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Whether your home pregnancy test is positive or your doctor has just confirmed it, congratulations - you’re officially pregnant! You are at the beginning of an incredible journey that will see you and your developing baby go through some serious changes.
During the first two weeks of pregnancy you’re not technically pregnant but the lead up has begun. It’s difficult for doctors to know exactly when you conceived. But, for calculation purposes, week one of your pregnancy is marked by the beginning of your last menstrual cycle.
If your partner’s sperm has successfully fertilised your egg by week three of your pregnancy, a tiny embryo will have started to form.
You at 1 month pregnant
It’s rare that you will be feeling any pregnancy symptoms yet. You haven’t even missed a period at this point so it’s common for most pregnant women to have no idea that an embryo is forming inside them.
If you suspect that you are pregnant and can’t wait to see if you miss your next period, take a home pregnancy test. Be sure to read the directions carefully and make sure any equipment you use is clean to ensure you get the most accurate answer.
Your baby at 1 month pregnant
Your baby starts out looking nothing like a baby or even a foetus.
It is merely a group of cells multiplying and growing rapidly. The outer layer of cells will become the placenta and the inner layer will grow into an embryo.
The placenta is an organ that transfers nutrients from you to your baby as it develops and processes your baby’s waste.
Once your growing embryo travels from your fallopian tube into the womb, it will burrow itself into the lining of your uterus. This is called implantation.
During the first two weeks of your embryo’s development, a very primitive face starts to form. Your baby’s eyes, mouth, lower jaw and throat have started to develop.
Its blood cells are also taking shape to prepare for circulation.
At this point, your baby will measure approximately five millimetres – smaller than a grain of rice.
Things to think about
While you are waiting to confirm your pregnancy, do your best to follow a healthy pregnancy diet. A diet that includes a variety of nutrient-dense foods from the recommended food groups will give your baby the best chance of developing healthily. It’s also a good idea to start taking pregnancy supplements such as folic acid. Folic acid is a crucial vitamin for the healthy development of your baby’s neural tube.
Keep your fluids up too. This doesn’t include alcohol though. Alcohol and pregnancy aren’t a good mix. Currently, there is no proven safe amount of alcohol consumption during pregnancy. This is because the placenta cannot completely filter out alcohol meaning that a percentage still makes its way to your baby. Alcohol can cause problems in unborn babies when pregnant women consume it.
Remember to drink plenty of water and consider experimenting with some healthy non-alcoholic alternatives.
Stay on track from the beginning and sign up for updates on yourpregnancy week by week from Huggies.
