1 week pregnant: advice, symptoms and what to expect


There’s no embryo yet, just your egg and hopefully sperm ready to fertilise it, but at one week pregnant are there any symptoms? What advice can you follow when trying to conceive and what should you expect? This will be the week immediately following your last period and your body is getting ready to ovulate. So, even though you haven’t actually conceived at this point, this is your first week of being pregnant.

What should I be doing to help my body conceive?

1) Start taking folic acid
To protect your future baby from spina bifida, medical experts recommend you start taking folic acid for three months before you want to conceive. Research also suggests women who get 300 micrograms of folic acid reduce the risk of neural tube defects by up to 70%.

2) Eat a balanced diet
Your fertility diet needs to give you all the nutrients you need, especially zinc. 


3) Avoid too much caffeine
Your morning latte is fine, but try and limit your caffeine consumption to no more than three cups a day.

4) Shake off your vices
Quit smoking and cut down on alcohol if you’re trying to get your body ready for a baby.

5) Turn down the heat
Discourage him from taking steamy hot showers or baths as this can affect sperm quality. The bath water should be no hotter than body temperature for optimum sperm. It’s also a good idea for you to turn that electric blanket off and stop putting your laptop on your lap – studies show prolonged and excessive heat can slow down sperm collection.

6) Go and see your doctor
Although you’re not pregnant, it’s a good idea to schedule an appointment and talk about prescription drugs, environmental and lifestyle hazards that could all be putting your baby-to-be at risk.

What is my body doing?
The average menstrual cycle lasts around five to seven days. What you shed during this time is a combination of the lining of your womb (called the endometrium) and actual blood. Here’s the scientific part: the hormone changes that are stimulating your period to start also encourage the brain to produce luteinising hormone (LH) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), both key to helping you get pregnant.

Komentar

Posting Komentar

Postingan populer dari blog ini

34 weeks pregnant: advice, symptoms and what to expect

Gambar
At thirty-four weeks pregnant, there’s plenty of exciting things in store. Your baby is nearly ready to be born, and it’s time to start thinking practically, not only about your hospital bag essentials but about your birth plan! Find out what else you need to know about your baby and your body at 34 weeks pregnant. How big is my baby at 34 weeks? Your baby is now the size of a cantaloupe, weighing in at five and a quarter pounds and measuring up to 18 inches. They have been growing steadily and they are rounder and cuter than ever thanks to their fat layers filling them out. What’s my baby doing at 34 weeks? If your little one is impatient to arrive and pops out sooner than expected - for example, right about now! - it shouldn’t be too dangerous for them as long as they haven't got any other health problems. They might have to stay for a short time in the neonatal nursery and may have a few health niggles, but generally, they should end up as fighting fit as a full-termer...
Baca selengkapnya

12 weeks pregnant: advice, symptoms and what to expect

Gambar
So, you’re 12 weeks pregnant, but did you know that your little one has more than doubled in size over the last few weeks? Yep, your body is going through some really exciting changes! Here’s what to expect during week 12 of your pregnancy, what happens during your 12-week scan and everything else you could possibly need to know about hitting the second trimester.  How big is my baby at twelve weeks?  At 12 weeks, your baby is about two inches - which is about the size of a small plum! What’s my baby doing at twelve weeks pregnant? All your baby’s body parts are now present (though there’s still some maturing to do) and her intestines have moved into place in her abdomen. Your little foetus will now enter the maintenance phase; for the next 28 weeks, her systems and organs will develop so she’s ready for life on the outside. Her digestive system is beginning to start practising (literally) and her bone marrow is busy making white blood cells. This week your unbor...
Baca selengkapnya

7 weeks pregnant: advice, symptoms and what to expect

Gambar
At 7 weeks pregnant your belly might not be showing but you’ll start to get some different symptoms and the beginning of that pregnancy glow (get ready for the compliments).  How big is my baby at seven weeks pregnant? Your baby now measures about 1cm (or half an inch), which is about the size of a blueberry and will start making his or her first movements this week. What’s my baby doing at seven weeks pregnant? Let’s take a look at your little blueberry-sized-babe at week seven. They have a more defined face, with a mouth, nostrils, ears and eyes, and brain cells are generated at the rate of 100 per minute. The mouth, tongue, tooth buds will also develop this week. This week your baby’s arms and legs will start developing, dividing into the hand, arm and shoulder segments and leg, knee and foot segments. Yet right now, they’ll still look like paddles more than hands and feet, as fingers and toes will be webbed. Your baby now has kidneys that are ready to start wor...
Baca selengkapnya