What Are The First Few Weeks Of Pregnancy Like

Does Lower Abdomen Get Hard In Early Pregnancy

8 Weeks Pregnant – Flu During Early Pregnancy

Hard stomach during pregnancy

Your hard-feeling stomach is caused by the pressure of your uterus growing and putting pressure on your abdomen. Although more common in the third trimester, in the second or third trimester of pregnancy, discomfort can come from labor contractions or Braxton-Hicks contractions.

Week Pregnant For Men

Listen up, men! If you and your partner are trying to conceive, you can help increase the chances of conception in the next week or two.

Cutting back on caffeine, alcohol, smoking, and unhealthy processed foods can have a positive impact on your health and fertility.

Here are some other things you should know that can give you a boost right now.

  • Stress can interfere with sperm production. Get plenty of sleep and try relaxation techniques like massage or acupressure to help relieve stress. Reducing your caffeine intake can help give your adrenals a break.
  • Studies have shown men who eat soy foods could have a lower sperm concentration than men who dont eat soy foods. Avoid soy!
  • Another study published in Fertility and Sterility showed your mobile phone might also affect your fertility. They found men who used a hands-free device with a cell phone and kept their phone close to their testicles had impaired sperm quality.
  • Tight-fitting underwear or environments where overheating can occur for example, a hot spa can also have a negative impact on sperm production.
  • Although not necessary to guarantee conception,female orgasm can certainly improve the chances of a fertilized ovum implanting successfully.
  • Maintaining intimacy and connection while planning to conceive, and during pregnancy, is very important.

The TRUTH About Natural Birth

What Other Changes Can I Expect During The First Trimester

Frequent urination. Towards the end of the first trimester, you will feel like urinating more often. This is because your growing uterus pushes on your bladder. You may even leak a little urine when you cough or sneeze.

Lightheadedness. Your body is working overtime to make extra blood to support your baby. This can cause you to feel dizzy or lightheaded. Hunger, weakness, or stress can cause these symptoms as well.

Heartburn. The muscles that break down food become more relaxed during pregnancy. Hormone changes also slow down this process. Food also stays in your stomach longer to give your body more time to absorb nutrients. All these things can cause or worsen heartburn.

Constipation. You should be taking a daily prenatal vitamin that contains iron. The iron in the vitamin can lead to constipation. The slow process of breaking down food also can cause constipation, gas, and bloating. Your doctor may suggest taking fiber supplements or a stool softener to provide relief. Make sure you drink plenty of water . Tell your doctor if you have severe problems. They may switch you to a different prenatal vitamin.

Visible veins. Your body makes extra blood and your heart pumps faster to meet the needs of pregnancy. This can cause the blue veins in your belly, breasts, and legs to become more noticeable. You may develop spider veins on your face, neck, or arms. These are tiny blood vessels that branch out from a central area, like the legs of a spider.

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What Do Early Pregnancy Cramps Feel Like

Early pregnancy cramps usually feel like pulling or stretching in the belly. Theyre often more of an ache than a pain, and you might find them similar to menstrual cramps. You may notice them when you change positions or when you sneeze or cough. If theyre mild and you dont have any other symptoms, theyre probably no cause for alarm.

But, there are some signs that what youre experiencing may not be your average cramping in early pregnancy and that theres a problem. They include:

  • Severe pain
  • Pain that doesnt go away
  • Cramping sensations in the vagina
  • Bleeding or unusual discharge

Pregnancy Glow And Acne During Early Pregnancy

Pin on baby shower

Many people may begin saying you have the pregnancy glow. The combination of increased blood volume and higher hormone levels pushes more blood through your vessels. This causes the bodys oil glands to work overtime.

This increased activity of your bodys oil glands gives your skin a flushed, glossy appearance. On the other hand, you may also develop acne.

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Frequent Urination And Incontinence During Early Pregnancy

During pregnancy, your body increase the amount of blood it pumps. This causes the kidney to process more fluid than usual, which leads to more fluid in your bladder.

Hormones also play a large role in bladder health. You may find yourself running to the bathroom more frequently or accidentally leaking.

Week 1 Pregnant Belly

There wont really be a baby bump during the first week of your pregnancy, or really, for the next few weeks. Since youll be menstruating during this week, it is possible that hormonal changes might make you feel a bit bloated due to fluid retention. Other women experience cramps during their menstruation or abdominal tenderness.

Every woman has different symptoms during their period, and this one shouldnt be any different from your previous menstruations

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What Is Morning Sickness

Morning sickness consists of nausea and vomiting. It is caused by pregnancy hormones. Many pregnant people have it to some degree in their first trimester. Despite what it sounds, morning sickness can occur at any time of day. Certain foods or smells might make you feel sick and sometimes vomit. Some people seem to feel sicker when their stomachs are empty. Morning sickness usually goes away by the second trimester.

There are over-the-counter vitamins and herbal supplements that may help with morning sickness. Taking vitamin B6 may help with nausea, even though it may not prevent vomiting. Ginger supplements also may relieve nausea.

Quick Answer: What Does The First Few Weeks Of Pregnancy Feel Like

Very First Signs of Pregnancy – Two Week Wait Symptoms
  • Is white discharge a sign of period coming or pregnancy?
  • For a lot of people, the first sign of pregnancy is a missed period.

    Other early pregnancy symptoms include feeling tired, feeling bloated, peeing more than usual, mood swings, nausea, and tender or swollen breasts.

    Not everyone has all of these symptoms, but its common to have at least 1 of them.

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    Your Feelings And Emotions During Pregnancy

    During pregnancy you will probably feel many ups and downs. You may experience some or all of these emotions :

    • surprise if your pregnancy is unexpected. You may then feel joy or fear or both
    • happiness, particularly if you have been trying to have baby and you feel well
    • anger, which can result from your bodys hormonal changes, from a sense of being vulnerable, or from pregnancy symptoms that are uncomfortable or painful
    • fear for the babys health, if you have concerns about your baby having an illness or disability. If you are worried about a particular risk, talk to your midwife or doctor
    • fear of birth, which is a recognised psychological disorder. Counselling and talking with your midwife or doctor can help you overcome this fear
    • love for your baby, your partner and your family
    • sadness or disappointment if you have illness or complications during your pregnancy, or you cant have the birth plan that you would prefer
    • general sadness about the world, whereby you find it hard to watch the news or hear sad stories about children or families
    • grief, if you suffer a miscarriage, a loss at a later stage of pregnancy, or a stillbirth
    • prolonged sadness from perinatal depression. In this case, you will need the help of health specialists.

    Is 5 Weeks Too Early For Ultrasound

    Too Early in the Pregnancy

    The gestational sac is typically visible on a transvaginal ultrasound somewhere between 3 to 5 weeks of pregnancy, or by the time the hCG has reached 1500 to 2000. Before that, even in a viable pregnancy, there is not going to be a visible gestational sac on an ultrasound.

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    When Will Your Baby Be Born

    When you find out youâre pregnant, one of your first questions might be âwhen will I get to meet my baby?â For an estimate, try our Due Date Calculator, where you can simply enter the first day of your last period or the date of conception.

    Keep in mind, only about 5 percent of babies are born exactly on their due date. Itâs totally normal to give birth in the two weeks either side of your due date. Your healthcare provider can also give you an estimate of when your little one will be born.

    Due dates are typically calculated as 280 days, or 40 weeks, from the first day of your last menstrual period. When calculating a due date and the weeks of pregnancy in this way, the first week of pregnancy is actually the week you had your period, and were not pregnant yet. Itâs hard to wrap your head around but, based on how due dates are calculated, you are not actually pregnant yet in the first couple of weeks of the 40 weeks of pregnancy.

    Urinary Frequency And Leaking

    4 Weeks Pregnant

    Temporary bladder control problems are common in pregnancy. Your unborn baby pushes down on the bladder, urethra, and pelvic floor muscles. This pressure can lead to more frequent need to urinate, as well as leaking of urine when sneezing, coughing, or laughing.

    What might help:

    • Drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration.
    • Do Kegel exercises to tone pelvic muscles.

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    When Is My Due Date

    Your due date is calculated by using the first day of your last period. If you want to count it from there, your due date would be approximately 280 days from then, give or take a few days.

    An easy way to figure out your due date is to take the first day of your last period, add 7 days, and then count backwards three months. For example, if your last menstrual period was June 30, adding seven days would give you July 7, and three months back would be April 7. Your due date would be on or around April 7th.

    An even easier way to figure out your due date would be to use a due date calculator online or on a smartphone app.

    No matter how you determine your due date, it is just an estimate. Few women actually have their babies on their due dates. In a healthy pregnancy, babies can be born anytime after the 38th week until a week after the due date. Sometimes, babies will come a few weeks earlier than the due date. There’s no sure way of knowing until you go into labor or have a condition that may indicate that you’ll go into labor early. Only those who at risk for preterm labor will have a test called a fetal fibronectin that can indicate if preterm labor will not happen. The rest of pregnant women just have to wait it out!

    Cramping And Spotting During Early Pregnancy

    From week 1 to week 4, everything is still happening on a cellular level. The fertilized egg creates a blastocyst that will develop into the babys organs and body parts.

    About 10 to 14 days after conception, the blastocyst will implant in the endometrium, the lining of the uterus. This can cause implantation bleeding, which may be mistaken for a light period.

    Here are some signs of implantation bleeding:

    • Color: The color of each episode may be pink, red, or brown.
    • Bleeding: Bleeding is usually compared to your regular menstrual period. Spotting is defined by blood present only when wiping.
    • Pain: Pain may be mild, moderate, or severe. According to a , 28 percent of women associated their spotting and light bleeding with pain.
    • Episodes: Implantation bleeding is likely to last less than three days and doesnt require treatment.

    Avoid smoking, drinking alcohol, or using illicit drugs, which are associated with heavy bleeding.

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    Other Serious Issues During Pregnancy

    Some pregnant women develop mental illnesses that are a significant risk to both them and their child. Other women may already have a mental illness that is more difficult to manage during pregnancy.

    In particular, specialist health care is needed for pregnant women with:

    • bipolar disorder , with manic highs and depression lows
    • schizophrenia
    • eating disorders, including anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa. The risks include a loss of nutrition for your baby, an increased risk of miscarriage, and anaemia.

    Tests During The First Trimester

    MY EARLY PREGNANCY SYMPTOMS | 0-4 Weeks Pregnant as a First Time Mom

    Your first visit with your doctor may not be until your sixth or seventh week of pregnancy, although some doctors may see you sooner. Before that visit, you may be asked to give a blood sample so that your hCG levels can be measured. During that first visit, you may have one or two tests done: a urine pregnancy test to be sure of pregnancy and an ultrasound to determine the due date. These firsts tests do nothing but to set the dates and perhaps the initial measurements with which to compare later on in your pregnancy.

    Other tests during the first trimester may or may not include:

    • Blood tests for anemia, Rh factor, HIV or other sexually transmitted diseases, and immunity to rubella or chicken pox
    • Blood test for the levels of glucose in your system, to determine if you have gestational diabetes
    • Urine tests for excess sugar or protein in the blood
    • Chronic Villi Sampling for those who are 35 or older to test for genetic defects
    • Blood tests for diseases known to exist in certain racial or ethnic backgrounds, like cystic fibrosis or sickle cell anemia
    • Ultrasound to detect genetic defects such as heart defects or Downs Syndrome

    You may have some or you may have none of these tests, depending on your background and your health. Speak with your doctor if you have any concerns about any testing that may be done or any testing you think should be done.

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    Raised Body Temperature During Early Pregnancy

    A higher basal body temperature may also be a sign of pregnancy. Your bodys core temperature may also increase more easily during exercise or in hot weather. During this time, youll need to make sure to drink more water and exercise cautiously.

    Fatigue can develop any time during pregnancy. This symptom is common in early pregnancy. Your progesterone levels will soar, which can make you feel sleepy.

    What Was Your First Sign Of Pregnancy

    Swollen ortender breasts is a symptom of pregnancy that could start as early as 1-2 weeks after conception.Tender and heavy-feeling breasts can be uncomfortable and a tell-tale first sign that youre pregnant.Darkening of the areolas and more pronounced veins on your chest can be other early signs of pregnancy.

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    How Big Is Your Baby At 1 Week Pregnant

    While theres no baby to be measured yet, your body is preparing itself for pregnancy. A womans egg is the largest single cell in the human body, and it begins to mature even during the first week of pregnancy.

    This process is called the ovarian cycle, and during the first days of pregnancy, youll be entering the follicular phase. The beginning of this phase coincides with the start of your period. At first, a hormone called FSH or follicle stimulating hormone causes many immature follicles to begin preparing for ovulation.

    But by days 5 to 7 of your cycle, one egg has become dominant. The dominant egg usually has a stronger blood supply and produces more estrogen. Estrogen will also stimulate the thickening of your uterine lining.

    During the follicular phase, this dominant egg matures and then waits for ovulation.

    How Early Can You Tell If Youre Pregnant

    Pin on Pregnancy Symptoms

    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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    Where You Want To Give Birth

    You may want to start to consider where you would like to deliver your baby when its time to give birth. Women can choose to deliver at a hospital, birth center, or at their own home. You should weigh the pros and cons of each location and discuss them with your doctor.

    The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists believes that hospitals and birthing centers are the safest place to deliver a baby. If there is an emergency, a hospital is fully equipped to handle the situation.

    What Does The First Week Of Pregnancy Feel Like

    Inside your 1 week pregnant belly, your body isnt only releasing last months egg. It begins to form a new uterine lining, which will hold next months egg. But some common early signs of pregnancy in the first weeks after fertilization include breast soreness or tenderness, nausea, fatigue, and frequent urge to pee.

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    How Can I Tell If Im Pregnant After 1 Week

    Because youre at the start of your menstrual period, you wont feelearly signs of pregnancy for at least 2-3 weeks.

    Its possible to experience PMS symptoms that are similar to early pregnancy symptoms. But remember, these symptoms arent related to pregnancy they are most likely related to menstruation.

    You wont know whether your attempts to get pregnant have been successful until two weeks after you ovulate, or around the time you miss your next period.

    If youre planning on conceiving or trying to conceive a baby, make sure youve read BellyBellys article Pre-Conception Checklist How To Prepare For Pregnancy.

    Getting pregnant whether its planned or unplanned is a life-changing experience.

    It can be a rollercoaster of decisions and emotions.

    People react very differently to the idea of having a baby and becoming parents. You might worry about finances and your career, or wonder whether youre even ready to be a parent.

    Sometimes its quite a challenge to deal with all the different feelings of having a baby.

    You can talk to a trusted friend, family member or healthcare provider, or try journaling. This can help you process all your thoughts and feelings.

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