The First Month of Pregnancy
Your pregnancy: weeks 1-4 – the start of your first trimester. The first signs of pregnancy may be very visible… or not at all. In fact, there are as many different kinds of pregnancies as there are women.
Weeks 1 & 2
Although the first two weeks are part of your pregnancy countdown, you are not technically pregnant. Your body is however working hard to prepare for that moment and it is counted as your first steps towards motherhood. An increase in oestrogen and progesterone prepares your body for your baby to live and grow.
3 Weeks
You’re pregnant. Congratulations!
Your uterus is now ready with a blood-rich lining. Erupting from your ovary, one of your eggs enters a fallopian tube, waiting to be fertilised by one of millions of sperm.
Once the sperm’s nucleus merges with that of the egg, if the sperm carries a Y chromosome, you can hope to welcome a little boy; if it carries an X chromosome, a little girl.
Over the next 8 months or so this single cell multiplies and goes through a number of stages to give you your bundle of joy! Once the two cells fuse, they form a zygote.
4 Weeks Pregnant
Your baby is now a part of you!
Implantation is when the tiny mass of cells attaches itself to you. A lot is happening inside your body now. A small ball of cells called the blastocyst is rapidly multiplying; producing hormones that help cease the menstrual cycle and keep the lining of the uterus from shedding. By the end of this week, a hormone called HCG can be detected, confirming your pregnancy.
Once implanted, this tiny mass of cells will divide further to become an embryo and the placenta. The placenta will provide your baby with all the oxygen and nutrients it needs and will link you and your baby until birth, when your baby can breathe and feed on its own.
Amniotic fluid begins to collect in the cavity that will become the amniotic sac and protect your baby through the entire journey until birth – by cushioning the embryo against your movements and by providing the growing embryo with nourishment through you.
Related articles
Siblings
Older siblings learn about sharing, life-long love and friendship.
2 mins to read
Caesarean birth
A Caesarean birth is the delivery of your baby through an abdominal uterine incision, instead of vaginally.
5 mins to read
The third stage of labour
This stage lasts from the birth of the baby until the placenta is delivered, usually from 5–20 m
5 mins to read
Nutrition during pregnancy
By taking responsibility for your body, you can maximise your level of wellbeing and enjoy good health.
Good nutrition is of the utmost importance during your pregnancy
5 mins to read
Single parent
Today an increasing number of women are facing the challenges of pregnancy, birth and parenthood alone. This may be through personal choice or circumstantial.
2 mins to read
Variations and interventions in labour and birth
Each woman’s labour is unique and unpredictable. It is important therefore that you are prepared for all the possible eventualities and you keep an open mind.
1 min to read
Second stage of labour
This stage begins when the cervix reaches complete dilation and effacement, and it ends with the birth of the baby.
5 mins to read
Personal considerations
You may need to consider some personal issues before you become pregnant.
1 min to read
Contact your doctor
What signs and symptoms during pregnancy to be aware about.
5 mins to read
Protein in Pregnancy
Protein (and the amino acids within) is the most important building blocks for all human cells. Given the rapid cell development of your baby-to-be it should be an essential part of your diet.
5 mins to read
Vaginal birth
In most instances, the baby’s head is the presenting part that moves into your pelvis before labour begins.
5 mins to read
Labour support
Labour support is a concept that has been around for thousands of years.
5 mins to read
Unexpected outcomes
All parents worry about the possibility of complications such as prematurity, abnormality, stillbirth and neonatal death.
5 mins to read
Medication for pain relief
In a normal, uncomplicated labour and delivery, the use of medication is not always necessary. Your own resources are often enough.
5 mins to read
Food choices for a healthy pregnancy
-
5 mins to read
First visit
A detailed medical history, of you and your partner, will be recorded at your first prenatal visit.
2 mins to read
