How Is Your Baby Developing This Month
After conception, the fertilized egg travels along the fallopian tube to the uterus, where it will implant in the uterine lining. The egg divides into a bunch of cells, some of which become the embryo and some of which eventually become the placenta, which will provide nourishment for your baby during your pregnancy. The umbilical cord also forms between the embryo and the placenta, delivering nutrients and removing waste. The upcoming month is a time of rapid growth for your little one, as internal organs, bones, and tiny limbs are beginning to form.One quick note on the terminology you might see when reading up on baby development: During the first eight weeks, your little one may be referred to as an embryo in medica circles, whereas after this point your baby may be called a fetus until she is born.
What Are Five Common Signs Of Pregnancy
There are several signs of early pregnancy that you could experience. Not everyone will have all of these symptoms, and some women may not feel any of these things. Pregnancy symptoms throughout the entire pregnancy can vary dramatically between women. Its important not to compare your pregnancy to someone elses.
Common early pregnancy symptoms can include:
Final Thoughts: Things To Keep In Mind
The bottom line is that without a blood test, its nearly impossible to know for sure whether youre pregnant or experiencing a late period. Even home pregnancy tests can sometimes give a false negative, if taken too early, so its really smart to wait to take a test until or after your expected period.
If youre paying attention to your symptoms, just know that it can get a little stressful for some women. So if you find yourself symptom spotting, try to be aware of how often you do it, and how you feel does it distract you or stress you out? If it starts to get emotionally taxing for you, look for ways to stop paying attention to your symptoms.
Finally, make sure youve scheduled a pregnancy blood test, and keep taking your prenatal vitamins! Whether its sooner or later, when you get that BFP, youll be glad you did!
Also Check: Can You Donate Plasma When Pregnant
What To Do If You Experience Pregnancy Discrimination
Once you have told your boss the good news, be sure to keep your employer in the loop about your physical needs and limitations as your pregnancy progresses.;
If your boss does treat you differently because you’re expecting, report discrimination in writing to your HR department. Be sure to include details such as the date, time, who you spoke to and what transpired.;
If your HR department ignores or does not fully address your complaint,;file a charge of discrimination with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission;. Doing so is more than worth the effort it takes .
Just know that proving discrimination can be challenging in court. Under the PDA, you must show that a coworker who’s not pregnant but has comparable temporary limitations got better treatment than you did.;
Doing so might be easier if you take detailed notes with dates of how your employer treats you versus other employees who’ve asked for temporary accommodations.
The good news: More people are aware of pregnancy discrimination in the U.S. now than ever before, and women have won discrimination lawsuits.;The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act;, currently in Congress, seeks to close loopholes in the PDA. About;25 states, the District of Columbia and four cities have already passed similar laws to the PWFA.
Listen to the What to Expect Podcast for more about when and how to reveal your pregnancy:
Do Individual States Have Pregnancy
Keep in mind the PDA, ADA, and FMLA are nationwide regulations and the bare minimum of what your workplace must provide. Several states have enacted their own legislation, which may provide you with additional protections.
States With Pregnancy Employment Laws
- Alaska.
You can learn about the specific regulations of your state here.
Also Check: How Common Is Getting Pregnant With An Iud
When Should I Call My Doctor About A New Pregnancy
If you have missed a period, taken a pregnancy test and gotten a positive result, your next step will be to call your healthcare provider for your first appointment. While scheduling, your provider may ask if you have already started taking a prenatal vitamin with at least 400mcg of folic acid. These vitamins are important in early pregnancy because they help in the development of your babys neural tube. The neural tube will become the brain and spine. Many healthcare providers recommend that any women who could become pregnant take folic acid at all times.
If you are planning a pregnancy, a preconception appointment with your healthcare provider is a good place to start. A preconception appointment is especially important if you take medication for a chronic illness or have other medical conditions like diabetes, hypertension or lupus.
During this appointment, your provider will discuss any current medical conditions, as well as your general health before pregnancy. This appointment is meant to get you into the best place for a new pregnancy.
Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 04/01/2020.
References
Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services.Policy
When Will You Experience Pregnancy Symptoms
One factor to consider is the fact that many of the earliest signs of pregnancy are the same symptoms you might have right before your period.
With that in mind, you probably won’t experience significant symptoms before your missed period. Most classic pregnancy symptoms dont start until one or two weeks after conception at the very earliest. Many women dont notice anything until one or two weeks after their missed period .
Also Check: Can You Smoke Weed While Being Pregnant
Morning Sickness Nausea And Vomiting During Early Pregnancy
Nausea and morning sickness usually develops around weeks 4 to 6. Although its called morning sickness, it can occur any time during the day or night. Its unclear exactly what causes nausea and morning sickness, but hormones may play a role.
During the first trimester of pregnancy, many women experience mild to severe morning sickness. It may become more intense toward the end of the first trimester, but often becomes less severe as you enter the second trimester.
Telling Your Employees Youre Pregnant
If you own your own business or have employees that you supervise, be aware they may feel anxious about how your pregnancy may affect their personal work, or how things will run when youre on leave. Their feelings deserve respect and you should use the utmost care when sharing your news.
Ideally, you will share your news personally with your direct reports, assuring them that you will have clear plans in place to ensure your leave is not burdensome to them. Depending on the employee, you may also frame it as an opportunity for them to take on a more advanced role in the company, giving them the chance to prepare for career advancement.
Once the most critical people have been notified of your pregnancy, feel free to share the news more widely at a staff meeting or in an email. Again, reiterate you will have clear plans in place to ensure your absence has the least amount of impact on the company and your individual employees.
Read Also: What Should I Take If I M Trying To Get Pregnant
Video: How To Confirm Pregnancy Without Taking A Test
While pregnancy tests are the sought after option, there are a few ways by which you can know with reasonable certainty that you are pregnant. In this article, we will ;look at;how to confirm your pregnancy without a test, for the benefit of expecting parents.
Also Read: How and When to Take a Pregnancy Test
When Should I Announce My Pregnancy At Work
It is entirely up to you when you want to announce your pregnancy. Most women choose to wait until after the first trimester when their risk of miscarriage drops significantly. This helps avoid awkward, uncomfortable, or intimate personal conversations in the event that you do have a miscarriage within the first 13 weeks.
However, you may choose to disclose your pregnancy to your supervisor earlier if you are suffering from severe morning sickness that is interfering with your job performance. While you may not be ready to share your condition widely with the whole office, sharing on a need-to-know basis may be necessary.
If youre not one to make a dramatic announcement or you have your reasons for wanting to hide your pregnancy for as long as possible, you may again consider notifying the powers that be earlier than sharing with the general public.
If you plan to take lengthy maternity leave, it takes quite a bit of planning and it is a common courtesy to notify coworkers who may be affected to give them a reasonable amount of time to plan for your absence.
Give At Least A Month
Don’t Miss: How Many Days To Check Pregnancy
What If I Have A Positive Pregnancy Test And Then Start Bleeding
About 25-30% of pregnant women experience some type of spotting or;bleeding in early pregnancy. This can be a result of many different;factors including implantation bleeding, infection, cervical irritation,;ectopic pregnancy or a threatened;miscarriage.
Many women who have this light bleeding go on to have normal pregnancies;and healthy babies. About half of the women who experience some light;bleeding will go on to have heavier bleeding that will ultimately;result in miscarriage.Unfortunately, there is no way to predict whether or not vaginal bleeding will progress to miscarriage. If you experience light bleeding that continues to get heavier, accompanied by painful;cramping, back pain or stabbing pains, then you would want to seek;medical attention right away.
If you experience some very slight spotting that then goes away,;you would want to make sure to share this with your healthcare provider;so that they are fully informed of everything you are experiencing;in your pregnancy.
My Stomach Feels Weirddoes Your Stomach Hurt In Early Pregnancy
It depends on what you mean by hurt.
In general, the kinds of pain youll experience in your belly or lower abdomen in early pregnancy are related to:
- Nausea usually happens between two and eight weeks after conception2
- Cramping these can feel similar to pre-menstrual cramps and can be a sign of implantation2
- Bloating and abdominal discomfort similar to PMS symptoms
Below I talk a little more about nausea, which is common in early pregnancy .
So in the sense of feeling nauseous, yes, your stomach can hurt. Some women also feel some light cramping at the very beginning of their pregnancy, which may or may not be accompanied by spotting . This usually occurs around the predicted time of the period or a couple of days before.
You May Like: What Causes Spotting In Early Pregnancy
Changes To Your Body At 1 Month Pregnant
You probably wonât be noticing any changes to your body just yet, but that doesnât mean there isnât a lot going on under the surface. At this point, itâs important to prepare your body for pregnancy and childbirth by paying attention to your overall health and nutrition. This often means taking a multivitamin supplement to make sure you have all the nutrients you and your little one will need for the months ahead. Talk to your healthcare provider at your first prenatal visit to make sure youâre getting the right amounts of the right vitamins. It can also be helpful to begin or continue an exercise routine this month. Check in with your provider to make sure your favorite activities are safe during pregnancy, but in general, getting regular exercise can help build the strength and endurance youâll need throughout your pregnancy.
How Soon Can I Take A Pregnancy Test
You should wait at least one to two weeks after you have sex to take a home pregnancy test. That is the earliest the test will detect levels of human chorionic gonadotropin , a hormone produced during pregnancy.
If you take a test too early, it may not yet be able to detect hCG. If possible, you should wait and test the week after you miss your period.
After getting a positive home pregnancy test, see a doctor and let them know. They will be able to confirm the pregnancy and discuss next steps in your prenatal care.
You May Like: When Can You Find Out You Are Pregnant
Do You Think Johnny Will Be There Today
Remind your child of the friends they will see when they get to school.
If you’re not sure who your child is bonding with, ask the teacher. On the way to school, talk about the children they can expect to see and try asking what they might do together.
If your child is new to the school, it might help to arrange a playdate with a child in their class to help them form strong relationships.
What If I Cant Do My Job While Pregnant
If for some reason you find yourself completely unable to do your job while pregnant, you still have some options. You can ask for a temporary reassignment, reduced hours, or light duty but you may also be subject to reduced pay if you are no longer doing your regular job.
If you have a health condition that precludes you from working at all, you may be able to take unpaid leave as a pregnancy accommodation, or qualify for FMLA leave, which is also unpaid leave but preserves your job while you are off work.
Take Note
Also Check: What To Expect When 10 Weeks Pregnant
How Do You Know When Youre Pregnant
You may be pregnant if:
- You miss your period.
- Your breasts are big and sore. The area around your nipples gets darker.
- You have to urinate a lot.
- You feel sick to your stomach or throw up.
- You feel tired all the time.
- You feel moody.
- You feel bloated. This means your body feels full or like its swollen.
If you have any of these signs and symptoms and you think you may be pregnant, take a home pregnancy test and call your health care provider. Sometimes home pregnancy tests can give you a false-positive result.; Your provider can confirm if you really are pregnant by giving you a blood test and a physical exam.
How Soon You Can Take A Pregnancy Test
Step back from the supermarket shelves; you should wait until the first day of a missed period before you do a pregnancy test . This is usually about two weeks after you think you conceived. So get your diary out and start counting.
Too keen to wait? Some tests are more sensitive than others and can be taken earlier . This might be four or five days before your period is due .
If you can though, its most reliable to wait for the first day of your missed period. And that way you wont get any upset from an inaccurate result.
Don’t Miss: When To Call Doctor When First Pregnant
What’s The Soonest You Can Find Out If You’re Pregnant
The only way to know for sure that you’re pregnant is through a positive pregnancy test. The earliest home pregnancy test is accurate up to six days before the day of your missed period for 76% of women who take the test .1
So, the soonest you might be able to find out for sure that you’re pregnant is by testing with a First Response home pregnancy test no earlier than six days before the day of your missed period.
So if you’re expecting your period on a Saturday, you would be able to test the Monday before .
What Happens During Week 1
These are the first 2 weeks of your menstrual cycle. You have your period. About 2 weeks later, the egg thats most mature is released from your ovary this is called ovulation. Ovulation may happen earlier or later, depending on the length of your menstrual cycle. The average menstrual cycle is 28 days.
After its released, your egg travels down your fallopian tube toward your uterus. If the egg meets up with a sperm, they combine. This is called fertilization. Fertilization is most likely to occur when you have unprotected vaginal sex during the 6 days leading up to and including the day of ovulation.
Recommended Reading: What Can Help Me Poop While Pregnant
The Challenges Of Being Pregnant At Work
The Pregnancy Discrimination Act ;of 1978 is the federal law that protects pregnant workers from being discriminated against by their employers. The PDA covers all aspects of employment, from hiring and firing to pay, promotions, training and benefits .;
It also stipulates that if you’re pregnant and unable to do any part of your job , your employer is required to provide reasonable accommodation for you just as they would for a temporarily disabled employee.
That said, there are a number of loopholes in the PDA. And, unfortunately, many expecting American women do find they’re treated differently, either obviously or more subtly .;
So in addition to heading off possible discriminatory treatment, planning your announcement may help you make a better case to your employer for locking in the time off that you need .;
So How Do I Know That I Am Pregnant
Well, some of my symptoms are textbook: nausea, swollen boobs, and excessive saliva.;My body also tends to hurt like I have the flu when I am pregnant. But, the most telling sign of a pregnancy for me is the random passing out. There is usually a sudden onset of exhaustion and then I pass out I dont faint, I just fall asleep. Hard. And I wake up covered in drool. From that moment on, I know I am pregnant.
If I wanted to, I could hide a pregnancy from others for quite a long time. I dont start to show for months and could blame my upset stomach on pre-existing tummy troubles. What I cant hide is the exhaustion, avoidance of wine, and frequent trips to the bathroom. Both times I was pregnant my Mom suspected before I even told her.;She has some great pregnancy sense I tell ya.;
Since I am terrible at lying to my loved ones, weve told our families pretty quickly that we were going to have a baby. For everyone else, we waited until the recommended 12-16 weeks. It was always hard to hide the fact that I was pregnant, but totally worth it for everyones reactions and knowing the baby was healthy.
Who knows if we will have a third. Some days I totally think I want another baby, but others I wonder if we are all set with two. What do I know is that I will probably have a feeling Im pregnant before I see the plus sign on the test.
Don’t Miss: How Likely Are You To Get Pregnant After Your Period
