Pregnancy Week 1
Your due date will be calculated from the first day of your last menstrual period. Conception occurs about two weeks from this day, and that's when you're truly considered pregnant. In just 40 short weeks, your baby will grow from the size of a tiny seed to the size of a plump watermelon.
Baby's Length: 0.00in.
Baby's Weight: 0.00oz.
Mom's Changing Body
If you're trying to conceive (or think you might already be pregnant), start making health changes to ensure that your body is in the best shape for carrying and nurturing your baby. The biggies: cut out alcohol, cigarettes, and any illegal or recreational drugs. You may also need to switch or stop taking some prescription and over-the-counter medications. So tell your doctor that you're trying to conceive and make sure any medications you're using are safe.
Baby? What baby? This concept may be a little hard to wrap your head around, but even though you're technically in the first week of pregnancy, you're not quite expecting — yet. Here's the deal: Because it's generally impossible to know the exact moment of conception, most healthcare providers count 40 weeks from the first day of your last menstrual period (LMP) to calculate your due date. According to this method, they date the beginning of "pregnancy" from about two weeks before the sperm penetrates the egg — which is where you are right now. Already spotted that pink line on a home pregnancy test? You're further along than you think, so skip ahead to Week 4.
Weekly Tip
Speak with your doctor about adding a prenatal multivitamin to your morning routine. At least 400 micrograms of folic acid every day can help prevent certain birth defects that affect your baby's brain, heart, and spinal cord, especially if you take it before you conceive and in the early weeks of your pregnancy. See that your supplements contain added goodies like calcium, iron, and Vitamin B12 as well.
There's no ultrasound image of your baby-to-be for weeks 1 and 2. While your health care provider counts these two weeks toward your due date, you aren't really pregnant. Confused? Your pregnancy due date is calculated using the first day of your last menstrual period (LMP). Obviously you weren't pregnant at that time, but it's the best reference your health care provider has for estimating baby's arrival day (until you get an ultrasound, which may provide a more accurate due date).
Watch Baby's Growth
This Week's To-Do List
This Week's FAQs
Must-Reads
Related Content
-
5 Things You Can Do For Your Fertility During the Pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic has forced many people to hit the brakes on their family planning. Here's what experts say you can do right now to invest in and prepare for a future pregnancy. -
Your Chances of Getting Pregnant at Every Age
Get familiar with these pregnancy statistics by age so can increase your odds of conceiving in your 20s, 30s, 40s and beyond. -
20 Things All Couples Should Do Before Getting Pregnant
So you're thinking about trying to get pregnant? Congrats! Here's what to do now to get healthy, have fun, and feel prepared to start trying to conceive.
-
How Your Period Affects Your Chances of Getting Pregnant
Trying to conceive but not pregnant yet? Maybe it's time to look to your monthly (or not-so-monthly) period for clues about why those two pink lines haven't showed up yet on your pregnancy test. -
At-Home Fertility Tests and Treatments: Understanding the Pros and Cons
From at-home IVF kits to comprehensive DIY hormone tests that ship right to your door, the latest technology is empowering people who are trying to conceive.
