First Week of Pregnancy Symptoms

You think you might be pregnant but you are not sure. There are certain symptoms of pregnancy you should know. If you think you are pregnant, a home pregnancy test will confirm it. If your pregnancy test is positive, make an appointment with your doctor right away to start getting prenatal care. Once your pregnancy is confirmed, you do not have to worry about pregnancy symptoms--you are, indeed, pregnant!

Information About You and the Baby

Ovulation occurs about 14 days after your period. During this time an egg is released for fertilization. If conception does not occur, then menstruation will start. The due date of your baby is calculated from the first day of your last menstrual period and not from the date of conception. If your period is regular, then conception generally occurs about 21 days after the first day of the last menses.

Importance of Pregnancy

It is only natural to have questions concerning your pregnancy. When sperm and egg meet, the growth of the baby begins its incredible nine-month journey towards birth. Basically, the first trimester lays the foundation for you and your baby. However, certain things can happen and ultimately miscarriage can occur. It is very important to see an obstetrician, otherwise known as an OB/GYN, as soon as you know or suspect you are pregnant.

First Trimester

The first two weeks are usually when the process of ovulation and fertilization occurs. Some women may experience symptoms and some may not. The first couple of weeks the body will produce estrogen and progesterone to prepare the body for ovulation, where the ovaries will release an egg. If conception takes place the egg will travel up the fallopian tubes to the uterus, where it will call home for the next nine months.

Symptoms

Once you have ovulated and conceived, early signs and symptoms of pregnancy will begin.

· Missed period
· Feeling fatigued
· Frequent urination
· Nausea and vomiting (morning sickness)
· Dizziness or fainting
· Food cravings
· Sensitivity to smell
· Mood swings
· Irritable
· Heartburn
· Constipation
· Dull lower back pain
· Bloating
· Weight gain
· Body temperature is higher
· Implantation bleeding (spotting happens when the embryo implants into the uterus)
· Positive pregnancy test

Pregnancy Warnings

Once the pregnancy is confirmed, there is still a chance a woman can miscarry. A miscarriage is a pregnancy loss where the baby has stopped developing and the pregnancy is no longer viable. A miscarriage usually occurs during the first trimester during a woman's pregnancy. There are a few types of miscarriages and almost all miscarriages occur during the first few weeks of pregnancy. Most woman who do have bleeding give birth to healthy babies.

References

• Healthy Pregnancy