Menstruation and disappointment. But the 1st week of pregnancy, if you conceive! Learn how to prepare for getting pregnant and what happens in your body.
If you have tried to conceive for a while, calling this so disappointing period “being 1 week pregnant” may seem almost mean. But however sad you may feel, this week is when it all begins.
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What to Expect when “1 Week Pregnant”, i.e., Menstruating
In this article:
Understanding the Pregnancy Weeks
If you do get pregnant during this menstrual cycle, your pregnancy due date will be calculated based on the first day of your last period, and right now, you are “1 week pregnant”. By the time your fetus is 1 week old, you are already three weeks pregnant according to this timescale.
Having your period when all you want is to be pregnant can be extremely disappointing, and you may wonder if it is possible to have menstruation and still be pregnant? Not really, but small bleeding is entirely possible.
In any case, during this 1st week of pregnancy (if you do get pregnant), your body is very busy preparing for conception. Just about a week from now, ovulation is already on its way.
Learn more about how to calculate pregnancy weeks, months, and trimesters here.
Baby Prep When 1 Week Pregnant
The first weeks of pregnancy can be confusing since your gestation term is counted as the first day of your last period. Technically you are not pregnant yet; you are menstruating!
But by the end of this week, hopefully soon to be defined as you being 1 week pregnant, your uterus is already preparing to accept a fully fertilized egg in a couple of weeks. So if you are disappointed, frustrated, and sad that you are menstruating, do try to look forward instead (after crying a bit).
There is a new chance to become pregnant coming up really soon! For some tips to improve your chances of getting pregnant, click here.
When menstruation is over, ovulation time comes next. This is when the production of estrogen and progesterone prepares your body for the upcoming event.
In about a week (or less if you have less than 28 days between your periods), the ovaries will release the egg that will become an entirely new person that will grow and thrive within you for the next 40 weeks, give or take on your new little one!
There is much to prepare before your egg settles in for the long ride.
Mom’s Body When 1 Week Pregnant
No matter what stage of pregnancy you are in, your body is constantly changing. During this first week of pregnancy, your body is preparing for ovulation.
Symptoms of Ovulation
Many women have varying symptoms when ovulation is getting closer, while others will not feel the least bit different.
Do not feel that your body is not developing properly just because you do not experience the same symptoms as someone else. However, if you do not notice any changes and do not get pregnant after trying for a while, you might want to check with your healthcare provider.
Here are some of the common symptoms of ovulation:
- Mild cramps
- An increase in clear discharge that can appear slippery or even stretchy may occur for those women who are sensitive to their ovulation.
- Temperature is often an indication that your body is producing more progesterone and is more fertile than at any other time of your cycle. However, don’t count on temperature rise to indicate ovulation; it usually happens after ovulation has already occurred. Then it can be too late to conceive.
- Being sore at one side. Sex can even be a bit painful.
For those who have difficulty determining their fertile time, seek help from your physician or explore the options of ovulation kits that are available to help you determine the best time to conceive. Here is a good ovulation and pregnancy combo kit at a good price. (Link to Amazon)
For more details on ovulation symptoms, read this article.
Preparing for Pregnancy
Once you have made the decision to get pregnant and begin the journey into motherhood, it is a good idea to change any habits that could interfere with having a healthy baby.
If you just want some simple but effective guidelines, follow the steps below:
1. Prenatal Vitamins
Begin taking prenatal vitamins, which are essential for any woman who wants to get pregnant since they will provide all the important vitamins and minerals needed for you and your baby during this crucial development time.
Folic acid is one of the most important supplements to take, even as early as during menstruation (i.e., counting as being 1-week-pregnant), since this helps to prevent Spina bifida.
If you want to make sure you get all the vitamins and minerals your body needs during pregnancy and at the same time give fertility a little boost, check out FertilAid for Women. These pills are all-natural and developed by an OB/GYN and fertility expert. (There are pills for your hubby, too if you want to maximize your chances of getting pregnant.)
2. Nutrition & Exercise
Proper nutrition, as well as a comfortable amount of exercise, depending on your physical condition, can help you not only before the baby comes but afterward.
Developing good healthy habits now will carry you through into the years to come once you are busy running around after a little one.
You’ll find a detailed update on how to eat healthy during pregnancy, according to research here.
3. Avoid Several Substances
Avoiding many substances such as alcohol, drugs, cigarettes, and even caffeine are all beneficial to put your new little one on the road to good health.
Many serious problems are associated with alcohol, such as miscarriage, fetal abnormalities, and retardation, which can be irreversible, so be sure to avoid alcohol even when trying to conceive. You can also read about how alcohol affects fertility here.
Smoking can not only interfere with your body’s ability to absorb folic acid and cause pulmonary diseases but also increase the chance of having a low birth weight.
Have you considered trying to specifically conceive a boy or a girl? Here is some of the newest research on how a mom’s diet can have an effect on the gender of her child.
Stuff to Buy This Week
Well, in addition to tampons ;-), here are some tips on stuff to buy if you want to enhance your chances of getting pregnant during this cycle:
Week 1 Video
Diary of a Daughter
What’s it really like being 1 week pregnant…? (Yeah, I know, it sucks!) Here’s a true diary from a 1 week (not) pregnant mom (Me..!)
I got my period… again. Wonder if I will ever conceive. At least I’ll get my fallopian tubes examined for blockage in only a couple of days.
But it’s been a long time now trying to conceive, and very hard to remain positive.
So, how do you feel? Please share your experiences and thoughts by leaving a comment below!
Read Next About Early Pregnancy
- Becoming pregnant during your period – possible?
- What affects the odds of getting pregnant
- All the ovulation symptoms to look for
References:
Mayo Clinic, Mayo Clinic Guide to a Healthy Pregnancy
Joanne Stone MD and Keith Eddleman MD, The Pregnancy Bible: Your Complete Guide to Pregnancy and Early Parenthood
Nilsson, L; Hamberger, L. A Child Is Born
Soderberg, L., Mammapraktika. B Wahlstroms.
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Paula Dennholt founded Easy Baby Life in 2006 and has been a passionate parenting and pregnancy writer since then. Her parenting approach and writing are based on studies in cognitive-behavioral models and therapy for children and her experience as a mother and stepmother. Life as a parent has convinced her of how crucial it is to put relationships before rules. She strongly believes in positive parenting and a science-based approach.
Paula cooperates with a team of pediatricians who assist in reviewing and writing articles.
