Your Pregnancy: The First Month

FIRST MONTH (Weeks 1-4)

During the first month of pregnancy, you may not even know that you are pregnant! Doctors count the first month of pregnancy as the first month since your last period, so for about the first two weeks, you definitely are not pregnant. But then, sometime around ovulation in the middle of your cycle, your partner’s sperm joined with your egg to start your baby!

Your Baby

As soon as fertilization takes place, the egg begins to grow and split into multiple cells. This early collection of cells is called a zygote. Over the course of several days, the zygote makes its way down the fallopian tube to the uterus. Just as it does each month, the lining of the uterus has become soft, spongy and full of nutrients, making it the ideal place for the zygote to implant. Once the zygote implants itself into the wall of your uterus, your body knows you are pregnant and you will not shed the lining of your uterus as you usually do when you get your period.  Once the zygote is implanted into the uterine wall, it is called a blastocyst. At this point, it is basically a ball of cells about the size of a grain of rice. The organs are beginning to form and so is the placenta.

Your Body

For many women, the first sign that they are pregnant is a missed period. However, you may have other symptoms of pregnancy as well. It can be confusing, as many signs of pregnancy are similar to PMS. Some commons first symptoms of pregnancy include:

• nausea and cramping
• Spotting or what seems to be a light period (from the zygote implanting)
• tiredness, fatigue
• swollen or tender breasts
• moodiness

Some women say they new within hours of conception while others don’t notice anything until that first missed period.

What You Need to Know

This first few weeks of growth is very important in terms of the development of your baby. Since most women do not even know they are pregnant, it is recommended that all women of child bearing age take a supplement or prenatal vitamin that includes folic acid. Folic acid helps to prevent spina bifida and other neural tube defects. Omega 3 with DHS is also important during this time to help with brain, heart, and eye development.

If you are trying to get pregnant, you will want to take all the precautions that pregnant women take, because you never know when you will actually become pregnant. That means no tobacco products, alcohol, or recreational drugs. Stay away from toxic fumes. Check with your doctor about any medications you are taking. You will also want to limit your consumption of fish due to mercury.

Home pregnancy tests are a great way to find out if you are expecting, but you will also want to have your pregnancy confirmed with a doctor. This is a great time to start learning about prenatal care and to choose a doctor for your pregnancy and birth.

Finally, celebrate! You are starting on an exciting journey. Over the next 9 months your body will go through some incredible changes, culminating with a beautiful baby!

Read More About the Different Months in Pregnancy:

• First Month
• Second Month
• Third Month
• Fourth Month
• Fifth Month
• Sixth Month
• Seventh Month
• Eighth Month
• Ninth Month

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