I am One Week Pregnant, How Is My Baby Growing?

Early pregnancy is not obvious to other people.

Unless a woman is anticipating being pregnant, she may pass through the first weeks unaware of the changes occurring in her womb. It is not unusual to discover the state of being pregnant somewhere around six weeks gestation or more. Doctors don't usually ask to see a woman until the end of the first trimester, or around week 12, while midwives typically schedule the first visit around week eight.

Conception

Conception occurs when the egg is fertilized by a sperm.

About 11 to 14 days after the first day of a woman's menstrual cycle, an egg is released from the ovary. It travels down the fallopian tubes to the uterus. Conception occurs when the egg is fertilized by a sperm.

Before Conception

Avoid harmful substances such as cigarettes and alcohol when attempting to conceive.

Nutrition and environmental factors play a part in successful conception. When a woman wants to conceive, she should avoid caffeine, alcohol, recreational drugs, nicotine, and some pharmaceutical medications. Take a good prenatal vitamin to improve prenatal health and eat a balanced diet.

Signs of Pregnancy

Fatigue is a common symptom in early pregnancy.

Tender breasts, fatigue and nausea are common symptoms in early pregnancy. Rising levels of the pregnancy hormone human chorionic gonadotropin, commonly called hCG cause these symptoms. At this point the baby is in the embryonic stage and is experiencing rapid cell division. Pregnancy is not usually confirmed until after the first missed period.

References

• American Pregnancy: Preconception: 1st and 2nd Weeks Pregnancy
• Parents: 13 Signs You May Be Pregnant

Resources

• "Natural Childbirth The Bradley Way"; Susan McCutcheon; 1984
• "Ina May's Guide to Childbirth"; Ina May Gaskin; 2003