By convention, gynecologists count pregnancy from the 1st day of your last period. This is because it is difficult to pinpoint the exact day of ovulation. Menstruation is a more reliable indicator for dating pregnancy, one a woman cannot miss. Therefore, in the first week of pregnancy, you are not actually pregnant. At this stage, your uterus sheds the inner layer that covers its cavity, i.e. the endometrium, to prepare for the next cycle and subsequent possible pregnancy. 

If you have just had a pregnancy test and it came out positive, then this is not actually your 1st week of pregnancy. You could be anywhere from the 4th week onwards. Feel free to skip those first few weeks. 

If you are trying to conceive, then there is no better time to get rid of any unhealthy habits you may still have, such as smoking or alcohol consumption. Try cooking for yourself and avoid fast food. Coffee is important since it keeps you awake; however, you should cut back on caffeine at this point. Try drinking no more than two cups of coffee every day. 

 You can start taking 400mcg of folic acid daily. Folic acid, ideally when started one month before conception, can help the baby grow and protects it from neural defects. 

 Keeping track of your period in a diary or through a mobile app will help you calculate your gestational age more accurately and better relate your symptoms to the week of your pregnancy. Well, time to start tracking. 

Because gynecologists count gestational age from the first day of the last period, in the second week of pregnancy you are not actually pregnant. To be precise, your ovary is now preparing for ovulation. The follicle, which will release the egg, usually on the 14th-15th day of your cycle, is still developing. Therefore, this week your body is working hard to get ready to conceive. 

At this stage, your period is over and all the annoying symptoms that come with it have now disappeared. The inner lining that used to cover your uterine cavity has been shed and a new layer is now forming under the influence of estradiol, which is the main hormone of the first half of your cycle. 

If you are trying to conceive, it is important to increase your sexual activity as you get closer to the middle of your cycle and therefore the day of ovulation. You can get the best results if you have intercourse every 2-3 days. 

 Track your period and try calculating the exact day of your ovulation. Keep in mind that, while the egg survives for about 24 hours, the sperm can survive for up to 5 days. Therefore, you can plan your sexual activity based on that knowledge. There are various applications, specially designed for mobile phones or tablets, that can assist you in this process. These apps can track your period and inform you about your fertile window. 

 Abstain from any unhealthy habits, such as smoking, alcohol consumption, or junk food. 

 Taking 400mcg of folic acid daily can protect your baby from neural defects. 

Fertilization 

This is the 3rd week since your last period. At some point during this week or at the end of the previous one, ovulation typically occurs. Because the egg can survive for a maximum of 24 hours, fertilization can happen only in this short time frame. Fertilization takes place approximately in the middle of the fallopian tube, i.e. the salpinx, which is the organ that carries the egg from the ovary to the uterus. After fertilization has occurred, the egg, which is now called the zygote, begins to divide rapidly, while it travels towards the uterine cavity. It usually takes 3 days for the zygote to reach its destination. Once it arrives in the uterus, it takes another 2-3 days for the implantation to begin, i.e. the burrowing of the fertilized egg, now called the blastocyst, into the uterine wall. A small amount of blood may escape from the site of implantation during this phase. 

After implantation has occurred, pregnancy officially begins. However, if you take a pregnancy test at this point, then it will probably come out negative. This is because β-hCG, which is the main hormone of pregnancy and responsible for supporting and maintaining it, rises gradually. Therefore, it takes about 7 days from implantation, to detect it in your blood and a little bit longer to detect it in your urine. If you already had your first positive pregnancy test, then you are at least 4 weeks pregnant. 

Your baby is just a mass of cells at this point and smaller than a grain of sugar.

A negative pregnancy test does not necessarily mean that you are not pregnant. Do not get discouraged. Give it some time and try again after a few days. During this phase, the β-hCG doubles almost every 48 hours. Continue taking your folic acid daily and keep track of your symptoms. 

 Even if the pregnancy test comes out positive, eat responsibly. The notion “I eat for two” does simply not apply and can result in significant weight gain. At the beginning of pregnancy and during the first months, your calorie needs are about the same as before. 

 If you are the athletic type you can continue your regular exercise. If not, then now would be a good time to start. Moderate-intensity exercise, such as walking, yoga, pilates, or swimming, is ideal for pregnant women and beneficial for you and your baby. So, let’s break a sweat. 

By that time you have probably missed a period and decided to take a pregnancy test. So, if you have just found out that you are pregnant, then congratulations! In any case, you are still in the very beginning. You cannot actually tell how far along you are until you visit your gynecologist for the first time. So, you can now share the good news with your partner or wait until you have confirmed the pregnancy with an ultrasound. You might have already observed the first signs of pregnancy. They are still hardly noticeable, but will get clearer in the weeks to come. The β–hCG and progesterone, the two main hormones of pregnancy, are responsible for the changes your body is going through. 

Your baby is already growing inside your womb, but you can’t feel that yet. It is still rather small and no bigger than a poppy seed. During this week, the implantation of the blastocyst in your uterus continues and the structures that will support nutrient exchange from your circulation to the fetus are gradually forming. Even though the baby’s heart has not formed yet, the neural tube, the structure that will give rise to the brain, the spinal cord, and the spine, has already been developed. The amniotic sac with the amniotic fluid, which will surround and protect the fetus until its birth, has slowly begun to form. The ultrasound may not be able to detect these minuscule changes, however, If you have a scan at this point, you will probably see a small dot inside your uterus, which is called the gestational sac. 

Your body has already gone through significant changes. If your clothes have gotten tighter, do not stress about it. Fluid retention and bloating make your clothes harder to fit. Prefer loose clothes, such as baggy jeans, sweat pants, or leggings. Adopt healthy eating habits and make sure you drink plenty of water throughout the day. Boost your diet with foods high in fiber to avoid constipation. 

 Moderate-intensity exercise will help you maintain a healthy body weight and make you feel good and more energetic. 

 Continue taking your folic acid daily and schedule your first appointment with your gynecologist. 

This may be the first time you realize that you are pregnant because you decided to take a pregnancy test and came out positive. You might have missed a period or you may have symptoms that you have never had before. Whatever the case, this is the 5th week of your pregnancy. Welcome to the club! 

You are already in the second month of pregnancy. Gynecologists count pregnancy from your last period and not from the actual time of conception. This is because women find it difficult to pinpoint the exact day of ovulation. Instead, menstruation is harder to miss. The first month of pregnancy is already over. It wasn’t that hard, was it? 

From now on your baby is called an embryo and at this stage, its size is about 2mm, a little smaller than a seed of an apple. The first 3 months of pregnancy are extremely important since, during these months, most organs are formed and developed, including the brain, heart, stomach, and limbs. This is called organogenesis. Many factors can affect or even impair this process. Therefore, in this period, it is crucial that you avoid anything that can harm your baby. Now is the time to quit smoking, abstain from alcohol, and even limit your caffeine intake to one to two cups per day. Inform your doctor about your medication, if any, and ask for their opinion. 

Continue taking 400mcg of folic acid daily. This will help your baby grow and protect it from neural defects. 

 Throughout pregnancy, but in the first trimester in particular, certain adjustments to your eating habits should be made. Avoid eating raw or incompletely cooked food, such as meat and fish. You should also be very diligent with the way you wash your vegetables. Finally, you should avoid unpasteurized milk or products made from it. 

 If you have a cat as a pet, then you should avoid coming in close contact with it or cleaning its litter box. If you work or meet with children often, you should be extra careful since certain infections can harm your baby. Follow proper hand hygiene and avoid kissing them or sharing food with them. In case you notice flu-like symptoms, contact your gynecologist.  

This is the 6th week of your pregnancy, which means that you are about 1,5 months pregnant. It is only normal that you want to share the good news with your friends, but maybe you should keep your secret a little bit longer, for at least till the end of the 1st trimester. If your partner does not know yet, then it is a good time to start looking for ways to break the news. There are many sites that can help you find creative ideas to make this moment even more special. If pregnancy makes you feel anxious or scared, then you should start talking about your emotions with someone close to you. This will help you feel better and calm your nerves. In any case, this week, you should schedule your first appointment with your gynecologist. 

Your baby is still quite small but is growing fast. Its length is about a half-centimeter, i.e. the size of a lentil. It has started developing most of its organs, such as the intestine, the diaphragm, and the kidneys. From the points out of which the eyes, the ears, and the limbs will grow, small lumps have started forming. Your baby’s heart is now beating faster, however, a heartbeat may still not be audible by ultrasound. Don’t get discouraged. Most likely it is still too early. In the next week or two, you will be able to hear your baby’s heart beating loud and clear. 

If your gynecologist performs an ultrasound this week, you will be able to see the gestational sac in your uterus. Inside the sac, you will also see the fetus along with the yolk sac, which is one of the important structures of early fetal development. 

If you have not started taking folic acid yet, now is the time to do so. Folic acid helps your baby grow and protects it from neural defects. 

 Abstain from unhealthy habits that can harm you or your baby, such as smoking or alcohol consumption. Pay attention to your calorie intake. You may feel like you are eating for two, however, your needs have only slightly increased compared to before pregnancy. 

 Now is a good time to start creating a pregnancy diary. Take a picture of your belly every week, paste it into a book, and write down your thoughts. This way you can keep your memories from pregnancy alive and share them with your child when it grows older. 

 Schedule your first appointment with your gynecologist. They will confirm and date your pregnancy more precisely. They will also give you a list of tests, i.e. your first check-up, which is part of the prenatal screening. 

You are in the 2nd month of your pregnancy and this may have caused a variety of emotions: joy, impatience, fear, anxiety. Whatever you’re feeling is normal. A baby is growing inside you, and it’s growing fast. 

It has now reached 1cm and is the size of a bean. The brain and the heart are constantly developing and all the other organs along with them. Its arms and legs continue to grow, while its face begins to look more and more like that of a small human. 

In this week, an ultrasound will depict the sac of the pregnancy inside your uterus and inside the sac your baby. Its heart is beating fast now, and if your doctor focuses the probe of the ultrasound on it, you will be able to hear a faint heartbeat. Your uterus continues to grow, your pregnancy can not yet be perceived by those around you, though. Your secret is still well hidden. 

Eating properly is important at this stage. Avoid foods that might upset your stomach and follow a healthy diet. 

 Continue daily folic acid intake and quit any bad habits you may still have, such as smoking and alcohol. 

 If you used to exercise before the pregnancy, then fear not. You can continue your regular exercise. If not, then it’s an ideal opportunity to start now! Moderate-intensity exercise, such as walking or yoga, can be beneficial for your pregnancy. 

 Schedule your first appointment with a gynecologist, if you have not already done so. This week, your doctor will give you a series of tests to do, most of which are blood tests and are part of the prenatal screening. 

You are almost 2 months pregnant. Time flies, but you still have a long way to go. Your baby is growing fast and your womb along with it, even though this is not apparent yet. 

Your baby has now reached 1.6 centimeters, the size of a grape. Its heart has almost taken its final shape, while its brain is rapidly developing. The limbs have begun to take their final form and the facial features resemble now those of a newborn. The gonads, i.e. the testicle or the ovary, have already begun to develop, however, the baby’s sex is still not apparent. This will happen after the 14th week of the pregnancy. 

At this stage, you have probably begun to notice that the symptoms of your pregnancy come stronger and stronger. However, this is not always the case, as some women may have only mild or no symptoms at all. Therefore, if you do not have the typical symptoms of pregnancy, this does not necessarily mean that something is wrong. In the ultrasound, this week, you will be able to hear with certainty your baby’s heartbeat. This is a sign that your pregnancy is going well. Your baby is now a miniature of a term baby, and it has already started making its first moves. When your doctor verifies that everything is normal regarding your pregnancy, he will ask you to do your first check-up, consisting mainly of blood tests, which is part of the prenatal screening. 

If you have not already visited your gynecologist, now is the time. In addition to the tests that they will ask you to do, they will also ask you to schedule your first-trimester ultrasound, or in other words the nuchal translucency scan. This takes place between the 11th and the 13th week and checks the basic anatomy of your fetus. Based on various measurements it can also calculate the risk for chromosomal abnormalities. 

 Continue the daily folic acid intake and try following a healthy lifestyle. If you enjoy exercise, then moderate-intensity exercise, such as walking, swimming, yoga, or pilates, is an ideal and safe option during pregnancy. 

You are in the 9th week of pregnancy, which means that you have now completed the 2nd month of your pregnancy. The baby inside you continues to grow and as the weeks go by, so do your chances for a successful pregnancy outcome. At this stage, the symptoms may become a bit more intense. Keep calm! You can be “comforted” by the thought that in the second trimester most symptoms usually subside. 

At this stage, your baby is a little bigger than 2cm, i.e. the size of a small cherry. It has already grown a lot but it still has a long way to go. On the ultrasound, this week, you will be able to see something that looks like a bean with little legs and arms, moving swiftly inside your womb. You will be also able to hear a strong heartbeat if your gynecologist focuses the probe of the ultrasound on your baby’s little heart. The basic features of its face have already been developed and the sexual differentiation into a boy or a girl has already begun. However, your doctor can not yet discern the sex of your baby. This will start to show from the 14th week onwards. 

If you have not visited your gynecologist yet, now is the time to do so. They will probably ask you to take the first pregnancy check-up and schedule the nuchal translucency scan. This ultrasound checks your baby’s basic anatomy and estimates the risk your baby has for chromosomal abnormalities. 

Even though your belly is still small, your clothes may have become tighter. Do not stress about it. It does not necessarily mean that you have gotten fatter. Fluid retention caused by pregnancy makes you bloated and clothes harder to fit. Prefer garments that make you feel comfortable and do not push yourself. 

Start exercising. Moderate-intensity exercise is ideal for pregnancy. Choose the one that suits you best. Yoga, Pilates, swimming, resistance training, and walking are all safe for you. 

At this stage, it would be a good time to start thinking about some practical issues, such as what documents are needed for your maternity leave or opening a savings account to cover the first costs of your delivery. Good planning is the antidote to stress. Do not leave things to chance.

You have already reached the 10th week of your pregnancy and you may have started to wonder when your belly will start to grow. Be patient. Very soon you will start feeling your pants getting tighter. Now, it might be a good idea to buy your first maternity clothes. 

Your baby is constantly growing and has now reached 3cm, i.e. the size of a strawberry. The heart, lungs, and limbs are now fully developed and by the end of this week, the development of the eyes will also be complete. The brain has already been developed, however, it continues to grow and become more complex by the day. 

Sexual differentiation has already begun and is expected to be completed at around the 14th week. However, the distinction between a boy or a girl by ultrasound may not be possible until later in your pregnancy. 

At this stage, it is important to follow a healthy diet and drink plenty of water. Make sure you take folic acid daily to help your baby grow. 

Abstain from any unhealthy habits and start exercising, if you have not already done so. Moderate-intensity exercise (walking, yoga, pilates) for about 20-30 minutes per day is ideal for you at this stage and especially beneficial for your pregnancy. 

If you have not already done the tests requested by your doctor, now is the time to do so. You should also schedule the first major ultrasound of the pregnancy, the nuchal translucency scan. This ultrasound will check your baby’s basic anatomy and combined with the measurement of certain hormones in your blood, will assess the risk of the fetus having a chromosomal anomaly. In other words, it will check if your baby is healthy. In case of an abnormal result, your doctor will inform you about the additional actions that will be needed, usually chorionic villus sampling or amniocentesis. 

You are in the 11th week of your pregnancy, which means you are about 2,5 months pregnant. Although it may still not be apparent that a new life is growing inside you, your pregnancy will soon start to show. You may have noticed your scale rising in numbers. This is normal, given the changes that occur in your circulatory system, however, be careful not to overdo it. In the first trimester, the weight gain is less than in the other two trimesters and your daily calorie needs are only slightly higher than before. 

Your baby is now a little over 4cm, i.e. the size of a walnut. In this week, if your doctor decides to perform an ultrasound, you will be able to see your baby rocking in your womb. These movements cannot be perceived by you yet, since the fetus is still very small. Most women, especially primipara, experience the first fluttery sensations, known as “quickening”, after the 18th-20th week. Your baby’s ears, the oral cavity, and the external genitalia have already started their development. The brain continues to grow and becomes more complex day by day. From the end of this week and the beginning of the next, you will be able to have your nuchal translucency scan. This ultrasound will assess your baby’s basic anatomy and calculate the risk for a chromosomal anomaly. In other words, it will tell if your baby is healthy. 

Continue following a healthy diet and drink plenty of water. Do not forget to take your folic acid supplement daily. 

If you consider starting some form of exercise, then moderate-intensity training, such as walking, yoga, pilates, or swimming, is ideal for you and completely safe during pregnancy. 

By this week you should have completed your first pregnancy check-up and scheduled your nuchal translucency scan. If not, then now is the time to do so. 

Have you bought your maternity clothes yet? If not, it is time to go for a shopping spree, since very soon your old clothes will no longer fit. Buy responsibly, though, because your body will continue to change. 

This is the 12th week of your pregnancy and soon you will be three months pregnant. This is an important milestone, as in this week the nuchal translucency scan takes place. This is an ultrasound performed by a gynecologist, specialized in fetal medicine. This scan checks the fetus’ basic anatomy and detects markers that increase the risk for chromosomal aberrations. At the same time, a blood sample is taken from you to measure the levels of 2 or 3 hormones.  These measurements will help calculate the specific risk your baby has for a chromosomal anomaly. 

Your baby is growing fast. It is now larger than 5cm, i.e. it is the size of a lime or a fig. It has developed most of its vital organs, which will continue to mature until birth. Its external genitalia will soon complete their differentiation, however, your doctor will not be able to distinguish the sex of the baby by using the ultrasound, for at least until the 14th week. At this stage, the ears continue to grow, while the nails begin to do so too. This week is very important for another reason. After this week, organ development, i.e. the organogenesis, will be complete. Therefore, it is now less possible for environmental or other factors to impair your baby’s development. 

In this week, along with the folic acid that you’re already taking, your gynecologist will probably suggest two other important supplements for pregnancy. These are iron and calcium (usually combined with vitamin D). They are prescribed now and not earlier because during this week nausea usually subsides, hence they are better tolerated. 

 Your energy levels return gradually back to normal. So, it is time to start exercising if you have not already done so. Moderate-intensity exercise, such as walking, yoga, pilates, or resistance training, is ideal for pregnancy. 

 Do not forget to put your sunscreen on whenever you are exposed to the sun. A pregnancy-safe sunscreen will protect your skin from UV rays and prevent the appearance of chloasma, or more commonly known as the “mask of pregnancy”. 

 Your belly and breasts get bigger. As a result, the skin that covers these areas starts stretching, resulting in the appearance of stretch marks. To prevent this from happening, make sure you keep your skin always hydrated, using cream or essential oil. 

 From this week on, you can start creating your pregnancy diary. There is a special and beautiful way to do this. Take a picture of yourself every week and paste it into a book writing down your thoughts. This way, you will make a timeline of your pregnancy, which you will be able to browse, both during and after pregnancy. You can also show this diary to your baby when he or she grows up.