Besides tiredness, bloating, or cramps, the first week of pregnancy may go unnoticed.
Medically reviewed by Dr. Christian Pope, DO, FACOG
Written by Shreeja Pillai, MSc
Edited by Rebecca Malachi, BSc
Fact-checked by Aneesha Amonz, BSc • Jan 23, 2024
Research-backed
Image: MomJunction Design Team
The first symptom of your pregnancy is considered to be your missed period. Along with that, there are other symptoms of pregnancy in the first month that you might experience. Your body begins to prepare for the baby, and there are many hormonal changes taking place as well.
But an interesting fact that you should note is that you are not pregnant in the first two weeks of your pregnancy. So why are the two weeks counted in the gestation period? Read on to understand more about this and other changes that are happening in your body when you are 1 week pregnant.
In This Article
- The First Week Of Pregnancy
- Fetal Development In the First Week Of Pregnancy
- Body Changes During The First Week Of Pregnancy
- What Are The First Week Pregnancy Symptoms?
- Tips For First Week Of Pregnancy
- Tips For Dad-to-be
- What Can You Ask Your Doctor?
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Infographic: Things You Must Do While Planning Your Pregnancy
- Key Pointers
The First Week Of Pregnancy
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Experiencing symptoms of pregnancy in the first week is uncommon. Most women might not know they are pregnant in the first week as it is difficult to feel any change in the reproductive system at this phase. However, if you have been planning to get pregnant, you must be tracking your menstrual cycle diligently. In such a case, you may be able to figure out or guess if you are experiencing one-week pregnancy symptoms. Let’s see how to calculate it.
The calculation of 40 weeks starts from the first day of your last period – this calculation is used to determine what is called the gestational age. That means you are actually on your period in the first week. Two weeks after that, or around day 14, you start ovulating, which is why the early symptoms of pregnancy and your period symptoms are similar.
After five or six days of ovulation, implantation occurs, which means the fertilized egg is implanted on to the uterus lining. This is the time when you technically become pregnant (1). The first two weeks is when your body is preparing for the pregnancy, which is why they are considered a part of the 40-week pregnancy period.
Related: Pregnancy Week By Week – Symptoms, Baby Development, And Body Changes
Fetal Development In The First Week Of Pregnancy
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There is no sign of the baby at such an early stage of pregnancy as this is the time when your body is preparing for ovulation. However, the first stage of its development starts in the coming weeks when the mature egg is fertilized by the sperm and forms the zygote, which is the first cell. Then cell division results in blastocyst or ball of cells (2).
Then there is the division of cells, after which the fertilized egg is implanted onto the uterine wall. Finally, the embryo is formed and this starts the initial development stage of the baby.
Continue reading to know the first week of pregnancy symptoms in your body.
Quick fact
The baby’s genetic makeup and gender differentiation are established by conception (5).
Body Changes During The First Week Of Pregnancy
In the first week of pregnancy, you will be on your periods. So you may not know your early pregnancy symptoms. During this time, your body sheds the previous month’s eggs and uterine lining. After the first week, new and mature eggs will be released, and the uterine lining begins to thicken again.
Related: Endometrium Thickness In Pregnancy: Symptoms and Treatment
In the next section, we will discuss the symptoms that are observed during and before periods, which are quite similar to the first week symptoms of pregnancy.
What Are The First Week Pregnancy Symptoms?
The first week pregnancy symptoms may include the following (3).
- As the fluctuation in hormones is severe at this time, you may experience bloating and discomfort during the first week.
- You may feel extremely tired even if you are doing nothing. That could be because your body is preparing for pregnancy.
Image: Shutterstock
- You may notice swollen and tender breasts around this week due to hormonal changes in the body. You may crave for salty or sweet foods during the first week. Food cravings and aversions are likely to happen, and they increase in the coming weeks.
- Headache, cramps, and pain in the lower back are some other common symptoms that you may experience in the first week. However, if they become severe, call your doctor.
- Changes in vaginal discharge is another early sign of pregnancy, when the cervical mucus turns thicker.
Takara Oneá, a mother, recalls in her vlog the symptoms she had in her first week and says, “During the time of my pregnancy, I had a very increased thirst like I was dying of thirst and drinking a lot of Sprite thinking I was dehydrated… I also honestly thought the Sprite would help with me being so nauseous during this time, so I was drinking a bunch of those for my upset stomach, as well as saltine crackers, which are the only things I wanted. I was extremely tired and couldn’t get out of bed. I didn’t want to be bothered because of the nausea (i).”
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Read on for a few tips on how to take care of yourself in the first week of pregnancy.
Tips For First Week Of Pregnancy
Chances are you won’t know when the first week of pregnancy is. So if you are planning to become pregnant, it is essential that you start maintaining a healthy lifestyle right away. Here are a few things to keep in mind to enhance your fertility and stay healthy in the first week of pregnancy (4).
- If you are a smoker, stop smoking right from the time you decide to conceive. Also, stop the consumption of alcohol. to avoid any risk of pregnancy complications, such as miscarriage.
- Maintain an active lifestyle by eating healthy foods and exercising. Your body needs to be healthy and fit to carry the baby.
Related: 20 Healthy Foods To Eat During Pregnancy
- You may ask your doctor about the vitamins needed for prenatal care and start taking them to increase the chances of a healthy pregnancy.
Image: Shutterstock
- Make sure you are sleeping well; this is important to stay mentally and physically active.
- If you have been planning to have a baby, keep track of your menstrual cycle. You can use ovulation calendars and apps to make your job easier.
Point to consider
Pregnant women or those trying to conceive should take 400mcg of folic acid supplement and 10mcg of vitamin D for proper fetal development (1).
If you need more guidance at this stage, you may talk to your gynecologist or obstetrician.
Tips For Dad-To-Be
Here are some tips for mom’s partner to provide support and get involved (10).
- Work out the due date together to track the pregnancy timeline.
- Ensure both your partner and you maintain a healthy lifestyle.
- Encourage your partner to take vitamin D and folic acid supplements for a healthy pregnancy.
- Support open communication with a midwife or GP about pregnancy symptoms or concerns.
- Sign up for pregnancy emails to stay informed about pregnancy progress.
- Start planning your finances and explore available time-off options from work.
- Look for antenatal classes in your area to prepare for the journey ahead.
Actively engaging in these supportive actions during the first week of pregnancy can help create a strong foundation for a healthy and well-prepared pregnancy journey.
What Can You Ask Your Doctor?
When you and your partner plan to have a baby, talk to your doctor. Clear all your doubts, such as a change in diet, use of prenatal vitamins, tracking the ovulation cycle, and more. Get as much information as you need for a successful conception.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can a pregnancy test be positive at one week?
A pregnancy test kit may be able to detect pregnancy as early as ten days after unprotected sex, but you cannot trust these results completely. The best time to take the test would be three weeks after sexual intercourse(6).
2. What should you not do before a pregnancy test?
If you use a home pregnancy test kit, you should avoid drinking too much water before the test as it may dilute the urine and affect the test result(7).
3. Does a faint line on the pregnancy test strip mean I am pregnant?
A faint line on the pregnancy test strip may represent an early pregnancy, or it may be an evaporation line. The kit detects pregnancy hormones in your urine, so a faint line could mean low levels of the hormone in your body, which may indicate that you are in your early days of pregnancy. It is also possible that the faint line is an evaporation line if you read the test after the recommended time in the instructions. Keep in mind that certain medications may result in a faint line. For example, medicines for infertility may have the pregnancy hormone which the test kit may show (8) (9).
The first week of pregnancy can be tricky since you are not technically pregnant, and the baby hasn’t started developing yet. Further, you may not realize that you are pregnant because the first week pregnancy signs, such as bloating, cramps, and swollen breasts, resemble those of premenstrual syndrome. Therefore, it is recommended that you take the necessary steps right when you begin planning your pregnancy. Further, consult your obstetrician/gynecologist to understand the measures you should take and the dietary changes required to ensure effective pre-pregnancy health.
Infographic: Things You Must Do While Planning Your Pregnancy
One-week pregnancy symptoms may not be too evident, making it very important to be careful right from when you start planning your pregnancy. So take notes from this infographic and pin it to your wall to have the essential tips to follow for a safe and healthy pregnancy.
Get high-quality PDF version by clicking below. Download Infographic
Key Pointers
- A missed period is often seen as the first indication of pregnancy.
- You may experience bloating, food cravings, fatigue, and cramps throughout the body.
- A healthy diet, exercise, and avoiding smoking and alcohol can help with having an uncomplicated pregnancy.
- Consult your healthcare practitioner for guidance on your symptoms and any other concerns you may have.
Personal Experience: Source
i. Symptoms of Pregnancy first weeks! Signs to look out for + how I knew!
