How to recognise pregnancy in its 1st week?
Are you at a stage of trying for a baby, and with each successive cycle you hope that “this is it”? Do you feel like doing a pregnancy test every day, but you are not sure when it makes any sense and there is a chance to detect pregnancy?
And probably the most important question - is it possible at all to diagnose pregnancy in its 1st week? Before we answer those questions, let’s begin with establishing the moment from which the pregnancy duration is counted.
How can you determine the beginning of pregnancy?
The 1st pregnancy week - what does it actually mean? If you have already used the applications for calculating the pregnancy age, you are well aware that you always need to provide the first day of your last menstruation for this purpose. It is this sate that is considered to be the first day of your pregnancy. But will you experience the pregnancy signs then? Of course, it is not that moment.
So, with those issues cleared, let’s analyse another question. In that case, the first pregnancy week would end on Day 7 of your last menstruation, at the moment when you probably have not even ovulated yet. So, can you recognise pregnancy in its 1st week? Of course not! However, it can definitely be recognised in the 1st week after the date of expected menstruation! But you will find out more about this further in the text...
Early signs of pregnancy
Are you waiting for another period, but your body tries to let you know that something extraordinary is happening? This may mean pregnancy!
Read about first signs of pregnancy and think whether you also are experiencing or have experienced them.
Headache and dizziness
Both headache and dizziness may develop relatively early; frequently, they are first signs of pregnancy. They are caused by hormone fluctuations, characteristics for pregnancy. So, when even before the date of your menstruation you feel weak and experience frequent episodes of dizziness, and you also have reasons to suspect that you may be pregnant, you should do the test.
Headaches may disappear after several weeks, but in some cases, they can persist for much longer. This is a very individual thing.
Larger breasts
At the beginning of pregnancy, breasts are not only enlarged, but usually also very tender. Breast tenderness belongs to sings occurring in the majority of women. In extreme cases, future mums find even the slightest touch painful, so it is a great problem for them, affecting their daily activities.
Are you wondering when your breasts will return to their normal size and condition? Most probably, you will have to wait for this for a while. Breasts go down in size when the lactation period ends, but breast pain and tenderness should resolve much earlier, sometimes already after the first trimester, i.e., the 13th pregnancy week.
Morning sickness and/or vomiting
Those pregnancy signs are (unfortunately) perfectly known to the great majority of women. Both nausea and vomiting belong to those more burdensome signs of pregnancy. They occur regularly (frequently on each day, for many weeks) and can be really trying for future mums.
Is there any medicine for these signs of pregnancy? Apparently, some women find ginger pills helpful, but there are other, who simply need to get through this time, and nothing works for them. Fortunately, in the majority of cases, they actually disappear after the end of the first pregnancy trimester.
As a matter of fact, the great majority of pregnant women very impatiently wait for that 14th or 15th pregnancy week to come, as not only many pregnancy symptoms resolve at that time, but also it is the end of the period that is the most dangerous for the baby.
Can you breathe a sigh of relief then and enjoy this unique time more? Yes, you can! However, you should also remember to undergo regular examinations and tests, to make sure that everything is alright.
Heartburn
Similarly, as morning sickness, it is quite burdensome for future mums. It is caused by increased progesterone levels, so characteristic for the beginning of the pregnancy. In many women, heartburn disappears after first several weeks of pregnancy. However, it cannot be denied that in some cases they may persist until the end of pregnancy. It is a very individual thing.
Elevated body temperature
The elevated body temperature also belongs to first signs of pregnancy. Even before the date of expected menstruation, you may feel slightly unwell, as if you were about to fall ill. Then your temperature may oscillate around 37 degrees Celsius, but, unlike in the case of infection, it will not rise, and no other signs, so characteristic for a cold, will develop.
In the case of some pregnant women, this elevated body temperature can be maintained throughout pregnancy. It is completely normal, and you do not have to worry about this (of course, if it is not accompanied by other worrying signs).
Belly ache
Belly ache is the last of pregnancy signs that we want to discuss. Frequently, it is described as something bad, certain sources even treat it as a sign of ectopic pregnancy. Fortunately, in the majority of cases it is a physiological symptom of pregnancy and you do not have to worry about it.
Apart from belly aches, similar signs of pregnancy also include a feeling of tension in the lower abdomen, light uterine contractions, or pain in the lower back.
First signs of pregnancy - when?
In the majority of women, all first signs of pregnancy described above occur in the first trimester. However, if you would like to learn in which specific pregnancy week you can expect them, unfortunately, we are not able to answer that question.
This is caused by the fact that in different pregnant women early signs of pregnancy may develop in different pregnancy weeks. Some future mums say that even before they did a pregnancy test on a day of expected menstruation, they knew perfectly well that they were going to have a baby. Other do not feel any difference at the beginning, and only a lack of menstruation made them suspect that they could be pregnant.
What should you do at the beginning of pregnancy?
Your period did not arrive, you did a pregnancy test, and you have developed first signs of pregnancy. What should you do now? Are you looking for reliable information, what should you do, step by step, to confirm pregnancy and make sure that everything is OK with your baby? Are you wondering what you should avoid so you do not harm either yourself or your baby? You have come to the right place! Here you will find all details you need, described in an accessible language.
Selecting a doctor to look after you during pregnancy and the first visit
It is very important to choose well a doctor that will look after you and your baby throughout pregnancy, because this will influence the quality of care provided. There are plenty of gynaecologists available (even in small places, gynaecology and obstetrics offices are quite numerous), but the most important thing is to find a doctor that will suit you in every way!
During the first visit, which should take place between the 6th and 8th pregnancy week, the doctor will evaluate whether everything is alright for a given period of pregnancy. Most probably, you will also already hear the foetal heartbeat, and this can be very moving. The gynaecologist will also prescribe a number of tests and examinations for you that you need to have performed.
First laboratory tests
In the first pregnancy trimester, you need to have a number of tests performed. They include:
determining your blood type and Rh factor;
a complete blood count;
blood glucose levels;
a serologic test for syphilis; and
urinalysis.
Of course, there are many other tests available, and you will be informed about everything by the gynaecologist at your first visit during pregnancy.
First trimester ultrasound scan
The genetic ultrasound, or the first trimester ultrasound scan, is very important in terms of foetal diagnostics and an assessment of a risk of certain genetic diseases. It should be performed by a doctor holding a relevant license (FMF). Then, you can be sure that everything that needs to be examined will actually be reliably analysed.
A visit to a dentist
The first pregnancy trimester is also a good time to visit a dentist. Although not all procedures can be performed, you should definitely have your teeth checked. If anybody tells you that you should not have your teeth treated during pregnancy, they are definitely wrong! Even if the required procedure is forbidden in the first trimester, it is better to know about the problem in advance and arrange a visit at a later date.
What is important, problems with teeth may pose a hazard to your baby! Advanced caries is particularly dangerous, as it may cause bacteria spread in the pregnant woman’s body.
Regular taking of medicines and dietary supplements for pregnant women
You had all necessary tests and it turned out that not all parameters are normal? It is good to know about this as early as possible, so you can act immediately!
In such case, contact a doctor in charge of your pregnancy. They will definitely tell you which medicines and/or dietary supplements you should take to improve your results.
While folic acid is something you find rather easy to remember about, there are also other formulations that are good for you during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Preferably, you should consult them individually with your gynaecologist. Remember that incorrect use of such products may result in health problems in you and your baby.
Change in your habits
We know very well that it is easier to write than do... However, we cannot leave such an important issue as a change in your habits out!
Dynamic changes in the body of a future mum start to occur already in first weeks of her pregnancy. They involve both physiological and mental aspects. Thus, it is worth to rethink many matters and change what may be harmful to you.
Another important aspect requiring a specific attention is your attitude towards stressful situations. Furthermore, you should limit the time in front of a screen and try to spend much more time outdoors.
It is also crucial to change your dietary habits, especially during first pregnancy weeks, but not only. We think it does not have to be mentioned that the future mum should forget about stimulants, while she should maintain the balanced diet at all times!
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