Week By Week Pregnancy Guide Week 1
Your Baby's Development This first week is actually your menstrual period. Because your expected delivery date (EDD) is calculated from the first day of your last period, this week counts as part of your 40-week pregnancy even though your baby hasn't been conceived yet.
Building blocks Despite the fact there are no clear indicators at this stage, the first week of pregnancy is as important as the other weeks. Think of it as a foundation for your building – a weak foundation doesn’t raise strong buildings. Doctors calculate the first week of pregnancy from the first day of your last period. Although in reality your precious baby is still 14 days away from being conceived. To calculate your due date, your doctor will count ahead 40 weeks from the first day of your last period. This means your period is counted as part of your pregnancy even though you were not pregnant at the time.
Your Body During pregnancy, your healthy habits and your baby's health go hand in hand. While planning to conceive, take the time to prepare your body for motherhood.
Before becoming pregnant, you should:
o Avoid alcohol, drugs, and tobacco products. These substances can cause birth defects, fetal alcohol syndrome, respiratory problems, low birth weight, and other health problems.
Before becoming pregnant, you should:
o Talk to your doctor about any prescription and nonprescription (OTC) drugs you are taking. You'll need to take special precautions with medications because many prescription and over-the-counter medications can negatively affect the fetus. But don't stop taking prescription drugs without consulting your health care provider, who will help you weigh the potential benefits and risks of stopping your medications.
Before becoming pregnant, you should: o Maintain a diet that contains an adequate amount of vitamins, especially folic acid. Women who are attempting to become pregnant should take 400 micrograms of folic acid a day. Adequate folic acid intake reduces the risk of neural tube defects (birth defects caused by incomplete development of the brain or spinal cord), such as spina bifida. Be sure to talk to your health care provider about taking a folic acid supplement while you are trying to conceive.
Before becoming pregnant, you should: o Maintain a diet that contains an adequate amount of vitamins, especially folic acid. Women who are attempting to become pregnant should take 400 micrograms of folic acid a day. Adequate folic acid intake reduces the risk of neural tube defects (birth defects caused by incomplete development of the brain or spinal cord), such as spina bifida. Be sure to talk to your health care provider about taking a folic acid supplement while you are trying to conceive.
Week By Week Pregnancy Guide Week 2