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In most women, monthly cycles are variable. As a result, when you miss your cycle for the first time, you may not realize that you are pregnant. In fact, many women don’t realize that they are pregnant even in the 2nd week of pregnancy and it is perfectly normal. The first week of pregnancy is usually smooth without any obvious signs. Then, how would you know? That is exactly what this article is going to brief you about!
Your Baby’s Growth During Pregnancy – Week 1
During the first week of pregnancy, the egg moves from the ovary and travels through the fallopian tube. So, your baby does not show any significant growth in the first week. In the first week, the doctor calculates the first day of your last monthly menstrual cycle and it is from this day that your nine month or 40 weeks pregnancy term is calculated. This is why the 1st week is also included in the pregnancy calendar.
There is no major development in the baby during the first week. During this week the baby is called the blastocyte. The blastocyte is divided into two parts, the external part of which will become the placenta and the inner part will become the embryo during the 2nd week of your pregnancy. In cases, where more than one egg gets fertilized, multiple zygotes are formed. These zygotes carry 46 chromosomes from both the parents and these chromosomes determine the baby’s sex and other physical features. Amusing, isn’t it?
What is The Baby’s Size?
There is no baby size in the first week of pregnancy. You may ask ‘How/why?’ Well, that is because you are only technically pregnant in the first week! The first week is included in the pregnancy calendar because it’s basis the 1st day of your last menstrual cycle that the doctor predicts the EDD, which is the expected due date of the arrival of your little angel. Hence, the ‘1 week pregnant baby size’ is nothing. But you will move into the second week soon and we will have something to talk about. So, don’t lose the excitement!
Common Body Changes
Minor body changes start from the first week of pregnancy and they are good indicators that you may be about to add a new member to your family. Though the body changes during pregnancy vary from women to women, here are a few common changes that you may experience in the very first week of pregnancy.These include tender breasts, mood swings, exhaustion, constipation, gas in the stomach, and morning sickness. This discomfort occurs due to the hormonal changes taking place.
Symptoms of Pregnancy at Week 1
Pregnancy symptoms usually differ from woman to woman. Some common symptoms that you may come across in the first week of pregnancy are:
- During the 1st week of pregnancy, vaginal bleeding is observed as your body sheds the uterine lining which discards last month’s fertilized eggs.
- Lower back pain and cramps will also trouble you during this phase.
- Your belly will bloat right before and during your period.
- You will feel exhausted sooner than usual.
- You may experience gas and constipation.
- Your breasts will feel tender and hurt when pressed.
- Changing hormones will make you moody and irritable.
Belly at 1 Week of Pregnancy
In the first week of pregnancy, your body sheds the uterine lining with the last month’s egg and starts forming a uterine lining to hold and protect the next month’s egg, the one that may grow into a foetus. Each egg in the human body is the size of a peach fuzz but this will not show up on your belly in the first week of the pregnancy. This is because your body will release the egg 14 days before the next expected cycle and it will take another 24 hours for the egg to get fertilised. Hence, your belly is not going to show anything in the first week and you can keep the secret for the next few weeks.
1 Week Ultrasound
In case of normal pregnancies, there is no ultrasound done in the first week, but if you are going through some treatment to get pregnant, then your doctor may advise you to do an ultrasound in the 1st week to check for fibroids and follicles in the ovary. The ultrasound will also determine the thickness of your uterine lining.
What to Eat?
If you are trying to get pregnant, then it’s better you start eating healthy from day one. During pregnancy, consume extra protein and calcium for the needs of the growing foetus. Ensure that your 1st week pregnancy food includes a lot of dairy products, legumes, sweet potatoes, salmon, eggs, broccoli and dark leafy vegetables, lean meat, fish liver oil, berries, whole grains, avocado and lots and lots of water. Basically, load your meals up with food that will supply folate, zinc, calcium, iron, and fiber to your body. If you are unable to get these five critical nutrients from the food you eat then just pop in a supplement or a prenatal vitamin – after consulting your doctor, of course! A healthy you means a healthy baby!
You will be pleased to know that most doctors consider the 1st week of pregnancy as the guilt-free week of pregnancy where you really don’t have to worry about your diet. So, indulge till your doctor breaks the good news to you!
Tips & Care
The first week of pregnancy is a week of joy and anticipation at the same time. While you revel in the moment of welcoming a new member in your life, there are a few tips that you may want to follow.
Do’s:
- The moment you realize that you are pregnant or if you observe any of the symptoms mentioned above, consult an Ob-Gyn to understand all about genetic diseases and the risk of environmental hazards.
- Start the intake of prenatal vitamin with 400 mcg folic acids every day.
- Consult your doctor and bring all the necessary change in your lifestyle and eating habits.
Don’ts:
- Stop drinking, smoking or intake of any drugs immediately.
- Don’t take any medicines for any illness without consulting your doctor. If you are on medicines already, stop them right away and start taking them again only with your doctor’s permission.
What to Shop For
Since in the first week of pregnancy you are just about pregnant, there isn’t really too much to shop for. Some of you may not even realize that you are pregnant in the first week. But if you have been planning a baby for long and do realize in the very first week that you are pregnant, then add a pregnancy book to your shopping list to read and know all you want to about pregnancy and its phases. If your breasts feel sore, then get yourself comfortable cotton bras. Your skin will start getting drier sooner than you know it, so, buy yourself a good moisturiser. And finally, if cramps and backache have already started troubling you, then you may want to include a body pillow to your shopping list. Congratulations, you are all set for the for the first 2 to 3 weeks of pregnancy!
Next Week: 2 Weeks Pregnant
