Pregnancy Symptoms Week 1

For most women, especially for those who aren’t planning a pregnancy, week one goes by without them realizing they are pregnant. Even week 2 may go undetected. Lots of women’s monthly cycles are variable, so most women assume that when their monthly menstrual cycle is late, it’s just that — late. There aren’t any immediate, obvious pregnancy symptoms during the first week, but there are signs such as fatigue, loss of interest in things, mood swings, and the constant need to urinate. However, most women attribute these symptoms to PMS, rather than assuming they are pregnant.

The menstrual cycle lasts for approximately 28 days, although it can be as short as 24 days or as long as 35. It begins when an egg leaves the ovary and travels into the fallopian tubes, where it’s met by sperm and fertilized. From there the fertilized egg travels through the fallopian tubes and into the uterus, where implantation occurs.
Some people speculate a woman isn’t really pregnant during the first week of pregnancy, since fertilization takes place during the second week. This is the main reason why so many pregnancies go undetected during the first week.

Changes in Your Body at 1 Week Pregnant

Again, no noticeable physical changes take place during the first week, although many internal changes are happening. Common symptoms include digestive problems like gas, constipation, tender breasts, fatigue, mood swings, morning sickness, and hormonal changes. These symptoms vary from woman to woman, and most women don’t feel these changes until after the second week. Doctors advise that the first week of pregnancy is your “get out of jail free week.” If your diet isn’t perfect, or if you have a glass of wine with dinner, your pregnancy isn’t likely to be significantly affected.

Your Baby’s Development

During the first week of pregnancy there’s no major development of the baby, other than the egg leaving the ovary and traveling to the fallopian tubes. You’re not actually pregnant at this time, since conception itself doesn’t happen until about two weeks after your period ends. Still, this week is included in the pregnancy calendar to help the doctor calculate the first day of your last monthly menstrual cycle. It’s from this day that the nine-month cycle (or 40 weeks in medical terms) is calculated, and your EDD (expected due date) is determined.

Now is a great time to begin focusing on aspects of your lifestyle and your nutrition. First, and foremost, take folic acid. Folic acid is essential to your baby’s development during the first few weeks of pregnancy. Eat plenty of green vegetables, legumes, fortified cereals and grains. Your nutrition over the next nine months will be directly correlated to the health and well being of your baby. Your diet should also include foods containing B vitamins, or take a pregnancy multivitamin containing vitamins B1, B2, B5, B6, B12. All of these B vitamins can aid in conception as well as benefit the growth and healthy development of your baby. Exercise will also keep you, and your partner healthy. Regular exercise will allow your body to operate with optimum functionality, which can increase your chances of conceiving. Also, you and your partner should make a conscious effort to steer clear of alcoholic beverages.

Drinking can reduce the chances of conceiving, and if conception does occur, it can affect the health and development of your child. Alcohol does not only affect female fertility, but it adversely affects male fertility as well. Alcohol has adverse effects on the quantity and quality of sperm, and drinking heavily can cause impotence. So reach for nonalcoholic beverages if you are trying to conceive. You want to ensure you’re in the best of health, both mentally and physically. This is a lot to think about but don’t fret, this is a process to enjoy, let the stresses of your life fall to the wayside. It is easy to worry about finances, what your family and friends are telling you, and the amount of time it is taking to conceive, but remember: there is no perfect time to become parents. Being parents to your child and/or children is about so much more than what you can offer materially, and is a decision that only you and your partner can make together. Remember, RELAX.