Pregnancy Diary

Archive for the ‘Pregnancy Week 1’ Category

Fetal development in pregnancy week 1:

It’s been a momentous past couple of days—even if you don’t know it yet. At some point roughly 1.5 – 3.5 million sperm took aim at your fallopian tubes and one superior little seed hit the target spot on. The now fertilized egg is still inside your fallopian tube and is already merging with the sperm to become a zygote. Cell multiplication is occuring at an astonishingly rapid rate. Your little zygote will spend the next 7-10 days dividing and multiplying as they slowly descend into the uterus, where it will nestle into the already cozy blood-rich uterine wall. The implantation process may result in a little spotting for some, caused by the sloughing off of uterine wall at the implantation site. This is perfectly natural and not a cause for concern. When your little zygote is finally implanted, it is a blastocyst measuring about 0.1 – 0.2 mm. This will be your baby’s spatially-challenged home for the next 38-40 weeks.

And how’s mom doing?

Your body is clever enough to recognizing this dynamic little zygote and is already producing Early Pregnancy Factor (EPF) protein, an immunosuppressant which will effectively keep your body from rejecting your growing zygote. What’s more, you’ll continue to produce estrogen and progesterone ceasing further ovulation. You won’t feel nauseous or express any other of the main symptoms of pregnancy at this point, but get ready: soon your hormones will be fluctuating more intensely than any other time in your life and you and everyone close to you will be noticing. If you’ve been planning this pregnancy and have been monitoring your morning basal body temperature, you will see that your temperature remains elevated beyond day 16 of your Luteal Phase (post ovulation). This will be the first physiological sign that you’re pregnant!

What are the early signs and symptoms of Pregnancy?

Pregnancy symptoms differ from woman to woman and pregnancy to pregnancy, however one of the most significant pregnancy symptoms is a delayed or missed menstrual cycle. Understanding pregnancy symptoms is important because each symptom may be related to something other than pregnancy. Some women experience pregnancy symptoms within a week of conception. For other women, symptoms may develop over a few weeks or may not be present at all. Below is a listing of some of the most common pregnancy symptoms. Read more…

Is spotting/bleeding in early pregnancy normal?

Many women hear the term implantation bleeding used a lot in regards to the early stages of pregnancy, but unless they receive clarification on what this phenomenon actually is then it can be a scary experience. What exactly is implantation bleeding? Read more…

Can I have sex if I’m pregnant?

Pregnancy can be a scary thing, especially when it is the first pregnancy for a woman and her partner. One of the most frequently asked questions is whether the parents having sex during pregnancy is safe for the growing baby. In most cases, the answer is yes. Read more…

If I am pregnant, what will be my due date be?

This is not your mother’s pregnancy due date calculator. We have perfected our FUN due date calculator over the years to give you the most, and the most accurate, information about your due date and stage of pregnancy. Calculating your due date is easy! Simply enter the first day of your last menstral period in the form above, and click the ‘What’s My Due Date’ button. We’ll calculate your due date and lots of other fun facts as well!

Can I do Anything to Ensure I get Pregnant?

There is nothing you can do that will provide a 100% guarantee you will get pregnant this month or in ten months. In fact, there is only an estimated 1 in 4 chance of a couple conceiving a baby each month, and those odds vary greatly, dependent on such factors as the man’s sperm count and the female’s health.

Certain measures can be taken to improve your chance of getting pregnant, and pregnancy calendar week 1 is an excellent time to establish a routine of prenatal care.

• Discontinue the use of birth control.
• Take a daily over the counter prenatal vitamin that contains folic acid, which helps prevent neural tube defects in a developing fetus.
• Avoid the use of alcohol, recreational drugs, and tobacco products.
• Reduce stress in your daily life.
• Exercise regularly and maintain a healthy diet.
• Discuss the use of prescribed and over the counter medications and their affects on a fetus with your physician.
• Learn about Ovulation and the four-day window each month when intercourse is most likely to result in a pregnancy.

What is Ovulation?

Ovulation is when a woman’s egg travels from the ovary through the fallopian tube and into the uterus, where it is available for fertilization by the man’s sperm. Ovulation also means there is only a four-day window each month in which conception if viable. This four-day window is normally twelve to fifteen days before the start of a typical 28-day menstrual cycle.

My Menstrual Cycle does not Follow the Typical 28-day cycle. How can I Tell when I Ovulate?

Two tests can be performed at home to determine when you are ovulating:

Basal Body Temperature (BBT) is based on charting a woman’s body temperature upon waking up each morning, before she gets out of bed and begins any physical activity. Her temperature can be taken orally, rectally, or vaginally. A woman’s temperature is apt to increase by as much as one degree when she ovulates.

Ovulation Predictor Kits test for the presence of luteinizing hourmones (LH) in a woman’s urine. LH increases significantly 24 to 36 hours prior to ovulation; thereby warning couples when it is the optimal time to have intercourse that will result in pregnancy. To optimize the chance of conception, intercourse should take place the day of ovulation and the next day.

Additionally, look for these body signs that may be telling you when ovulation occurs:

• Increased libido;
• Cramping;
• Nausea;
• Thinning of the cervical mucus often means you can expect ovulate within a day or two.

Pregnancy can be a scary thing, especially when it is the first pregnancy for a woman and her partner. One of the most frequently asked questions is whether the parents having sex during pregnancy is safe for the growing baby. In most cases, the answer is yes.

Your baby is growing in your uterus, which is high up in your body. The uterus is not close to your vagina, nor in danger of being touched during your having intercourse. Since it is thought that your baby sleeps while you are moving around during the day, many people suggest that the act of intercourse actually puts the unborn baby to sleep.

Some people also worry about the baby knowing that they are having intercourse. There is no way that your baby can know or be affected negatively by intercourse during a normal healthy pregnancy. In fact, since fetuses can be affected by the emotions and feelings a mom experiences during pregnancy, some believe that the endorphins a woman will feel after an orgasm will be passed through the placenta to her baby, helping her baby be calmer and happier in the womb.

There are instances, however, when sex is not safe during your pregnancy. If you have had any complications or bleeding during your pregnancy you should check with your midwife or doctor prior to having intercourse to make sure it is safe. Also, if you had any complications in previous pregnancies you should check with your doctor.

Towards the end of your pregnancy, while safe, sex may become difficult or uncomfortable for mom or even dad. The big bump may make it hard for mom and dad to get in the groove, or it may feel different for dad since the woman’s body is changing. At this point a couple may choose NOT to have sex, even if their doctor has not said that it is a problem.

If your doctor or midwife approves intercourse throughout your pregnancy, and as a couple you choose to continue having sex until the end of your pregnancy, some believe that sex may help a woman go into labor. One of the old wives’ tales suggests that because a man’s sperm contains prostaglandin, a substance that is used in some labor inducing drugs, that sex can help dilate a cervix that is ready to dilate. This is a much debated theory.

Remember, if your midwife or doctor says it is safe to have sex and you WANT to have sex, there is no reason not to have sex. However, be sure to get the ok from your physician before you do, so that you know it is ok for you, during your pregnancy.

Many women hear the term implantation bleeding used a lot in regards to the early stages of pregnancy, but unless they receive clarification on what this phenomenon actually is then it can be a scary experience. What exactly is implantation bleeding?

During the early stages of pregnancy the ovum, or fertilized egg, attaches itself to the uterine wall. This always occurs within the first trimester and can sometimes cause a little amount of blood to be released. This is the cause of implantation bleeding. The egg actually attaches itself to the mother’s circulatory system via the wall of the uterus, and this is where the blood comes from.

Some women might feel cramping along with implantation. In some instances women have already missed a period and are aware of the pregnancy. Not every woman detects implantation bleeding. Remember that pregnancies can be considered perfectly normal whether there is any bleeding in the early stages or not.

Many women wonder how to tell the difference between implantation bleeding and bleeding that could be a sign of something more serious. If you experience light spotting – such as only enough to wear a panty-liner – then it is most likely implantation bleeding. Additionally, if the spotting is dark and not bright red, and the spotting ends quickly, this points to implantation bleeding as well. Keep in mind that this can be completely normal in the first trimester but you should check always check with your doctor whenever bleeding occurs during a pregnancy.

There are other explanations if the bleeding is not due to implantation. Bleeding beyond light spotting may be a result of your menstrual cycle, and the lighter flow than normal could be caused by any number of things including stress. Changing your birth control can also cause a change in your bleeding flow and spotting can also be a sign of infection or abrasions from recent intercourse. When in doubt, contact your doctor.

Pregnancy symptoms differ from woman to woman and pregnancy to pregnancy, however one of the most significant pregnancy symptoms is a delayed or missed menstrual cycle. Understanding pregnancy symptoms is important because each symptom may be related to something other than pregnancy. Some women experience pregnancy symptoms within a week of conception. For other women, symptoms may develop over a few weeks or may not be present at all. Below is a listing of some of the most common pregnancy symptoms.

Implantation Bleeding

Implantation bleeding is the earliest pregnancy symptom. About eight days after conception the embryo implants itself into the uterine wall. Some women will experience spotting as well as some cramping. Other Explanations: Actual menstruation, altered menstruation, changes in birth control pill, infection, or abrasion from intercourse.

Delay/Difference in Menstruation

A delayed or missed menstruation is the most common pregnancy symptom leading a woman to test for pregnancy. When you become pregnant, your next period should be missed. Many women do bleed while they are pregnant, but typically the bleeding will be shorter or lighter than a normal period. Other Explanations: Excessive weight gain/loss, fatigue, hormonal problems, tension, stress, ceasing to take the birth control pill, or breast-feeding.

Swollen / Tender Breasts

Swollen or tender breasts is a pregnancy symptom which may begin as early as 1-2 weeks after conception. Women may notice changes in their breasts such as tender to the touch, sore, or swollen. Other Explanations: Hormonal imbalance, birth control pills, impending menstruation (PMS) can also cause your breasts to be swollen or tender.

Fatigue/Tiredness

Feeling fatigued or more tired is a pregnancy symptom which can also start as early as the first week after conception.Other Explanations: Stress, exhaustion, depression, common cold or flu, or other illnesses can also leave you feeling tired or fatigued.

Nausea/Morning Sickness

This well-known pregnancy symptom will often show up between 2-8 weeks after conception. Some women are fortunate to not deal with morning sickness at all while others will feel nauseous through most of their pregnancy. Other Explanations: Food poisoning, stress, or other stomach disorders can also cause you to feel queasy.

Backaches

Lower backaches may be a symptom that occurs early in pregnancy, however it is common to experience a dull backache throughout an entire pregnancy. Other Explanations: Impending menstruation, stress, other back problems, and physical or mental strains.

Headaches

The sudden rise of hormones in your body can cause you to have headaches early in pregnancy. Other Explanations: Dehydration, caffeine withdrawal, impending menstruation, eye strain, or other ailments can be the source of frequent or chronic headaches.

Frequent Urination

Around 6-8 weeks after conception, you may find yourself making a few extra trips to the bathroom. Other Explanations: Urinary tract infection, diabetes, increasing liquid intake, or taking excessive diuretics.

Darkening of Areolas

If you are pregnant, the skin around your nipples may get darker. Other Explanations: Hormonal imbalance unrelated to pregnancy or may be a leftover effect from a previous pregnancy.

Food Cravings

While you may not have a strong desire to eat pickles and ice cream, many women will feel cravings for certain foods when they are pregnant. This can last throughout your entire pregnancy. Other Explanations: Poor diet, lacking a certain nutrient, stress, depression, or impending menstruation.

If you think you are pregnant you may purchase a home pregnancy test such as those made by Clearblue Easy, or you may contact the Association for a local pregnancy testing center that provides free or low-cost pregnancy tests.

Pregnancy calendar week 1 marks the beginning of your period. You are looking forward to getting pregnant and bringing a healthy baby into this world. As the uterus sheds its lining, the ovaries are preparing to release another egg, and this egg may be the one that leads to successful conception.

Your baby has not been conceived yet and you are still having your menstrual period. However, this week is still acknowledged as the first week of a forty-week pregnancy even though you’re not one week pregnant!

If you are trying to conceive, this is a perfect time to get your body ready for becoming pregnant. Remember to avoid alcohol, smoking and drugs as they can lead to birth defects as well as respiratory problems, low birth rate, fetal alcohol syndrome and other health problems.

Take the time to discuss with your health care provider any prescription drugs that you may be taking. This is a necessary precaution since many prescription and over-the-counter medications can, in fact, affect the fetus. However, consult with your doctor before you decide to stop taking your prescription drugs. Your doctor will help you understand the benefits and the risks involved in discontinuing your medical prescription.

Ensure that your diet has adequate amounts of vitamins, especially folic acid, which can help prevent birth defects. Women who are trying to conceive are advised to take at least 0.4 to 0.8 milligrams of folic acid daily. It has been proven that taking enough folic acid does reduce your risk of neural tube defects such as spina bifida (these are birth defects that are caused by incomplete development of the brain or the spinal cord). Even when you are trying to conceive, it is important to take a folic acid supplement. Ask your doctor about this.

For More Information: Read Pregnancy Week 1 FAQs

Read Next Week

When it comes to medical care and pregnancy, you can never start too early. The best start to having a healthy baby is to see your health-care provider for a pre-pregnancy health check before you conceive. There are lots of things you can do ahead of time, such as making sure you’re immune to rubella (German measles), finding out your blood type, stopping smoking, making sure your diet is healthy, and getting any illnesses you might have under control. Many obstetricians recommend you start taking prenatal vitamins even before you conceive.

Once you’re pregnant, your health professional will have you begin with monthly visits that increase to once a week or more at the end.

At each visit, the physician or nurse will perform a series of examinations and tests to determine the health of the mother and baby. These include measuring the growth of the uterus, listening to the baby’s heartbeat, taking the mother’s blood pressure and weight, and checking her urine for evidence of protein or sugar, which could be symptoms of complications.

The care provider will ask the mother if she has any concerns or problems such as blurred vision, leg cramps, abdominal cramps, or unusual headaches. The mother may also undergo ultrasound and genetic tests during the pregnancy. Getting good care is very important since it is known that pregnancy outcomes are better in women with early prenatal care.

Recommended products:
If the stress of trying to conceive is causing you to have some vaginal dryness, then consider using a sperm-friendly lubricant, which will help create the ideal environment for conception.