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Forget everything you’ve heard about the moment you find out you’re pregnant. The movies tell us that right after getting a positive on your pregnancy test, the morning sickness and cravings will follow. This is not entirely true! This is when you will have your period and for now, there isn't even a baby present. This is because it is still a couple of weeks away from being conceived. That doesn't mean you that you can just ignore this first week though. You still have some early planning and date keeping to do.
Each time you have a period, your body is preparing itself for a potential pregnancy. A lot of complex hormonal changes are going on in your body, in readiness to support fertilisation if it happens in around a fortnight's time. This is why we count the first day of a woman's period as a starting point for the countdown towards the expected date when the baby is due. Although it may seem to not make sense, including the first 2 weeks is standard practice.
Mark the day and date you started bleeding and for how long your period lasts. And yes, this may seem tedious but if you can, keep a record for a couple of months so you know the length of your menstrual cycles. For most women this is around 28 days, though a few days either side of this is still considered within a normal range. Becoming familiar with your own body's rhythms and cycles will help you to plan for conception and the time you are most likely to fall pregnant.
When will you ovulate?
Most women ovulate around 12-14 days after the first day they start bleeding. If you want to get pregnant, try timing when you have sex to coincide with, or just before your ovulation.
Conception: How and when does it happen?
We can never know exactly when conception or fertilisation occurs. Conception usually happens without fanfare or any outward signs that it has happened. There is no sudden ‘aha-moment’ that lets you know you’re pregnant. It is a slow process and it can take some women weeks to even realise they are pregnant.
There is a small window of time around when an egg (ova) can survive after it has been released from the ovary. It takes around 12-24 hours for the egg to migrate from the ovary and down the fallopian tube. This is where fertilisation of an egg with a sperm usually happens. Sperm can generally survive for longer than an egg can, but only the hardiest and most mobile of the sperm can find their way up through cervix and uterus to the fallopian tube.
Lots of books and websites refer to the last normal menstrual period or LNMP. This is because some women will have a light bleeding at the time when the fertilised egg burrows into the lining of their uterus. It's important that this show of blood isn't confused as a period, which is why the word "normal" is used to clarify.
What can you do when you’re one week pregnant?
- Keep a record of when your period starts and how long you bleed for. This will help you to track the length of your cycles and when you are more likely to conceive.
- If you want to be sure of your chances of being pregnant, stop using contraception. If you have been using a hormone-based contraceptive such as the contraceptive pill, remember it may take some time for your body to readjust to its normal cycles.
- Start taking pre-natal vitamins which include folic acid supplements. The recommended doses in early pregnancy are 500 mcg/day and if possible, start taking this a couple of months before you plan to fall pregnant. Consult your doctor before starting any course of vitamins.
- Try to stay healthy and active. Aim to do some exercise each day and try to eat clean. Gorging on junk food may seem like the best idea right now, but trust us, it isn’t!
- Have a medical check-up to make sure you are in the best possible shape to conceive. Being overweight, smoking, taking drugs or generally having an unhealthy lifestyle can all interfere with, or delay conception.
- Make sure your immunisations are up to date. Check with your doctor what you need to have to ensure you are covered and your baby will be protected.
- Try not to take medication unless it has been prescribed for you. Some medications are harmful for the baby, especially in the early weeks of their development.
Tip of the week
Aim for a healthy life. Try to focus on what's good for you and what will help your body stay strong and healthy. If you have made a conscious choice to get pregnant, then remember to honour that choice. Do things that are good for your mental and physical well-being. Your child will thank you for it!
