1 Week Pregnant

It is the most powerful creation to have life that is growing inside of you. There is no bigger gift.

– Beyonce

Your 1st week of pregnancy starts even before you conceive! That is because many OBs begin counting your pregnancy on the first day of your last period. Since ovulation and conception are difficult to detect, the physical symptoms of menstruation are much easier to keep track of. So, if you are in the first week pregnant, it means you are still on your monthly cycle and not yet pregnant.

According to doctors, conception depends on the duration of your cycle. You won’t fully conceive until week two or three.

You may think you are in your first week of pregnancy if you just find out that you are expecting, but usually, you are about four weeks along, depending on when you find out. When you go in for your first prenatal appointment, your OB will provide you a more precise estimate.

What to Expect in the First Week:

Symptoms

During your first week, the signs you are having are similar to those of your period as you are not pregnant yet. These signs can last anywhere from three to seven days and include the following:

  • Menstrual Bleeding: Your body is shedding the uterine lining that had been building up in preparation for a baby.
  • Pain and cramps in the lower back: Your uterus contracts to release the lining, causing pain in your back and abdomen.
  • Bloating: It is a problem that many people face. The rise and fall in hormone levels can induce bloating just before and/or after your cycle.
  • Mood Swings or irritability are also a common sign. Hormonal changes make you irritable and are responsible for your bad mood.
  • Headache or Migraines: Many people suffer from menstrual migraines, which are also caused by hormones. The pain can be relieved with ice packs, over-the-counter pain relievers, and relaxing exercises.

Changes in Your Body in the First Week:

Your body starts releasing last month’s uterine lining, i.e., your period, and is beginning to develop a new one. Since the previous egg was not fertilized, the uterine lining was shed. Now, the new uterine lining will contain a hopefully fertilized egg.

Between days 10 and 19 of your menstrual cycle—roughly 14 days before your next period—your body can release one (or, in extreme situations, two) eggs. After that, it can be fertilized for another 12 to 24 hours. Since sperm will remain in your body for up to six days, having sex before then can help you conceive.

The first symptoms of pregnancy will not show right away—in reality. Many women experience a missed period in the fourth week. It is when they start noticing that they feel weird or different. Though there are some early symptoms which include – breast discomfort or tenderness, lethargy, vomiting, and the need to pee – these are often the early tell-tale signs of pregnancy in the first weeks following fertilization.

There are some things to keep in mind if you think you are expecting, starting them from the first week would be the best idea. This includes starting your pregnancy at a safe weight and free of unhealthy habits like smoking and drinking alcohol. Also, you will need to limit your caffeine consumption to one cup of coffee or two a day, with the cup size being 8-ounces.

Medical Care in the First Week.

Ultrasound

It’s unlikely that you’ll get an ultrasound in the first week. If you’ve been attempting to conceive for a while and seen a fertility doctor, you might have undergone an ultrasound to search for fibroids, determine the number of follicles (which develop into eggs) in your ovaries, and/or determine the thickness of your uterus lining. If you have trouble conceiving, your doctor, to help you conceive, may recommend a fertility drug.

To-Do List in Your First Week of Pregnancy.

  • Quit smoking, drinking, and consuming too much caffeine.
  • Daily, take a prenatal vitamin containing 400 micrograms of folic acid.
  • Track your period and figure out when you’re most fertile.

Week By Week Pregnancy

Select your week