Prenatal development: Week 1

"It's been a momentous past couple of days - even if you don't know it yet."

Your last period has just started and you may be considering a pregnancy. Preconceptional health planning is a good idea. However, if you haven't started before now, make sure that you "act pregnant" until you know otherwise. Taking a prenatal vitamin, with 0.4 mg of folic acid (to help prevent neural tube defects such as spina bifida -these are birth defects that are caused by incomplete development of the brain or the spinal cord) is a good idea. Discontinuing any form of chemical birth control, and avoiding other chemicals such as: alcohol, tobacco (even second hand smoke), x-rays, over the counter medications, and even discussing the prescription medications you are currently taking.

 Take the time to discuss with your health care provider any prescription drugs that you may be taking. This is a necessary precaution since many prescription and over-the-counter medications can, in fact, affect the fetus. However, consult with your doctor before you decide to stop taking your prescription drugs. Your doctor will help you understand the benefits and the risks involved in discontinuing your medical prescription.

Beware !

Ensure that your diet has adequate amounts of vitamins, especially folic acid . Even when you are trying to conceive, it is important to take a folic acid supplement. Ask your doctor about this.

Hit the target

At some point roughly 1.5-3.5 million sperm took aim at your fallopian tubes and one superior little seed hit the target spot on. The now-fertilized egg is currently in one of your fallopian tubes merging with the sperm to become a zygote, where cell division is occurring at an incredibly rapid rate.

Your little zygote will spend the next 7-10 days dividing and growing as they travel down to your uterus, where they'll nestle into your cozy blood-rich uterine wall.

The implantation process may result in a little spotting for some women, which is caused by the sloughing off of uterine wall at the implantation site. This is perfectly natural and not a cause for concern. When your little zygote is finally implanted, it is officially considered a "blastocyst" measuring about 0.1-0.2 mm.

Mom Must Doing

Your body can already sense the presence of your microscopic bean-baby and has begun producing Early Pregnancy Factor (EPF) protein, an immunosuppressant which prevents your body from rejecting your growing zygote. What's more, you'll continue to produce estrogen and progesterone thereby suppressing ovulation.

You won't express any other of the main symptoms of pregnancy at this point, but soon your hormones will be fluctuating more intensely than any other time in your life.

So you won't be feel nauseous this early in the ball-game, but get ready: soon your hormones will be fluctuating more intensely than anything you've experienced before and you and everyone close to you will be noticing.

If you've been planning this pregnancy by monitoring your morning basal body temperature, you will see that your temperature remains elevated beyond day 16 of your Luteal Phase (post ovulation). This will be the first verifiable sign that you're pregnant.

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:

Avoid alcohol, drugs, and tobacco products. These substances can cause birth defects, fetal alcohol syndrome, respiratory problems, low birth weight, and other health problems.

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.

Maintain a diet that contains an adequate amount of vitamins, especially folic acid.Women who are attempting to become pregnant should take 400 micro grams 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.

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.