Pregnancy Week 1
If you become pregnant, this would be your first week of pregnancy. But if you want to know whats happening to your baby inside at week 1 pregnancy, youll be surprised to hear that your baby isnt even formed yet. Yes, your pregnancy theoretically begins on the first day of your last menstrual period even though you are not physiologically pregnant yet.
Last Updated: Oct 22, 2020 11:29 GMT
Yes, it is strange that the medical world begins calculating your pregnancy from the time when you are not pregnant; even more, you haven’t ovulated yet. But since it is not possible to know the exact date when you ovulate or conceive, and also since your last period date is readily known, your pregnancy conveniently begins here.
What’s happening to your ovum and his sperm?
Your last ovum, after a futile wait for a sperm to fuse with, disappointedly departs your uterus along with the shedding of a little of your uterine lining. This is the first day of your menstruation. Ironically, this is when your potential to get pregnant in the next cycle begins.
Your partner’s sperms are already in the making now. His reproductive system produces millions of sperm cells every day. His sperm develop in his testicles and at the end of their development, they move through his epididymis for about 4 to 6 weeks, before they reach the sperm duct.
During your week 1 of pregnancy, that one sperm of his which shall mate your ovum in the coming week is most likely to be crawling through his epididymis. The sperms resemble a tadpole now with a head part and a short tail part. Their tails give them motility which is an important pre-requisite for conception.
What’s happening to your body?
In week 1, your reproductive tract clears away the departed ovum in the form of menstrual bleeding. The blood and tissues that made to the uterine lining in preparation for pregnancy, in the previous cycle, is shed off in the first 3 to 5 days of the week.
At the same time, (the to-be-fertilized) ovum in one of your ovaries is maturing. Each immature egg cell lies within a ball of cells called a follicle. It is an amazing fact that all of your egg cells that you will ever bear in your uterus have been formed in your ovaries even before you were born. Upon activation, a few of them begin to mature within their follicles and it takes 4 months for an ovum to get matured.
The inner walls of your uterus begin to thicken, in preparation for the next potential pregnancy. Irrespective of whether a sperm pregnants your ovum or not, your uterus religiously prepares itself for pregnancy in every cycle.
Tips and advice for Pregnancy Week 1
Have nutritious food: Remember that the food you eat is supplying the required nutrients for the development of the ovum that has the potential to be fertilized next week. It is good to maintain a balanced diet in your daily routine.
Take folic acid supplements: Most doctors recommend women to take folic acid supplements three or four months before conception. Folic acid prevents the occurrence of neural tube defects in the growing baby in the womb.
Stay stress-free: It is good for both you and your partner to stay mentally, emotionally and physically healthy and free of stress at this point. You are embarking on generating a new life into your body and life. Listen to soulful music, be with nature and fill your lives with positivity.
Get your hands on an ovulation calculator: It is now an ideal time to learn your ovulation cycle. You will be most likely ovulating next week. Make use of an ovulation calculator to know your exact fertile dates.
