First week of pregnancy: signs and sensations

The first week of pregnancy is a conditional concept, as there is no pregnancy as such. The woman's body is only preparing for the most intimate moment - the conception of the baby.If it happens, this will be known not earlier than in 3-4 weeks.

Table of contents: How is gestational age calculated?Changes in the body of a woman Pregnancy test, ultrasound and other studies What should I look for?Nutrition and lifestyle

How is the gestational age calculated?

The absence of the fetus in the womb of the mother during the first week of pregnancy is explained by the features of determining the period of pregnancy.It is calculated by two methods: embryonic and obstetric( or gestational).

The embryonic period shows the duration of intrauterine fetal development and is counted from the date of conception, which presumably falls on the 14th day of the cycle( of course, if a woman has a 28-day menstrual cycle).Pregnancy, calculated in this way, can not be considered accurate, since it is very difficult for both the future mother and doctors to determine that the conception occurred on one particular day, especially with a regular sexual life.

A woman can lose the cycle - ovulation can easily move in one direction or the other and occur, for example, on the 12th or 17th day.In addition, we should also take into account the fact that, after ovulation, the ovum remains viable for about 2 more days, and spermatozoa even more - they retain their fertilizing activity for at least 3-4 days after exiting the male reproductive tract.That is, the embryonic period can "walk" in one or the other direction for almost one week.Therefore, in order to avoid confusion, in practice obstetrician-gynecologists use obstetric terms.

Obstetrical term is easier to calculate - it counts from the first day of the last menstruation( thus, the obstetrical time is always 2 weeks longer than the embryonic period).This information, as a rule, is remembered by all women. It is from this date that doctors are repelled when calculating the expected date of delivery.On our site, we will also talk about pregnancy for weeks that correspond to obstetric terms.

You can see how the conception occurs and how a small person develops in the womb of the mother, you can watch this animated video:

Changes in the body of a woman

In the first week of pregnancy( if you count the obstetric period)There is a menstruation, therefore all changes in the body and discomfort are connected with this physiological phenomenon .That is, expectant mothers are concerned about :

• Increased weakness, drowsiness, weakness.
• Abdominal pain.
• Reinforced peristalsis, flatulence, diarrhea.
• Blood pressure jumps.
• Irritability and tearfulness.

Tearing and coming out with menstrual discharge, the old endometrium releases space for new cells, which will then become a haven for the life that has arisen.Changes occur in the ovaries - they are maturing the same ovum, which will start a new life.Certain transformations affect the mammary glands and other organs of the female body.

In general, all the processes occurring in the body of a woman for 1 week of pregnancy are aimed at updating and preparing for the impending conception.

Pregnancy test, ultrasound and other studies

It is still too early for the pregnancy test - there is no embryo, the chorionic gonadotropin is not excreted, there is nothing to check. Ultrasound examination( ultrasound) will also be of little informative - it can show only the dominant follicle that has begun its development( it is from this in this cycle that a ready-for-fertilization egg will be released).

And this is what will not hurt to stock up on couples planning a pregnancy, so it's tests for ovulation. With their help you can determine the days that are most favorable for conception.In addition, a thermometer for measuring basal temperature and a special portable microscope that shows ovulation by saliva is a good assistant in detecting ovulation.

What should I look for?

A woman planning a maternity must be healthy, so if there are any chronic illnesses, it is desirable, together with doctors, to achieve their full compensation. It is also recommended to visit a dentist, therapist or family doctor, undergo general clinical laboratory tests( urine, blood, etc.) for preventive purposes.

In addition, it is necessary to pass tests for infections that may pose a hazard to the fetus. These infections include sexually transmitted diseases, HIV, parenteral hepatitis and TORCH infections( toxoplasmosis, rubella, cytomegalovirus and herpetic infections).The future father should also be examined.The second important point is a healthy lifestyle.

It is necessary to abandon bad habits in advance to both spouses.Men should remember that every cigarette smoked worsens the quality of sperm, and women, that nicotine and alcohol( of any strength and in any quantity) poisons their body.

If the spouses undergo any treatment, it should be agreed with the doctors, how these or other drugs can affect the ability to conceive and the development of the unborn child.Perhaps, some drugs will have to be canceled or changed.It is important for a woman to start taking vitamin medications in advance, in particular folic acid.This substance prevents the formation of malformations of the nervous system in the fetus.

Nutrition and lifestyle

Already in the first week of pregnancy, the future mother will not prevent taking care of its nutrition .It is recommended to lean on vegetables and fruits, dairy products, lean meat and fatty fish.Food should be tasty and healthy.

To prepare the body for conception and for the normal course of pregnancy, a woman needs a full rest and sleep. You can not exhaust yourself with work, trying to have time to finish everything before maternity leave.Overwork and stress have a negative effect on the functioning of the sex glands, the hormonal background and the immune system.

It is also very important for the expectant mother to protect herself from infectious diseases, which can have serious consequences, up to the termination of pregnancy.For this it is necessary: ​​

• to minimize contact with young children( childhood infections are a great danger);
• to refuse as far as possible from public transport and not to visit enclosed spaces filled with people( especially if it's winter and flu epidemic in the street);
• check your beloved cat for toxoplasmosis and do not contact closely with street animals;
• not to go to gastronomic experiments, do not eat dishes that contain raw meat, do not try raw minced meat and unpolished meat products;
• not doing tattoos, piercings.

And, of course, to increase the chance of conception and safely endure pregnancy, needs positive emotions and a spirit for the best .In this future mother should help close people.

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Zubkova Olga Sergeevna, medical reviewer, epidemiologist