Pregnancy: Week 1

When planning a pregnancy, every expectant mother should know about the difference between obstetric and embryonic gestational age, about the preparation of the female body for conception, as well as what to give up, what to beware of, and how to strengthen her health and the health of the unborn child during gestation.

What is meant by the 1st week of pregnancy?
In obstetrics, it is customary to calculate the gestational age from the first day of the last menstruation. This calculation method is adopted because it is very difficult to determine the exact day of ovulation and, accordingly, the date of conception. If the gestational age is calculated according to the “obstetric” method, then in the first week there can be no fetus yet, so pregnancy cannot be determined in the first week.

In fact, ovulation in a woman should begin on the 12-14th day of the cycle: a mature egg leaves the follicle, ready for fertilization. But in practice, everything can happen a little differently. Ovulation can occur both on the 7-8th day and on the 20-21st day of the cycle, depending on the individual characteristics of each woman’s body and the duration of the cycle. Thus, the first week of pregnancy is the most mysterious and even rich in false sensations period for all forty weeks, since obstetrician-gynecologists calculate it only theoretically.

What happens in the first week of pregnancy
Surprisingly, preparation for the fertilization process and the future development of pregnancy begins at the stage of egg formation: the woman’s hormonal state, changes in her nervous system and many other things – all this happens every month during each cycle.

It is no secret that the first week of the onset of pregnancy is calculated differently. It depends on what is taken as the “reference point” of pregnancy. If calculated based on obstetric terms, the first week begins from the first day of the last menstruation, the “actual” one (which is exactly what you might be told based on ultrasound results) is calculated from the day of conception.

Signs of pregnancy in the 1st week
In fact, the first two weeks of “obstetric” pregnancy pass mysteriously. Even the expectant mother herself does not know that her egg is fertilized. That is why signs of pregnancy are not necessarily present. In the first week of pregnancy, nausea or breast engorgement are naturally not felt.

The first week is a very important, even decisive moment. Often, the future development of the fetus, even the firm implantation of the embryo in the uterus, depends on this moment.

It is too early to talk about morning sickness, the smell of food or perfume that seemed pleasant just yesterday seeming foul. But in the first week of pregnancy, various discharges may occur, do not worry about this – it is not dangerous and is natural. In the first week of pregnancy, the level of hCG in a woman’s blood will not be very high. You may not notice any changes at all. This is also a natural state.

A pregnancy test will, of course, show a negative result. If you are healthy and have no problems with hormones, such a result is natural. A pale, barely visible second line will appear on it only after 10-12 days.

Sensations in the 1st week of pregnancy
In the first obstetric week, the presence of pregnancy remains a mystery to the woman. She may not even guess that her egg is fertilized. The body of the expectant mother, as if anticipating an unusual state, begins to make the first attempts to adapt to new tasks.

What to do in the 1st week of pregnancy
If a woman’s desire to become a mother is truly firm, then she must mentally prepare for a long period of carrying the future fetus. A woman who says she will become a mother tomorrow must be ready to “welcome” a new life in her body, realize this thought, and feel responsibility. After all, what no one knows yet can soon become a great happiness for parents.

Useful tips and recommendations for the expectant mother. Therefore, right now you need to know well what is not allowed in the first week of pregnancy. If you missed this period, start right now – this will definitely affect the good development of your baby in the future.

The most important prohibition is to prevent various poisons from entering the woman’s body. That is, completely give up tobacco and alcohol in the first weeks of pregnancy.
Permission from a doctor must be obtained for medicines that a woman is forced to take for certain reasons. Everyone knows that many drugs can cause irreversible processes in a woman’s body. Therefore, do not take medicines without a doctor’s permission.
Abdominal organs should be protected from X-ray radiation. Such studies are carried out only in extreme cases!
Stressful situations negatively affect the health of the expectant mother, so you should try to solve all emerging problems calmly. Do not argue with loved ones, do not quarrel with colleagues! It is better to create a romantic cozy atmosphere at home with your husband, because sex in the first weeks of pregnancy will not only help you relax, but also strengthen intimate relationships with your husband.
Contact with sick people should be avoided as much as possible. Dressing warmly on a cold day, protecting yourself from colds and various diseases that raise fever is very important in the first week of pregnancy. Garlic and onions, which are praised to the skies, will come to the rescue here – these are the best means to prevent colds in the first weeks of pregnancy.
To increase immunity and enrich the body with deficient microelements, it is recommended to take vitamins in the first weeks of pregnancy. But do not forget about full proper nutrition, this is a very important reminder. Vegetables, fruits, cereals and dairy products must be in your diet. Pay special attention to the presence of folic acid in products – it helps prevent congenital defects and helps the normal development of the fetus.
Long-awaited miracle!
Planned pregnancy always brings joy! The feeling that I will become pregnant in the near future is a wonderful warm and tender feeling that makes you dream about the best and most hopeful thoughts. Let there be no first signs of pregnancy yet, let there be no morning toxicosis of the first week of pregnancy yet, but at this moment every cell of a woman’s body is mentally ready for procreation.

Happiness, a tiny creature and building a happy family are dreams that will definitely come true. The second line that appeared on the pregnancy test is the first step towards the birth of a new life!