Pregnancy Week 1 Belly
Your first week of pregnancy, or the following few weeks, wont show you a baby bump. Due to hormone changes associated with menstruation, you might feel a bit bloated due to fluid retention this week. Women may also experience cramps and abdominal tenderness during their period.
Menstruation symptoms vary from woman to woman, and what youre experiencing should be similar to previous periods.
Dos And Don’ts For The First Week
If the woman has fallen pregnant unintentionally, it is likely that she won’t have changed any habits during the weeks prior to taking the positive pregnancy test.
However, if trying to get pregnant, whether naturally or through a fertility treatment, women should start taking care of themselves and prepare the body for a future pregnancy. Here are some basic tips:
When Should You Take A Pregnancy Test
Its usually recommended that you take a pregnancy test after youve missed your period. This is because pregnancy tests measure the level of human chorionic gonadotrophin in your body, which is a hormone that starts to build up when you conceive. It can take around three to four weeks from the first day of your last period for there to be enough hCG in your body to show up on a test.
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Track Your Ovulation To Pinpoint Your Most Fertile Days
Before and during ovulation, your body experiences certain changes some you may physically notice and track in your app, but other changes cant be detected without the right tools. Depending on how long youve been trying to conceive, one or more of the following methods can be used to help identify your ovulation window:
Monitor cervical mucus changes
Before ovulation, your cervical mucus can be yellow, white or cloudy in color, and gluey or stretchy in consistency. But as you approach ovulation, you may find that your mucus has become more clear, watery and slippery. For many, the consistency can remind them of egg whites.
That clear, slippery mucus will stay during ovulation. This is your bodys way of helping sperm reach the uterus. The amount of cervical mucus may increase as well.
Record your basal body temperature
Your basal body temperature is your bodys resting temperature. And tracking your BBT daily for a couple of months may help you predict when youll ovulate.
Just before ovulation, your BBT may decrease slightly. After ovulation, it may increase slightly typically less than a half degree Fahrenheit and stay elevated for a few days. If youve conceived, your BBT may stay elevated for the remainder of your pregnancy.
The best time to check your BBT is right after waking up in the morning before any other activity such as getting out of bed, eating, drinking or going to the bathroom.
Use an ovulation testing kit
Your Baby’s Development At 1 Week

While there isn’t a baby growing yet, your body is getting ready for pregnancy. During your menstrual period, the uterine lining sheds along with the unfertilized egg from the last cycle.
After three to seven days of menstruation, your ovaries begin to prepare the egg that will be released at ovulation, and the lining of your uterus begins to thicken to accept that egg once it’s fertilized. If all goes well, you will conceive around week 3.
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What Are The Earliest Signs Of Pregnancy
Some symptoms to watch for before you miss your period are sore breasts, fatigue, sensitivity to smell, food aversions, nausea, and more frequent urination. Keep in mind, however, that it’s very likely you will have no symptoms.
One study found that 50% of women showed no symptoms at five weeks after conception, 30% had none six weeks after conception, and 10% still didn’t have any at two months after conception!3
Below there are three tables.
- One is the signs of pregnancy you might experience before you miss your period.
- The next is the most commonly reported first signs of pregnancy, so you can get a sense of how common these symptoms are.
- The third shows 14 signs of pregnancy you might experience within the first three weeks after conception to get a better look at some other symptom possibilities.
What Are The Most Common Early Signs Of Pregnancy
- Missed period. If youre in your childbearing years and a week or more has passed without the start of an expected menstrual cycle, you might be pregnant. However, this symptom can be misleading if you have an irregular menstrual cycle.
- Tender, swollen breasts. Early in pregnancy hormonal changes might make your breasts sensitive and sore. The discomfort will likely decrease after a few weeks as your body adjusts to hormonal changes.
- Nausea with or without vomiting. Morning sickness, which can strike at any time of the day or night, often begins one month after you become pregnant. However, some women feel nausea earlier and some never experience it. While the cause of nausea during pregnancy isnt clear, pregnancy hormones likely play a role.
- Increased urination. You might find yourself urinating more often than usual. The amount of blood in your body increases during pregnancy, causing your kidneys to process extra fluid that ends up in your bladder.
- Fatigue. Fatigue also ranks high among early symptoms of pregnancy. During early pregnancy, levels of the hormone progesterone soar which might make you feel sleepy.
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Week 1 Pregnant Ultrasound: Do You Need It
You dont really need an ultrasound during the first week of pregnancy. However, your doctor might perform one if you havent had a pre-conceptional checkup or if youve had trouble conceiving. At this point, an ultrasound can help diagnose anatomical abnormalities that might make it harder for you to conceive, such as fibroids or polycystic ovarian syndrome.
Limit Toxin Exposure At Home And At Work
From cleaning products to cosmetics, you encounter toxins every day many of which can be harmful to reproductive health. While you may not be able to eliminate exposure to certain toxins, there are steps you can take to minimize or avoid exposure. Some tips include:
- Avoid secondhand smoke whenever possible
- Ditch chemical-based household cleaners and make your own using vinegar and water
- Avoid heavy use of in-home air fresheners
- Dont overuse aerosol sprays
- Drink filtered water
- Dont spray for bugs and rodents inside your home: Keep your home clean, use bait traps and hire only a licensed pest control expert
- Always rinse vegetables and fruits with warm water or scrub with a clean brush if needed. Produce labeled pre-washed or ready to eat does not need to be rinsed.
- Use BPA-free products
- Talk to your company about potential toxins you may be exposed to in the workplace
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How Far Along Am I
Knowing how far along you are in pregnancy is helpful for both you and your healthcare provider. Your provider will use this information to check on your babyâs growth and development, keep an eye on your health, and schedule tests and exams.The weeks of pregnancy can be grouped into three trimesters:
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First trimester: 1 to 13 weeks
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Second trimester: 14 to 27 weeks
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Third trimester: 28 to 40-42 weeks .
Check out the illustration below to see how far along you are in your pregnancy:
Other Considerations For Your Pregnancy Symptoms
Some early pregnancy symptoms are very similar to other health conditions or problems. Common symptoms, such as bloating or nausea, can be easily mistaken as an early sign of pregnancy when they are due to other potential causes. Speak to your doctor if you are unsure whether your symptoms are a sign of early pregnancy or related to an unknown health condition.
Missed periods could be caused by:
- Irregular menstrual cycle
Breast changes could happen from:
- Early period
Mood swings could be caused by:
- Diet and lifestyle changes
Nausea and fatigue could also be:
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St Week Of Pregnancy With Your Baby
During the first week of pregnancy, you wont see your baby yet. An egg inside your ovaries will begin to develop and mature in the first days of pregnancy, ready to be released if its fertilized. Its during your period when about 20 eggs can still be found inside the ovarian follicles, and this is when they begin preparing for your next period. More than one egg will rarely be released into the fallopian tubes during a cycle.
While theres no baby yet to measure, your body is preparing to conceive. During the first week of pregnancy, a womans egg becomes mature, making it the giant single cell in her body.
During your first few days of pregnancy, your body will begin to go through the cycle known as the ovarian cycle. It usually starts at the same time as your period. The hormone called follicle-stimulating hormone stimulates immature follicles to prepare for ovulation at first.
One egg becomes dominant between days 5 and 7 of your cycle. It is usually the egg with the most potent blood supply and produces more estrogen. Your uterine lining will also thicken due to estrogen.
A dominant egg matures and waits for ovulation during the follicular phase.
Other Early Symptoms Of Pregnancy

Pregnancy brings changes in your hormonal balance. And that can cause other symptoms that include:
- Frequent urination. For many women, this starts around the sixth or eighth week after conception. Although this could be caused by a urinary tract infection, diabetes, or using diuretics, if you’re pregnant, it’s most likely due to hormonal levels.
- Constipation. During pregnancy, higher levels of the hormone progesterone can make you constipated. Progesterone causes food to pass more slowly through your intestines. To ease the problem, drink plenty of water, exercise, and eat plenty of high-fiber foods.
- Mood swings. These are common, especially during the first trimester. These are also related to changes in hormones.
- Headaches and back pain. Many pregnant women report frequent mild headaches, and others experience back pain.
- Dizziness and fainting. These may be related to dilating blood vessels, lower blood pressure, and lower blood sugar.
A pregnant woman could have all of these symptoms, or maybe have only one or two. If any of these symptoms become bothersome, talk with your doctor about them so you can make a plan to offset them.
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What Is The Fertile Window
Your fertile window is the time during your cycle when your chances of conceiving are at their highest.
When is the fertile window?
Your fertile window occurs midway through your cycle.
The length of your menstrual cycle helps determine the length and timing of your fertile window. Your period marks the first day of your cycle the average cycle length is 28 days, but it can range from 21 to 35 days. So, depending on your cycle, your fertile window can be anywhere from six to 10 days in length.
How Early Can You Tell If Youre Pregnant
Again, youll need to take a pregnancy test at the right time to confirm your hopes or suspicions. But when it comes to the first symptoms of pregnancy, everyone is different. Some people start to notice changes within a week after conception. Others might not notice anything until they miss their period.
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Will You Notice Any Pregnancy Symptoms During Weeks 1 2 Or 3
During weeks one, two, or three, you may not even suspect youâre pregnant and you might not notice any pregnancy symptoms at all, as itâs still very early. Donât worryâthis is common .Missing a period is often the first clue that you may be pregnant, and around the time you miss a periodâor a little laterâyou may start noticing those very early pregnancy symptoms. One common early pregnancy symptom is implantation bleeding, which is light spotting that occurs when the tiny ball of cells attaches to the uterine lining. Not everyone experiences it, but this light bleeding is normal and can sometimes be mistaken for menstrual blood. It usually happens 10 to 14 days after conception.Other signs of pregnancy in the first month can include
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frequent urination.
Morning sickness is another common symptom of early pregnancy, but it usually crops up between weeks 4 and 9.Now that you know these early signs of pregnancy, take our quiz to test your knowledge!
Can You Feel Pregnant Before You Miss Your Period
Yes, you can feel pregnant before you miss your period. Some people say theyve felt pregnancy symptoms within a week of conception .
Could I have the symptoms of early pregnancy and not be pregnant?
Many of the symptoms of early pregnancy overlap with other medical conditions, as well as your typical menstrual cycle. Premenstrual symptoms can be very similar to pregnancy symptoms. This can make it difficult to tell the difference. You can also miss a period and not be pregnant. This can happen when you lose or gain a lot of weight or are stressed. Breastfeeding can also cause your period to stop.
The best way to know youre pregnant is to take a pregnancy test. Pregnancy tests are available at your local pharmacy or grocery store without a prescription.
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What Precautions Should You Take During Early Pregnancy
Even if you havenât spotted any signs of pregnancy very early on, youâll want to do everything you can to stay healthy and safe. In fact, itâs always wise to take some precautions as soon as you start trying to conceive or learn that youâre pregnant.Even simple adjustments can help support you as you start your pregnancy! Though youâll want to consult your healthcare provider to determine whatâs best for you, some worthwhile lifestyle changes and precautions include
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taking folic acid.
When you start trying for a baby or learn that youâre pregnant, folic acid is essential, as itâs a B vitamin that helps reduce the risk of certain birth defects that affect the babyâs brain and spine. Your healthcare provider can recommend a prenatal vitamin that contains at least 400 micrograms of folic acid. Pre-pregnancy is also a great time to eliminate some less healthy habits, including
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exposure to secondhand smoke
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drinking alcohol.
In addition, your provider may recommend limiting your daily consumption of caffeine. Talk with your healthcare provider about the best ways to stay healthy and safe when youâre pregnant. For more general advice, download our pregnancy guide!
How Soon Can You Get Morning Sickness
Although it’s called morning sickness, symptoms can occur at any time during the day or night. Some women start feeling nausea as early as two weeks into their pregnancy.
For others, morning sickness starts a few months after conceiving the child. Many pregnant women experience morning sickness during their first trimester. Some women have morning sickness throughout the length of their pregnancy.
In rare instances, morning sickness becomes so severe that it progresses into hyperemesis gravidarum. In this condition, the vomiting and nausea caused due to morning sickness lead to severe dehydration. The woman may experience a loss of over 5% of her pre-pregnancy body weight.
If you have hyperemesis gravidarum, you may need to be hospitalized for treatment with medications and intravenous fluids. It’s essential to see a doctor when a pregnant woman has the following symptoms:
- Inability to keep liquids down
- Severe vomiting and nausea
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What Are The Early Signs Of Pregnancy
The two-week wait. Yep, there really is a term for that time between when you conceive and when you can find out whether or not youre actually pregnant by taking a pregnancy test .
During those two weeks, youre often wondering if every twinge and sensation could possibly mean youre pregnant. And really, they could. Here are the most common first signs of pregnancy.
What Are The Signs And Symptoms When You’re 3 Weeks Pregnant

When youâre 1 week âpregnant,â you havenât conceived yet, and so thereâs not much going on. That can change by the time youâre three weeks pregnant. Your belly can be a hive of activity, though you may not be able to tell.
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If the sperm and egg find each other, theyâll join up in a fallopian tube to create a single cell called a zygote in a process called fertilization.
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The zygote carries chromosomes from the mother and father and sets the first building blocks of your future babyâs genetic makeup.
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The zygote then moves down the fallopian tube and toward the uterus as it starts dividing into a larger group of cells.
Although thereâs more activity in your third week of pregnancy, will you feel anything? Probably not. However, read on to learn a bit more about those typical early symptoms of pregnancy and when you might notice them.
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What To Ask Your Doctor
If youve decided youre ready to try for a baby, its time to get a pre-conceptional checkup. Your doctor can advise you on any necessary lifestyle changes, which are the best prenatal vitamins before pregnancy, and how to calculate your estimated delivery date. If youre tracking your cycle, this information can help your doctor determine these dates.
Pregnancy is commonly divided into 3 terms, each of which takes a little more than 13 weeks. Full-term babies are born from 39 weeks to 40 weeks and 6/7 weeks of gestation. And if youre pregnant with twins, it is advisable to deliver twins at 38 completed weeks’ gestation or later to avoid neonatal complications. Keeping track of your cycle will allow your doctor to be certain of these dates even before the first ultrasound.
Even though theres no baby during the first week of pregnancy, your body is already preparing itself for conception. That means that there are already many things you can do to improve your chances of having a healthy pregnancy. Follow a healthy lifestyle during the first days of pregnancy and youll be taking care of your baby even before its here!