The nausea! The aches! The pains! Oh my! In addition to being one of nature's most amazing processes, being pregnant comes with a few unpleasant side effects. While each pregnancy is different, there are a few fundamental things that every woman will experience while she's creating the miracle of life. Not only are we going to talk about the symptoms that might come this week, but we're also going to take a look at what's happening with mom and baby's body, what mom can do to take care of herself, and what should be focused on at 1 week pregnant. Pregnancy is an exciting yet uncertain time, so here are a few of the things mom can expect at 1 week pregnant.

What is Happening: To Your Body and to Baby!

Let's start off by talking about what's happening to mom and baby. It might not seem like much would be happening at only 1 week pregnant, but this time has a lot of rapid growth. Not only will mom have changes to her body, but the baby will start quickly developing. Take a look at some other things you can expect this week.

You're Actually Not Pregnant Yet

Many people might not realize this, but you're actually not technically pregnant during the first 2 weeks of pregnancy. These weeks are the first 2 weeks of your menstrual cycle and many women find that the symptoms are similar to period symptoms. The majority of women won't know their pregnant until later and at 1 week pregnant, a pregnancy test won't pop positive. Ovulation happens during these weeks and this is when fertilization will start to take place.

Experiences of Every Woman

Unless there are issues that prevent it from happening, every woman will go through ovulation during their menstrual cycle. We'll talk more about ovulation next, but this is the time when the egg is released. If you've been trying to get pregnant but haven't had any luck, make an appointment to see if you can get tested. Once you know more about your specific ovulation process, you'll have a better idea of what you need to do to get pregnant.

Ovulation

As stated above, ovulation is the time when a woman releases an egg from the ovary. Some women only drop one egg at a time, while others drop multiple and end up having more than one baby. Ovulation usually happens between around the 14th day of a normal 28-day cycle. If the egg is fertilized, it will travel down the fallopian tubes and attach to the uterus and if it isn't fertilized, it will disinigrate and the lining of the uterus will be shed. There are many different symptoms that can signal ovulation, so make sure you know your body and watch for signs.

Your Belly Won't Look Pregnant Yet

It's important to know that your belly won't look pregnant this week because you aren't even technically pregnant yet. You might find that your stomach is a little larger due to bloating, but it should go down once the bloating subsides. If your stomach doesn't go down and it continues growing, it would be a good idea to make an appointment and get checked out.

Pregnancy Symptoms

Now it's time to talk about the things that many expectant moms dread-the symptoms! Every woman will have a different level of symptoms and some might not have any at all, but we're going to take a look at some of the most common things women go through at 1 week pregnant. Keep in mind, you aren't technically pregnant yet, but you'll still start experiencing these symptoms, and many women find that they are very similar to what they feel during a normal menstrual cycle. 

Bloating

Bloating happens when your stomach gets too much gas built up. During early pregnancy, the body produces more progesterone to help get the uterus ready for housing a baby. This causes digestion to slow and can cause gas to get caught up in the intestines.

Cramps 

Many women find that the cramping they experience during early pregnancy is very similar to what they feel while on their period. Cramping usually happens as a result of increased progesterone production and an expanding uterus. Keep in mind, mild cramping is normal, but heavy cramping or bleeding should be checked out.

Fatigue

As the body prepares for pregnancy, the body's hormones will start to change. As a result, women can feel fatigued, and like they want to nap all day. The fatigue could also be caused by lower blood sugar or blood pressure. 

Breast Tenderness

One of the very first symptoms many people notice is that their breasts are tender. While this is a common sign of your menstrual cycle, many women feel like the tenderness in pregnancy is worse.

Headaches/Migraines

Since a woman will experience an increase in blood volume and a rush of hormones at 1 week pregnant, it's very common for them to experience headaches or migraines. Some women will have these throughout the entire pregnancy, while others will find relief after a few weeks or months.

Food Cravings

There are countless things that can cause food cravings in pregnancy, including increased hormones, nutritional deficiencies, or a heightened sense of smell. These usually happen in the first trimester and slow down in the second, but every woman is different. As long as you aren't ingesting something that's dangerous, you should be able to satisfy your cravings.

Moodiness

Finally, experiencing moodiness at 1 week pregnant is one of the most common symptoms that expectant mothers talk about. Your hormones are all over the place and you might find yourself getting upsetting or crying for no reason. Just hang in there because the moodiness will calm down.

Pregnancy Care

An expecting mom should ensure she's taking care of herself, even at 1 week pregnant. Everything mom does or ingests will have an effect on the baby, so starting to take care of yourself early is essential. By reading below, you'll learn more about prenatals, how to take care of your mental health, and how to keep yourself physically healthy.

Prenatals

Prenatals are an essential part of pregnancy and can provide all of the vitamins and minerals you need to help your baby grow. If you know you'll be trying to conceive, you should start taking them about 3 months before starting to try. Many doctors will prescribe prenatals, but if you find that you can't stomach them, you have other options. You should be fine as long as you find something with all of the important vitamins, especially folate and iron.

Mental Care 

Pregnancy can be a very trying and nerve-wracking time, so taking care of your mental health should be high on the list. If needed, don't be afraid to reach out to a professional for help. Keep reading to get a couple of ideas to help keep your mind healthy.

Talk with Partner

As soon as you find out that you're expecting, it's a good idea to tell your significant other. You could just come out and say it or create a cute announcement to let them know. Once you tell them the news, you and your spouse can work together to come up with a plan. Make sure they know of any aspects of pregnancy that are important to you and vice versa. It's an amazing journey that can bring you and your significant other closer.

Support System

Being pregnant can be a very trying time, so it's important to form a strong support system. The people in your support system should help when they can and show you any support you need. Having this group of people can ensure that your stress levels stay low and you have someone to lean on when it seems like things are too rough.

Physical Care

Your body can take quite a beating when creating the miracle of life, even if you are only 1 week pregnant. To help stay physically healthy and prepare for what's to come, take a look at the information below.

Nutrition 

It's never too early to start eating correctly and you could even start while you're still trying to conceive. In addition to helping keep you healthy, a balanced diet can provide all of the nutrients you need to help your baby grow big and strong. You'll also want to make sure you're limiting how much of the bad stuff you're eating, like sweets, sodas, and coffee. You'll also want to avoid anything that can harm you or baby, like stimulants, raw fish, and certain types of cheese.

Exercise

There are a few reasons why women should exercise while pregnant. Not only can it help keep you healthy, but it can actually give you relief from various issues like fatigue and aching bones. Exercising can also help reduce the chances of developing things like preeclampsia and gestational diabetes. Remember, take it easy with the exercise and try to do a little activity every day. If you feel like you're pushing too hard, scale back and rest for a few days.

This Week's Focus

Finally, let's talk about what an expectant mother should focus on at 1 week pregnant. There isn't much to do this week, but everything listed below is very important. If possible, try and get started on these things as soon as possible.

Choose Your Prenatals

For starters, you'll want to choose your prenatals this week. There are many different options available, including gummies and chewable tablets. Some doctors will prescribe prenatals, but there are women that can't handle them. As long as you're getting the required amount of vitamins and nutrients, you should be fine. 

Start Looking for a Doctor or Midwife

Regardless of how far along you are, it's important to seek adequate prenatal care. Not only will this ensure that you're healthy, but you'll know how your baby is doing as well. It might not seem like it should be a big deal, but your doctor will run various tests throughout your pregnancy that's designed to ensure the safety of both you and the baby.

Talk with Partner about Lifestyle Changes & Expectations

In addition to changing things in your life, it's important that you talk with your significant other as well, especially if you have a lifestyle that isn't the greatest for pregnancy or a baby. Talk with your partner and let them know what you're doing and what expectations you have. You and your significant other can decide what to do together.

Start Drinking More Water

Drinking more water is an easy task that's extremely important during pregnancy and can help with many things. You should start drinking water as soon as possible, even if you think you're only around 1 week pregnant. Not only will you stay hydrated, but drinking plenty of water helps to do things like produce amniotic fluid, produce extra blood, carry nutrients, and build new tissue.You'll want to drink around 10 glasses of water every day.