertilization begins. The two cells join together and start developing. The tiny cluster of cells then moves slowly toward the uterus and tries to attach to the lining. A pregnancy officially begins only when it successfully attaches. This means that even if an egg is fertilized, it doesn’t always lead to pregnancy. The body has its own way of deciding what continues and what doesn’t.

Pregnancy isn’t something that happens randomly just because you’re young. It requires both ovulation and sperm reaching the egg. That’s why protection like condoms or birth control is important for anyone who wants to avoid pregnancy.

Alma’s Tips

When it comes to pregnancy and your body, I want you to know something: you’re not supposed to have all the answers right now. It’s completely natural to feel unsure or curious about how everything works. Your body is changing, and that can bring up questions — that’s human. If you ever want to talk about protection, periods, sex or what’s normal, you can always come to me. I won’t judge you. I’ll help you understand things gently, at your pace, so you can feel safe in your own body.