Pre-Conception:
Congratulations on your decision to have a baby. Before you actually conceive, there are a few things you may want to take into consideration and prepare for. Make sure you've scheduled a pre-pregnancy visit with your OB-GYN to determine any risks of genetic diseases, environmental hazards and lifestyle changes necessary to ensure a healthy pregnancy and baby. Your doctor will be able to answer any questions or concerns you may have in regards to your health and having a healthy pregnancy.
One of the thing s you may want to consider is taking 0.4 milligrams, or 400 micrograms, of folic acid a day. Folic acid taken a few months before conception has been shown to dramatically reduce the likelihood of neural tube defects, such as spina bifida. During the first two weeks of pregnancy you'll experience rapid hormonal fluctuations.
Conception:
Most women begin calculating their pregnancy weeks as soon as they make the decision to conceive. Be aware of your menstrual cycle start and end date. Your OB GYN will calculate your due date from the beginning of your last cycle since it's hard to know exactly when conception occurred. During the first two weeks of pregnancy most women will experience few if any signs and symptoms of pregnancy.
At the beginning of a cycle, about 20 eggs called ova begin to ripen and occupy fluid-filled sacs called follicles. It is during this time that your body prepares itself for ovulation and conception by producing progesterone and estrogen in just the right amounts to encourage your ovaries to release an egg. One of these follicles matures and ruptures, releasing an egg that will travel down the fallopian tube, where it awaits fertilization. This all takes place about 14 days before the end of your cycle. This is the time you're most fertile.
If conception occurs your partner’s sperm will fertilize the egg and the egg will travel up your fallopian tubes to the uterus, its home for the next 38-40 weeks.
Early Pregnancy Signs:
As your body is changing on the inside, you may not see it, but you may be experiencing some of the symptoms of pregnancy. Once you have conceived after a few weeks you may start noticing some or all of the following early signs of pregnancy:
- Missed or late period
- Nausea or Vomiting
- Fatigue or Tiredness Increase
- Breast Soreness or Sensitive
- Frequent Urinating
Ovulation:
Some women will also experience some bloating or mild cramping. Cramping in the lower abdomen localized on one side or the other may be a sign that ovulation is occurring, is about to occur or has just occurred. Other signs that ovulation is imminent include increased fertile cervical mucus, which typically appears as clear, slippery and stretchy mucous. Many describe the consistency of fertile cervical mucus as like egg whites.
Another way you can monitor your fertility during pregnancy week 1 and pregnancy week 2 is by monitoring your basal temperature. This is an effective and natural way to determine a woman's most fertile times. Typically a woman's basal body temperature is between 96.0 and 97.5 degrees Fahrenheit just before ovulation. Right after ovulation however the body temperature spikes usually by .4 to .6 degrees. After this time you are no longer fertile. If you do successfully conceive however your temperature will remain elevated throughout your pregnancy.
To measure your basal body temperature accurately you must take your temperature at the same time every morning before rising. That means before you get out of bed to do anything. Its best is you sleep a solid three hour stretch before measuring your basal body temperature, as sleep disturbances can alter the results. They do make special basal body thermometers you can use specifically for this purpose.
You’re at the beginning stages of your pregnancy. Embrace the wonders of your changing body and enjoy the miracle of life growing inside of you.
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