How do you feel first week of pregnancy

Pregnancy symptoms week 1: Early signs

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Some women have no pregnancy symptoms at week 1, while others may experience symptoms such as fatigue, breast tenderness, and mild cramping.

Typically, medical professionals measure pregnancy week 1 from the first day of a woman’s last menstrual period. Although a woman is not actually pregnant at this point, counting week 1 from the last menstrual period can help determine a woman’s estimated pregnancy due date.

However, this article will refer to pregnancy week 1 as starting a week after conception, meaning the literal first week of pregnancy.

A missed menstrual period is often the primary symptom of early pregnancy.

Conception, or fertilization, occurs when the ovary releases an egg (ovulation), and a sperm fertilizes it. This can happen about 14 days after the menstrual cycle starts, according to March of Dimes.

According to Planned Parenthood, implantation begins about 6–7 days after conception. This is when the fertilized egg attaches to the lining of the uterus. This movement of the egg may break down blood vessels within the uterus wall, which may cause light bleeding and cramping.

Bleeding

Implantation bleeding is an early sign of pregnancy. It is not like a menstrual period. Instead, it is light bleeding that may involve a single spot of blood or a small amount of pink discharge. The spotting may last for a few hours, or it may last for a few days.

Cramping

Women may also feel mild cramping as the embryo attaches to the uterus wall. Women may feel these cramps in the abdomen, pelvis, or low back area.

The cramping may feel like a pulling, tingling, or pricking sensation. Some women experience only a few minor cramps, while others may feel occasional discomfort that comes and goes over a few days.

Pregnancy symptoms in week 1 are different for every woman and every pregnancy. According to the Office on Women’s Health, the most common first sign of pregnancy is a missed menstrual period.

Other early pregnancy symptoms include:

nausea with or without vomiting
breast changes including tenderness, swelling, or tingling feeling, or noticeable blue veins
frequent urination
headache
raised basal body temperature
bloating in the belly or gas
mild pelvic cramping or discomfort without bleeding
tiredness or fatigue
irritability or mood swings
food cravings or aversions
a heightened sense of smell
metallic taste in the mouth

Not all of these symptoms are unique to pregnancy. It is also important to note that early pregnancy does not always cause noticeable symptoms.

The best way for a person to find out if they are pregnant is to take a pregnancy test.

A pregnancy test measures the amount of Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG) hormone in the urine. This hormone is only present when a woman is pregnant. As the egg grows into an embryo, the cells that surround it and later become the placenta produce hCG.

Planned Parenthood indicate that it is best to take a pregnancy test as soon after a missed period as possible. A pregnancy test may return a positive result as early as 10 days after a person has had sex without contraception. However, it typically takes about 3 weeks before there’s enough hCG in the urine to produce a positive pregnancy test.

There are many affordable and reliable pregnancy tests available over-the-counter (OTC) or online. A home pregnancy test can tell whether you are pregnant in a few minutes, with most claiming to offer almost 99% accuracy.

To help ensure an accurate result, the best time to take a pregnancy test is 1 week after a missed period. Results of a pregnancy test are either positive or negative.

If a woman takes the pregnancy test earlier than 1 week after a missed period, it may give a negative result, even if the person is actually pregnant.

If a person believes they are pregnant despite a negative test result, they should repeat the test after 1 week.

To avoid a false negative result, check the pregnancy test’s expiration date, and carefully follow the written directions.

A person can also have a blood test to determine whether they are pregnant. This test identifies the presence of hCG in the blood. The blood test can show a positive result a few days earlier than the urine test can, but it may take up to 48 hrs to get the results back from the lab.

Pregnancy symptoms are different for every woman. Some women may notice symptoms, such as spotting or a headache, during week 1 of pregnancy. Others may only experience a missed period. Some women will have no symptoms at all.

Whether a person has symptoms or not, the best way to determine if they are pregnant is to take a pregnancy test.

A range of pregnancy tests is available for purchase online.

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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1 month of pregnancy { 1 - 4 weeks }

Pregnancy is a cardinal change not only in a woman's body, but also in the 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 life “before” 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. And the 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.
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 looser 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.
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.

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.

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.

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.
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 stalk, 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.
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.

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.

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 previously beloved skinny jeans and rearrange the fastener in the belt one notch further.
Mood swings are now your "normal" state.

Fetal development 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 fruit 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.
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.

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. Many women note the inability to sleep on their stomach due to the grown and painful breasts.
Taste addictions can shock others and drive family members crazy. But here it is important to remain calm and remember that this will soon pass.

Dimensions of the baby at 4 weeks

The future baby is still small, but he already has a single-chamber heart, the formation of internal systems and organs continues. At this time, the intestines and reproductive system are born.
You can already see it on ultrasound. what the fetus looks like at week 4 - this is the fetal egg, where the embryo is formed and hear the baby's heartbeat.
But ultrasound is usually done at this time if there are fears of an ectopic or multiple pregnancy, a threat of abortion.

Tips and advice

To combat morning sickness, doctors recommend:

be at least an hour in the fresh air a day
eat small portions, but more often
eat cookies or a couple of mints without getting out of bed
lollipops, a slice of lemon or tangerine
drink tea with ginger, which is good for removing nausea
eat more protein
get more rest
avoid hypothermia and reduce physical activity

However, if you feel great, just continue enjoying your new position and take care of your health and your baby's!

Medical team

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Stepanova Alla Vladimirovna

Obstetrician-gynecologist, ultrasound doctor

20 years old

5 2 reviews

Silaev Vadim Igorevich

Obstetrician-gynecologist of the clinic Aivimed Zhytomyr

Medical practice since 2018

5 2 reviews

Nikitina Anastasia Sergeevna

Medical director of the clinic Aivimed Zhitomir, obstetrician-gynecologist, reproductive specialist

Medical practice since 2010

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EARLY SIGNS OF PREGNANCY

All girls have heard about the first signs of pregnancy, the so-called discharge .

How else can you tell if you are pregnant or not? Let's say you had a long delay in your menstrual cycle. Time flies, and menstrual bleeding does not start. In this case, you will systematically feel nausea, while the mammary glands will seem heavy to you.

In addition to discharge, another sign of pregnancy is the constant thirst for sleep. The everyday activities of the people around you are annoying, and besides, you become very nervous about the presence of certain smells.

In addition to discharge, the first sign of pregnancy is an increase in appetite. Food begins to evaporate from your refrigerator at an astonishing rate and in a variety of combinations of ingredients. At the same time, saliva may still flow, and the number of midnight trips to the toilet will also increase. During the day, you can’t walk for a long time either, this is problematic because of the constant desire to urinate.

All of these discharges and other signs may be present both together and separately. Often a woman talks about a delay in the menstrual cycle in the absence of any deviations in her state of health.

There is an accessible and easy way to clarify these facts. Of course, no method will give you 100% guarantees. You can get a reliable 100% conclusion only after an examination by a gynecologist and a special diagnosis (examination). However, when the first signs of pregnancy appear (discharge, etc.) in the initial 10-12 days of the deviation of the menstrual cycle from the chronology, even in a good clinic you will not be able to guarantee the results of studies to determine pregnancy.

If menstruation does not start at the expected time, then after waiting for the morning, measure the body temperature in the rectum. An ordinary thermometer (medical, of course) is inserted into the rectum as soon as you wake up. Do not get out of bed while performing this operation. Doctors advise to prepare a thermometer in the evening and put it near the bed.

Need more than 6 hours of sleep. The thermometer is inserted behind the muscle that compresses the anus. The insertion depth of the thermometer is 2 centimeters, and the measurement time is from five to seven minutes. Record the measurement results. Measure body temperature every day for 7-10 days. If the temperature is most often more than 37 C, then this indicates the presence of the first signs of pregnancy.

In the absence of menstruation for 3 or more days, as well as in the presence of the first signs of pregnancy (discharge), gynecologists recommend doing a test to determine early pregnancy (most of the tests that are commercially available detect the presence of pregnancy already on the 1st day of delay !). They are easy to use and quite reliable.

The confidence probability of the test turns out to be much higher if it is carried out two or three times.

Outwardly, these tests are all different, but they are based on one chemical reaction to a specific hormone called human chorionic gonadotropin. This hormone is produced during pregnancy. The breakdown products of the hormone are excreted in the urine. The chemical reagent that drinks the dough plate interacts with these products.

Check that the test has not expired. For the experiment, the purpose of which are the first signs of pregnancy (discharge, etc.) it is better to use morning urine. After sleep, the content of the hormone and its decay products in the female body increases. This means that the probability that the tester will detect this increases. If you are a person who does not trust such tests, then as an option you can do a urine test to quantify the content of hCG. Although, this analysis is carried out by far not every medical and diagnostic center.

Let's say 3-4 weeks have passed, the temperature in the rectum is systematically over 37 degrees, and the test for determining signs of pregnancy gave a positive result 2 times. At the same time, you feel great, there are no subjective disorders and you are full of energy. There may even be an emotional upsurge. Do you need a women's consultation to determine the first signs of pregnancy? Need. To begin with, to confirm that the pregnancy is uterine, and also that the fetal egg was formed precisely in the uterine cavity.

In the normal course of pregnancy, fertilization occurs in the uterine cavity itself. After all, a fertilized egg must reach the site of implantation (through the fallopian tube). If there are any obstacles in the way of the fetal egg (narrowing in the fallopian tube or in the tubal angle of the uterus), and also if the fertilized egg moves for a very long time, or the egg is too large to pass the fallopian tube, then such an egg will not enter the uterine cavity.

In this case, an ectopic or ectopic pregnancy may occur and develop. Remember that an ectopic pregnancy in the earliest period shows the same qualitative reactions as the uterine one. In general, the first signs of pregnancy, discharge for example, are universal for pregnancy in the general case.

A gynecologist can detect only indirect first signs of pregnancy, such as plethora of the external genital organs, discoloration of the mucous membrane of the cervix and vagina. It turns blue (acquires a cyanotic hue). In addition, softening of the isthmus (the place where the body of the uterus and its cervix connects) may be noted.

In general, the body of the uterus may be quite large and soft, and may also appear asymmetrical due to swelling at the site of implantation of the ovum.

The uterine appendages are palpated (felt) by a gynecologist. Sometimes it happens that during a normally developing pregnancy, growths are found in the places where the appendages of the cervix are projected. These changes are usually reversible and the normal structure of the ovary is gradually restored. Such growths may appear as corpus luteum or corpus luteum cysts. However, these formations can also be pathological.

To find out if this is the case, you need to resort to other methods of determining the presence of discharge and other first signs of pregnancy.