Can you be pregnant and have periods?

We took a look at the question of whether it is possible to get pregnant during your period yesterday. A topic that is at least as interesting is this can you be pregnant and still get periods? How often do you hear claims from teenage mothers to be that they had no idea that they were expecting because in fact, they were still experiencing a menstrual flow every month? But it's not just pregnant teenagers that talk about being pregnant and still getting periods. Some women swear that they still got regular periods during their pregnancies. What is myth, and what is fact? Let's take a closer look at this phenomenon!

What's a period? OK, perhaps this looks like a question too basic to even answer, but it is rather unavoidable when we are talking about a subject like getting periods in pregnancy. Menstruation occurs when an egg was not fertilized during a monthly cycle, and the uterus cleans itself out to prepare for the next round. Sometimes an egg has been fertilized but has not implanted properly for whatever reason, and menstruation still occurs. This is also called a chemical pregnancy. Pregnancy and periods do not go together. Nobody can get their period and be pregnant, unless, perhaps, they have two uteri, but I think we are moving more into the realm of science fiction here.

Although, on a more serious note, it is in fact scientifically possible to have two uteri, and it does happen to some women. Really. Look it up on the internet. That is some terrible fascinating stuff! But besides that, pregnancy and periods are mutually exclusive. It is, however, possible to experience vaginal bleeding, or early pregnancy spotting and cramping. This can sometimes be confused with menstruation, and is quite common during the first trimester of pregnancy.