Are you a new mom ? Or are you planning to have a baby? Then you probably have a lot of questions on your mind. "What changes will happen to my body?", "What is really happening inside my body?" You probably always wonder. Don't be afraid of anything. Throughout this amazing 9-month journey, we will help you become a more informed, confident, and prepared mom. So let's start this journey by taking a look at what's happening inside your womb.
Weeks 1 and 2: The beautiful beginning of the journey
At this point, your baby is still just a glimmer of hope in your mind. Since it's hard to know exactly when conception occurred, doctors calculate your 'due date' from the first day of your last period. Isn't that amazing? That means technically, the countdown starts before you even get pregnant!
During this time, the lining of your uterus is thickening and preparing for pregnancy. When your period starts, there are about 20 small eggs called 'ova' in fluid-filled sacs (follicles) in the ovaries. If you have a normal 28-day cycle, about 14 days after your period, an egg will be released from one of these sacs. This is called 'ovulation' . This egg travels down the fallopian tube and waits for a sperm to arrive.
Your most fertile period is the few days around ovulation . That is, the few days that come 14 days after your period starts. If you are hoping for a baby, this is the best time to try.
After the egg is fertilized, which occurs between 24 and 72 hours after ovulation, it travels to the uterus. But don't worry if you don't get pregnant the first time. Depending on a woman's age, the chance of getting pregnant is about 25% per month. So you may have to try several times.
Important advice for you this week
If you're thinking about having a baby, the best thing to do is to meet with your OB-GYN for a preconception visit. They can talk about genetic risk factors, environmental factors, and lifestyle changes you need to make to have a healthy pregnancy. And, most importantly, start taking 0.4 milligrams (mg) of folic acid per day, or 400 micrograms. Taking folic acid several months before you conceive can greatly reduce the risk of neural tube defects, such as spina bifida, which can affect your baby's nervous system.
Week 3: How a little life sprouts
Congratulations! If your egg and your partner's sperm successfully fused, you now have an embryo inside your uterus. But it's very small, about the size of a pinhead. It doesn't look like a baby yet. It's just a cluster of about 100 rapidly dividing cells. The outer layer of this cluster of cells will become the placenta , and the inner layer will become the embryo .
You won't feel any changes in your body at this point. Imagine, you haven't even stopped menstruating yet. But hormones are working inside your body, giving you the signals you need to stop menstruating and maintain pregnancy.
Important advice for you this week
Don't have the patience? Try a home pregnancy test . It's just as accurate as a urine test done by a doctor. You can get the results right away. But be sure to read the instructions carefully and keep everything you use clean.
Week 4: First signs and germination
The fertilized egg now attaches to the wall of your uterus and begins to grow there. This is called 'implantation' . This can happen within about 4 days of fertilization.
You're probably expecting your period this week. The first and most important sign that you're pregnant is when it doesn't happen. As the embryo implants itself into the uterine wall, you may notice a little spotting. This is normal, so don't worry.
By now, the amniotic cavity, which is filled with amniotic fluid to protect the baby, and the placenta, which provides oxygen and nutrients to the baby, are starting to form inside your uterus. Your breasts may feel a little sore and swollen. But you may not notice any changes. By the end of this week, you can even take a home pregnancy test to confirm whether you are pregnant.
Important advice for you this week
Try to eat a healthy diet . That means eating a balanced diet from different food groups and drinking at least 6-8 glasses of water a day. But you don't have to "eat for two." You only need an extra 300 calories a day during pregnancy. Don't worry about missing out on food because of morning sickness. If you're already a good eater, your baby will get the nutrition he needs.
| Baby's development at the end of the first month | |
|---|---|
| Growing part | What is happening? |
| Amniotic Sac | A watertight sac forms around the fertilized egg, which gradually fills with fluid. This protects the growing embryo. |
| Placenta | This is a round, flat organ that provides nutrients from the mother to the baby and removes the baby's waste. |
| Face and body | A rudimentary face is forming with large black circles for the eyes. The mouth, lower jaw, and throat are developing. |
| Blood circulation (Circulation) | Blood cells are forming, and blood circulation begins. |
| Size | By the end of the first month, your baby is about 1/4 inch long – smaller than a grain of rice! |
Take-Home Message
- Your due date is calculated from the first day of your last menstrual period.
- If you are thinking about having a baby, it is essential to take folic acid daily, even before conception.
- Although the cessation of menstruation is the main sign of pregnancy, it can be confirmed with a home test.
- Don't worry if you don't get pregnant on the first try. It may take some time, and that's normal.
- If you have any questions or concerns about your pregnancy, don't hesitate to talk to your doctor.
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