First weeks of being pregnant

Pregnancy Week By Week | First Month Symptoms and Signs

In This Section

Month by Month
What happens in the second month?
What happens in the third month?
What happens in the fourth month?
What happens in the fifth month?

What happens in the sixth month?
What happens in the seventh month?
What happens in the eighth month?
What happens in the ninth month?
What happens in the tenth month?

What happens in the first month of pregnancy?

Pregnancy is divided into 3 trimesters. Each trimester is a little longer than 13 weeks. The first month marks the beginning of the first trimester.

What’s gestational age?

Pregnancy timing is measured using “gestational age.” Gestational age starts on the first day of your last menstrual period (LMP).

Gestational age can be confusing. Most people think of pregnancy as lasting 9 months. And it’s true that you’re pregnant for about 9 months. But because pregnancy is measured from the first day of your last menstrual period — about 3-4 weeks before you’re actually pregnant — a full-term pregnancy usually totals about 40 weeks from LMP — roughly 10 months.

Many people don’t remember exactly when they started their last menstrual period — that’s OK. The surest way to find out gestational age early in pregnancy is with an ultrasound.

What happens during week 1 - 2?

These are the first 2 weeks of your menstrual cycle. You have your period. About 2 weeks later, the egg that’s 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 it’s 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.

What happens during week 3 - 4?

The fertilized egg moves down your fallopian tube and divides into more and more cells. It reaches your uterus about 3–4 days after fertilization. The dividing cells then form a ball that floats around in the uterus for about 2–3 days.

Pregnancy begins when the ball of cells attaches to the lining of your uterus. This is called implantation. It usually starts about 6 days after fertilization and takes about 3–4 days to be complete.

Pregnancy doesn’t always happen, even if an egg is fertilized by a sperm. Up to half of all fertilized eggs pass out of your body when you get your period, before implantation is complete.

What are the signs of pregnancy?

For a lot of people, the first sign of pregnancy is a missed period. Most pregnancy tests will be positive by the time you’ve missed your 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 it’s common to have at least 1 of them.

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You and your pregnancy at 1 to 3 weeks

Your weeks of pregnancy are dated from the first day of your last period.

This means that in the first 2 weeks or so, you are not actually pregnant – your body is preparing for ovulation (releasing an egg from one of your ovaries) as usual.

Your "getting pregnant" timeline is:

day 1: the first day of your period
day 14 (or slightly before or after, depending how long your menstrual cycle is): you ovulate
within 24 hours of ovulation, the egg is fertilised by sperm if you have had sex in the last few days without using contraception
about 5 to 6 days after ovulation, the fertilised egg burrows into the lining of the womb – this is called implantation
you're now pregnant

Find out more about trying to get pregnant.

You at 1 to 3 weeks

The first thing most women notice is that their period does not arrive.

Find out about the signs and symptoms of pregnancy

The most reliable way of finding out if you're pregnant is to take a pregnancy test.

Once you think you could be pregnant, it's important to get in touch with a midwife or doctor to start your pregnancy (antenatal) care.

You can do this by contacting:

your GP surgery – if you're not registered with a GP, you can find a GP
your local hospital's maternity unit – find maternity services

Things to think about

In the early days and weeks of pregnancy, you may not know if you're pregnant.

But you can do the following things:

take a folic acid supplement of 400 micrograms a day while you're trying to get pregnant and until the 12th week of pregnancy
take a vitamin D supplement of 10 micrograms a day
avoid some foods to protect against infections
stopping smoking is one of the best things you can do for your baby's health

You can get supplements from pharmacies and supermarkets, or your GP may be able to prescribe them for you.

If you want to get your vitamin D or folic acid from a multivitamin tablet, make sure the tablet does not contain vitamin A (or retinol).

You can get vitamin supplements containing folic acid and vitamin D free of charge if you're under 18, pregnant or breastfeeding and qualify for the Healthy Start scheme.

Go to you and your baby at 4 weeks pregnant.

Page last reviewed: 12 October 2021
Next review due: 12 October 2024

Early pregnancy | Shchelkovsky perinatal center

Pregnancy is a wonderful period! However, the changes taking place in the body at this time can greatly frighten you. The phenomena characteristic of pregnancy are different for all women, and will not necessarily be repeated during each subsequent gestation. Let's analyze the most common symptoms, their causes and possible methods of correction.

1. Frequent urination.

Frequent, painless (!) urge to urinate is one of the signs of pregnancy. This is due to increased secretion of progesterone (pregnancy hormone), changes in metabolism and pressure from the growing uterus on the bladder. nine0005

Be sure to see a doctor if:

painful urination (this may be a sign of an infection)
urine of strange color (stained with blood, brown)
the amount of urine excreted per day is much less than the liquid drunk per day

Life hack! Under no circumstances should fluid intake be restricted! To alleviate the condition and reduce the frequent urge to urinate, it is necessary to exclude products that have a diuretic effect: tea, coffee, zucchini, watermelon; as well as salty, spicy and fried foods. It is better to drink water or juice. Wear comfortable cotton underwear that does not squeeze the lower abdomen. nine0005

2. Nausea, vomiting, heartburn, increased susceptibility to smells.

Nausea is one of the common symptoms of early pregnancy. The range of issues related to nausea and vomiting during pregnancy is quite wide. From "it's good, I don't even feel sick" (with relief), "I don't feel sick, what's wrong with me?" (with anxiety) to "when will this nausea pass" (with hope). Indeed, these symptoms are not at all a mandatory accompaniment of gestation, they can manifest at 7-8 weeks and last up to 12-14 weeks. The duration of this condition can sometimes be delayed, but rarely persists throughout pregnancy. nine0005

Life hack! For nausea, eat before feeling hungry. Solid, non-hot food and drinks at a cool temperature are best. With heartburn, you should eat small portions of food and often, and most importantly, sit, stand or walk for at least 30 minutes after eating, but do not lie down.

You should definitely consult a doctor if:

vomiting occurs even after drinking water
vomiting is exhausting, accompanied by dizziness, weakness
dryness, jaundice and flaking of the skin appear
Nausea and vomiting interfere with proper nutrition, accompanied by weight loss

To reduce nausea and vomiting in the morning, try eating something before you get out of bed. It can be a cracker, a cookie, a piece of hard cheese. And salty food is preferable to sweet. You can have a snack in the same way at night when you get up to go to the toilet. Do not lie down immediately after eating, this will only increase nausea. Vitamins for pregnant women with nausea should be taken in the evening after meals. Cool water with lemon, ginger, mint tea, or ginger or mint candies can alleviate the condition. It is necessary to exclude those foods, drinks and smells that are unpleasant to you. Brushing your teeth and rinsing your mouth often can also reduce nausea. nine0005

3. Pain or cramps in the lower abdomen, constipation, pain in the lumbar region.

The simplest and most easily controlled cause of pain is delayed and incomplete bowel movements. An increase in the concentration of progesterone relaxes the smooth muscles, which are located not only in the uterus, but also in other hollow organs. In this case, the correction of the diet and the restoration of the passage of feces will help. If the measures are ineffective, the doctor may prescribe safe drugs for you. A special type of pain that occurs during exclusivity in pregnant women is pain in the round ligament of the uterus. This acute, rather intense pain occurs, as a rule, on the one hand with a sharp change in body position (for example, when getting up from a chair or leaving a car). This pain occurs due to stretching, and then a sharp contraction, like a spring, of the round uterine ligaments. The pain quickly passes if you immediately take a comfortable position and does not require special treatment. nine0005

You should definitely consult a doctor if:

pain is accompanied by spotting bloody discharge from the external genitalia
increasing duration and intensity of pain
abdominal pain accompanied by dizziness, fever, loss of consciousness

Life hack! To normalize bowel movements, eat more vegetables and fruits, drink water and move more during the day. Try to eat often and in small portions. nine0005

4. Enlargement and soreness of the mammary glands.

Hormonal restructuring of the body during gestation is accompanied, among other things, by an increase in the size of the mammary glands and an increase in their sensitivity. By the end of the first trimester, the soreness usually disappears, no additional methods of treatment are needed.

Life hack! Choose comfortable supportive underwear (it should not leave marks on the skin at the end of the day). You may need a larger size or a sports bra. Pain in the mammary glands is relieved by a warm shower at the end of the day. nine0005

You should definitely see a doctor if:

the pain is intense
mammary glands are very dense with redness and body temperature is increased
discharge from the nipples appears (purulent, bloody)

5. Increased body temperature.

In early pregnancy, an increase in body temperature to 37.5 ° C is not necessary, but is possible due to the peculiarities of the action of progesterone. Because of this, it is difficult for pregnant women to endure stuffy, hot rooms. Self-medication is dangerous: an attempt to bring down the temperature even with a seemingly harmless folk method - tea with raspberries - can mask the true cause of hyperthermia and delay the diagnosis. Due to the increased body temperature, pregnant women should dress in layers and avoid stuffy and hot rooms and spaces so that they can always “adjust” their temperature on their own. nine0005

temperature above 37.5 °C
along with fever, any pain occurs
runny nose, cough, body aches appear

6. Nasal congestion, difficulty breathing, nosebleeds.

These symptoms can be explained by the individual reaction of the vascular system to the increase in blood volume that occurs during pregnancy. Another possible reason is dry air in the room, the operation of central heating batteries. nine0005

Life hack! The easiest way to deal with nasal congestion is to use a humidifier. If you don't have one, you can put a damp towel on the battery - less effective, but better than nothing. It is possible to use sprays with sea salt, but you need to carefully read the instructions and especially the "Indications" section, it should contain information about the safety of the product during pregnancy.

You should definitely see a doctor if:

symptoms of a cold occur
nasal congestion accompanied by ear congestion
These symptoms appeared after exposure to the allergen known to you

7. Blood pressure fluctuations.

An ideal option for the course of any pregnancy is the stability of the blood pressure throughout the gestation. However, this is extremely rare. A small (up to 10 units) increase in pressure from the usual reference may be due to an increase in the load on the cardiovascular system as a result of changes in body weight, hormonal changes, and uterine pressure on the vessels. Normal pressure: systolic below 130 mm Hg, diastolic no more than 85 mm Hg. Blood pressure in the range of 130-139/ 85–89 mm Hg considered high to be normal. High numbers are often observed in patients of older reproductive age, suffering from diabetes mellitus and kidney disease, obesity, etc. However, it is imperative to tell the doctor about all these concomitant pathological conditions at the first appointment and, if necessary, consult a neurologist, cardiologist, endocrinologist and other related specialists . Reasonable physical activity, adherence to sleep and wakefulness, a balanced diet, and the rejection of coffee and strong tea allow you to keep pressure within limits. Of the completely exotic for our days, but no less significant - the prevention of stress. nine0005

Life hack! If you first discovered that you have high normal pressure, repeat the measurement after 15 minutes. If the pressure remains elevated, see a doctor.

Be sure to see a doctor if:

your blood pressure is above 140/90 mmHg.
pressure increased by more than 10 mm Hg. relative to your regular
an increase in the pressure indicator is accompanied by edema, the appearance of "flies" before the eyes

NB! You should also pay attention to lowering blood pressure. Numbers less than 90/60 mmHg - an excuse to see a doctor.

Life hack! Keep a blood pressure diary, especially if you are prone to hypertension. Show your diary to your doctor at every appointment.

8. Heaviness and pain in the legs.

Heaviness and pain in the legs, especially in the evening, are frequent companions of pregnancy. There is an explanation for the occurrence of symptoms: an increase in load due to growing weight and a shift in the center of gravity of the body. nine0005

Life hack! Ask your partner/husband to give you a foot massage, relax with your limbs elevated (not too much!) A therapeutic pedicure, dousing the legs with cool water, a contrast shower, a cream or gel for legs with cooling components (menthol, essential oils), as well as compression stockings or stockings of the lightest degree of compression will help.

You should always see a doctor if:

one or both legs are very swollen or discolored
previously diagnosed varicose veins, family history of thrombosis

9. Skin changes.

During pregnancy, you may notice dark spots on your skin. Especially often such darkening (hyperpigmentation) is observed in the nipple area, along the white line of the abdomen. Stretch marks (stretch marks) may appear on the skin of the abdomen and thighs. These are normal signs and do not require any treatment. In most cases, skin color will return to normal after breastfeeding ends, and stretch marks will shrink and fade. Itching can be associated with stretching of the skin, especially in the abdomen and mammary glands. This symptom occurs infrequently and is usually successfully stopped by the use of special products to moisturize and soften the skin. By the way, these same remedies usually help in the fight against stretch marks. nine0005

Life hack! Oils and moisturizing creams to increase skin elasticity, contrast showers, massage with a hard brush will help reduce the likelihood of skin changes.

You should definitely consult a doctor if:

along with itching there are areas of redness, spots, peeling
itching increases

10. Bleeding gums.

Changes in the characteristics of blood circulation in the body of a pregnant woman can cause bleeding gums. The appearance of minor blood impurities during brushing your teeth, when eating solid foods (for example, an apple) is acceptable. However, the key provision is "insignificant". If you find it difficult to assess your own condition, consult a specialist. nine0005

You should definitely consult a doctor if:

you have loose teeth, sore gums, bad breath
bleeding in the gum area increases

11. Fatigue, mood instability.

Tearfulness, lack of strength, forgetfulness, distraction, the whole palette of feelings "here and now"... The list can be continued, and there is only one explanation for this - pregnancy. The most common early symptom is severe fatigue. There is no universal recipe, just as there is no single picture of these states. The main recommendation for all pregnant women is to rest often, relax and even sleep during the day. Most importantly, you need to remember: pregnancy is not a disease, but a great time to prepare for motherhood. nine0005

1 month of pregnancy { 1 - 4 weeks }

Pregnancy is a cardinal change not only in a woman's body, but also in her psychological and moral state. And all these changes are driven by hormones.
There are general patterns of the first signs of pregnancy, fetal development and changes in the woman's body. Today we will tell you more about what happens in the first month after conception, how the fetus grows and about the condition of the woman herself.

In the first week of pregnancy, you are still living the “before” life and do not even suspect that a new life has already been born and is starting its 9- a month's journey into the world. A fertilized egg is actively moving through the tubes, transforming every day.

Changes in a woman's body

It should be noted right away that there are obstetric and embryonic reference dates. Doctors count weeks from the first day of the last menstruation, although there is no pregnancy as such at this time.
Embryonic begins from the moment of conception. You can find out if you remember the date of sexual intercourse or pregnancy occurred in the IVF program. nine0229 Usually, in the first week after conception, many women are not even aware of their pregnancy. But the body is already beginning to prepare for childbearing and childbirth, rebuilding to the needs of the baby.
The uterus becomes softer and more loose from the inside, so that the embryo can more securely gain a foothold in the endometrium. The hormonal system also begins to rebuild.

Feeling and signs of pregnancy

Few lucky women can feel the coming changes. Basically, the woman does not care about anything. nine0229 Usually, the first signs of pregnancy are similar to premenstrual syndrome - the breasts slightly enlarge, become more sensitive, pulling pains appear in the lower abdomen. The lower back can hurt and appetite increases, irritability and slight drowsiness appear.
Signs of pregnancy in the form of morning sickness and reactions to odors are usually absent.

What happens to the fetus?

But real miracles happen to the embryo. The embryo moves this week through the fallopian tube towards the uterus. At the same time, a cluster of 8 cells, which are called blastomeres, turn into one ball. Later, the outer part will become the placenta, and the inner part will become the fetus. But this will happen only after a couple of weeks. nine0005

Recommendations for the first week

You need to monitor your health constantly. Gynecologists at the Ivymed clinic recommend preparing for pregnancy about six months before conception by starting to lead a healthy lifestyle.
In the first week, special attention should be paid to dental treatment, fungal diseases, problems with the uterine cavity and other “female” problems, try to avoid stress and crowds, sleep and eat well.

Usually this week you are not yet aware of the onset of pregnancy, but the body is already beginning to rebuild. The fetus, as such, has formed, it only reaches the uterus and becomes stronger. nine0005

What happens to a woman's body

In the second week after conception, the woman continues to suffer from the symptoms of the upcoming menstruation. But there is no delay - and there is no reason to “worry” either.
But the human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) or “pregnancy hormone” is already actively beginning to be produced.
But rapid tests for early diagnosis of pregnancy are not yet reliable: there is not enough hormone in the urine for reliable results. But laboratory blood tests from a vein for hCG are more informative. nine0005

Sensations

In the second week, premenstrual symptoms usually continue, as in the first week. Since the hormonal system is already being rebuilt, the mood can change dramatically: from hysteria to violent joy. You may feel more tired and sleepy, even if you slept well.
The belly in the second week of pregnancy is not yet growing: the embryo is too small to somehow affect the size.

How the fetus develops

By the second week of pregnancy, the fetal egg is implanted in the uterus and fixed in it. nine0229 The future fetus contains about 200 cells, each of which is responsible for important functions - the development of organs, the formation of the fetus and other genetic information.
At this time, the foundations of vital systems are already being laid: chorion, amniotic leg, amnion and primary yolk sac.

Advice for moms in the second week

Regardless of whether you feel the symptoms of pregnancy, you should give up alcohol, caffeine, nicotine, heavy physical exertion, stress. nine0229 If you haven't fixed your health problems, it's time to fix them. If you have not yet led a healthy lifestyle, it's time to pay attention to it.
To settle an unstable emotional state, take up swimming, yoga, walks in the fresh air. Try to sleep at least 8 hours.

At the 3rd week of pregnancy you have a slight delay in menstruation, you begin to feel the first signs of pregnancy. There is a clear sense of "unusual" condition. But it is easy to confuse it with the harbingers of menstruation, especially if this is your first pregnancy. nine0005

What happens in the body at the 3rd week

It is often during the third week of pregnancy that women complain of elevated body temperature (up to 37.5), and their immunity is noticeably reduced. This all happens because the amount of hCG increases at week 3 in order to preserve the fetus.
The amount of estrogen also increases, which can lead to chest pain, dizziness and headaches.
Progesterone is no less active - it is engaged in "calming" the uterus, but it negatively affects the intestines. Heartburn, flatulence, bloating and constipation occur. nine0005

Feelings of a woman

At this time, a woman feels all the “charms” of pregnancy symptoms: morning sickness, change in taste preferences, severe fatigue and drowsiness, frequent urination, pain in the chest and lower abdomen, slight bloating.
The belly itself at the 3rd week of pregnancy is not visible to others, but you may experience discomfort from your previously beloved skinny jeans and rearrange the fastener in the belt one notch further.
Mood swings are now your "normal" state. nine0005

Development of the fetus in the third week

At this time, the future baby is already more like an embryo: the beginnings of the nervous, hematopoietic, and skeletal systems are laid. Future internal organs and bones are formed.
But the fetus is still small - its size reaches up to 2 mm, and weighs only one gram. On ultrasound in the third week, the fetus looks like a poppy seed.

Diet for the third week

Just like in the previous weeks, it is important to reconsider your lifestyle and give up alcohol and tobacco without fail. All this can then affect the baby and his health. nine0229 The 3rd week of pregnancy in a woman's life should be calm: without heavy physical and moral stress, hypothermia and overheating.
The diet at this time should be significantly revised if you have not previously been an adherent of a healthy diet. Now it is important to have a balanced diet rich in vitamins and minerals.
If necessary, your gynecologist at the Ivimed clinic may prescribe an additional complex of supplements or individual elements, such as folic acid.

It is characterized by all the same signs as in the third week, only menstruation still does not occur, and the symptoms of pregnancy are getting brighter. nine0005

What happens in the mother's body

The belly is still not noticeable, but the breasts increase significantly in size. This is how the body prepares for lactation. The nipples may darken.
Hormones continue to “rage”, which is why the expectant mother has problems with the intestines and digestive organs.
If red or brown discharge appears at this time, you need to urgently consult a doctor - the risk of miscarriage this week is very high.

How a woman feels

Symptoms of pregnancy become clearer: pronounced toxicosis, severe fatigue. Drawing pains in the lower abdomen and more abundant (not bloody!) Discharge is the norm.
The chest continues to grow and therefore delivers a lot of unpleasant moments.