• About
  • Contact
  • Facebook
  • Pinterest
Pregged.com
  • Getting Pregnant
    • Am I Pregnant?
    • Unplanned Pregnancy
    • Miscarriage
  • Pregnancy
    • Pregnancy Symptoms
    • Pregnancy Health
    • Mental Health
    • 1st Trimester
    • 2nd Trimester
    • 3rd Trimester
  • Week by Week
  • Relationships
    • Dads
  • Getting Ready
    • Labor
    • Birth
    • Postpartum
    • Baby
    • Baby Names
    • Baby Astrology
    • Breastfeeding
  • Shop
    • Pregnancy Products
    • Maternity Wear
    • Baby Gear
    • Diapers
    • Postpartum Products
    • Gift Ideas
  • Getting Pregnant
    • Am I Pregnant?
    • Unplanned Pregnancy
    • Miscarriage
  • Pregnancy
    • Pregnancy Symptoms
    • Pregnancy Health
    • Mental Health
    • 1st Trimester
    • 2nd Trimester
    • 3rd Trimester
  • Week by Week
  • Relationships
    • Dads
  • Getting Ready
    • Labor
    • Birth
    • Postpartum
    • Baby
    • Baby Names
    • Baby Astrology
    • Breastfeeding
  • Shop
    • Pregnancy Products
    • Maternity Wear
    • Baby Gear
    • Diapers
    • Postpartum Products
    • Gift Ideas
Home » Pregnancy » week by week » 1 Week Pregnant – Pregnancy Week by Week

1 Week Pregnant – Pregnancy Week by Week

  Written by Kimberly Langdon MD Ob/Gyn
  Updated on June 9th, 2023
1 Week Pregnant – Pregnancy Week by Week

Welcome to our pregnancy week-by-week series! Each week-by-week post is separated into three handy sections.

1. Mom – Section one covers the changes Mom will experience and the things she may need to consider health-wise.

2. Baby – Section two looks at the development of the fetus and what’s going on with baby inside the womb.

3. Nutrition – Section three covers nutrition for each week of pregnancy so that you know what foods are important to include in your diet at each stage.

Pregnancy Week 1 – Mom

Did you ever consider that when you go to the doctor thinking you are 5 or 6 weeks pregnant, you are really 7 or 8 weeks along?

That’s because technically you are not pregnant during week one.

I know, shocking right?

The first week of pregnancy doesn’t start at the time of fertilization of the egg or even with implantation of the fertilized egg.

In fact, the first week is usually when you are bleeding from a normal menstrual flow and not even thinking about pregnancy.

By convention, you are given and extra 2 weeks to take into account the time for ovulation (egg release) which is usually about two weeks from the first day of your last period.

This might sound confusing, but it makes sense to calculate the pregnancy this way because years ago, no one had any way of knowing exactly when an egg was fertilized.

The only dates to go by were the dates of your monthly bleed.

Now with artificial reproductive technologies (test-tube pregnancies), the exact day of fertilization can be known.

Your estimated due date is either 40 weeks from your last menstrual period or 38 weeks from ovulation.

Related: If you’re having symptoms and are wondering if you’re pregnant already check out our post on super early and rare pregnancy symptoms for more clues.

Baby Development Week 1

It’s a wonder that there is a population explosion worldwide, when you consider that the chances of any couple getting pregnant in any given month is about 20%.

Pregnancy starts in the brain and requires four organs to get the egg primed for release to be fertilized.

And that’s only the female side of the story.

First, your brain uses two organs called the pituitary and hypothalamus to release hormones that cause the ovary to make the egg and release it.

And then the Fallopian tube, which is technically part of the uterus, must delicately pick up the egg and hold it safely for the sperm to find it.

In the meantime, hormones from the ovary prepare the uterus for a fertilized egg; who happens to be your little precious human being.

Except, wait!

There is nothing living during the first week of pregnancy.

It’s merely a convention to use the first day of the last period to predict a due date or EDC (Estimated Date of Confinement).

Confinement is an old-fashioned term that literally means the day you are expected to be confined to a bed, although many of us choose not to be confined to a bed during labor nowadays.

So, in week one, there isn’t even an egg or a sperm; nothing except 4 organs doing their thing.

Likewise, the man who makes the sperm needs four functioning organs to do his share of the work.

Fair is fair.

Any sperm hanging out now are not the lucky guys.

You can be getting ready for your impending pregnancy by taking at least 400 micrograms of folic acid or around 1000 mg of natural folate along with a prenatal vitamin every day.

It can help to prevent specific birth defects such as spina bifida, which is a spinal cord problem that can cause paralysis.

You must have this folate in your system ahead of conception to support your baby’s healthy development.

Fortunately, spina bifida is very rare.

Most prenatal vitamins have folate and omega-3s from fish oils – but read the labels carefully and ask your healthcare practitioner for recommendations.

>>You got a negative pregnancy test but still don’t have your period? Find out about it here!<<

Want to know what to eat, how to stay healthy, discover how your baby is developing AND find out all the things you need to know during pregnancy? Follow our week by week pregnancy series to find out everything you need to know. Read it here....

Nutrition for Week 1 of Pregnancy

This week certain foods and eating patterns can help you to create the right conditions for conception, and every mom-to-be should know about them.

It’s essential to choose nutrient-dense foods, keep healthy habits, and exercise often to ensure a healthy 40 weeks for you and your baby.

As the first step, avoid dangerous substances including alcohol (even beer and wine), nicotine and non-prescription drugs.

Then, kiss fast food goodbye – French fries, hamburgers, and hot dogs.

When possible, choose baked dishes instead of fried.

Excessive salt, spices, coffee or strong tea are also best avoided during this time.

Low levels of caffeine are generally fine – but say no to the espresso. 

Cook meat for at least 40 minutes to ensure there are no harmful bacteria left. And don’t forget your fresh fruits and vegetables! Many vegetables and plant based foods contain naturally occurring folate, as well as a wide range of other essential vitamins and minerals.

As already mentioned, one of the most crucial vitamins to take before and during pregnancy is folic acid or folate. Folate is a B vitamin that significantly reduces the risk of neural-tube defects in your baby. 

The best food sources of folate are beans, legumes, citrus fruits, and whole grains. Chicken, pork, and fish are also protein sources of folate.

However, folate from foods may be harder to absorb into your body than folic acid supplements so you need to make sure you’re eating plenty of folate rich foods.

If you have a family history of spina bifida, or you take certain prescription medications which increase the risk of neural-tube defects, your healthcare provider may recommend that you take more than 400 micrograms of folic acid each day.

Sources:
1. https://www.whattoexpect.com/pregnancy/week-by-week/weeks-1-and-2.aspx
2. https://www.healthline.com/health/pregnancy/pregnancy-symptoms-week-1
3. https://www.webmd.com/baby/folic-acid-and-pregnancy#1

Related Posts

  • Pregnancy Week 4 – Time to Take a Pregnancy Test!
  • Pregnancy Week 3 – Implantation Time (Hopefully!)
  • 2 Weeks Pregnant – Are You Even Pregnant Yet?
Trending Now
5 Reasons NOT to Worry About Pooping During Labor & Delivery

5 Reasons NOT to Worry About Pooping During Labor & Delivery

Are you freaking out about the thought of pooping during labor and delivery? Have those articles telling you how NOT to poop made you think

What is a Missed Miscarriage?

What is a Missed Miscarriage?

Sadly not every pregnancy ends in the birth of a healthy child. Miscarriage is something all pregnant women fear and it is a heartbreaking experience.

Read more...
Fear of Pregnancy – Understanding Tokophobia

Fear of Pregnancy – Understanding Tokophobia

Fear of pregnancy and the fear of childbirth, isn’t crazy, weird or strange. In fact it’s very common. Some reports suggest that up to 25%

Read more...
Molar Pregnancy – What is it and Why Does it Happen?

Molar Pregnancy – What is it and Why Does it Happen?

A molar pregnancy is a rare abnormality which is caused at conception — that moment when the sperm meets the egg. But what exactly is

Read more...
4 Types of Childbirth Classes for an Easier Labor & Birth

4 Types of Childbirth Classes for an Easier Labor & Birth

From your second trimester onwards you will be bombarded with information about labor and birth. Most women naturally start to worry around this time as

Read more...
Can’t Poop? Safe Constipation Remedies During Pregnancy

Can’t Poop? Safe Constipation Remedies During Pregnancy

Not being able to poop (AKA constipation) is a common problem in pregnancy. Luckily there are a number of remedies you can use to help

Read more...
Blighted Ovum – It’s a Miscarriage NOT a Phantom Pregnancy

Blighted Ovum – It’s a Miscarriage NOT a Phantom Pregnancy

What is a Blighted Ovum? Even though a blighted ovum is a very common form of miscarriage affecting up to 20% of all known pregnancies,

Read more...
Negative Pregnancy Test but No Period? 10 Common Reasons Why

Negative Pregnancy Test but No Period? 10 Common Reasons Why

Your period’s late. You dig that pregnancy test out from the bottom of your drawer and pee on the stick, expecting to see a big

Read more...
3 Ways to Find Out Who The Father of My Baby Is

3 Ways to Find Out Who The Father of My Baby Is

We live in times that are not as straightforward as they used to be. Just a few decades ago it was normally much easier to

Read more...
10 Things Women Hate About Being Pregnant

10 Things Women Hate About Being Pregnant

Pregnancy is a wonderful and magical time. It’s also a time of feeling constantly irritated, annoyed and bloated. Life has ups and downs and so

Read more...
Should I Buy a Home Fetal Doppler? Are They Safe?

Should I Buy a Home Fetal Doppler? Are They Safe?

Fetal dopplers for home use are now widely available and many parents-to-be understandably like the idea of being able to check on baby whenever they

Read more...
The Chinese Gender Prediction Calendar – A Guide

The Chinese Gender Prediction Calendar – A Guide

One of the most common questions we have when we discover we’re pregnant is “will my baby be a boy or a girl?“. The Chinese

Read more...
Can Eating Cinnamon Cause Miscarriage? How Much is Safe?

Can Eating Cinnamon Cause Miscarriage? How Much is Safe?

Pregnancy is a period when expectant mothers become more cautious about their diet, considering the potential impact on their health and the well-being of their

Read more...
8 Ovulation Myths to Ignore When You Want to Get Pregnant

8 Ovulation Myths to Ignore When You Want to Get Pregnant

When you’re trying to get pregnant it’s normal to start spending a lot of time thinking about ovulation. If you get pregnant very easily you

Read more...
10 Common Causes For a Late Period (Including One Science Can’t Explain!)

10 Common Causes For a Late Period (Including One Science Can’t Explain!)

Your period hasn’t arrived as it should and panic starts to set in! Now, wait! Before you go into meltdown and start thinking about dirty

Read more...
Join the Pregged Community
Follow us
  • Facebook
  • Pinterest
Disclosure

Some of the links on Pregged lead to sites we are affiliated with, such as Amazon, and we may earn revenue from them.

The material on this website is provided for educational purposes only and is not to be used for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment, or in place of therapy or medical care. Use of this site is subject to our terms of use and privacy policy.

Links
  • About
  • Contact
  • T & C’s
  • Privacy Policy
Copyright © 2023 Pregged.com. All rights reserved