So you want to have a baby? This is a huge life step, and you want to be
prepared! Whether you are happily married or single, knowing what to
expect during pregnancy will help dismiss any worries or concerns you may
have. Knowledge is the key to having a smoother and healthier pregnancy!
But before you even think about conceiving, you need to mentally and physically
prepare for pregnancy and motherhood. Pregnancy takes a lot out of your body,
and it's not just your expanding belly you have to worry about. Your growing baby
depends on you for his nutritional supply and his safety for the next 40 weeks.
You will be carrying your bundle of joy for roughly nine months, and you want the
best possible outcome at the end of this ' a healthy and bubbly baby! So you
must start preparing for pregnancy!
When Does Pregnancy Start?
Though at 1 week pregnant, you are not pregnant yet, doctors and healthcare
providers consider this week as the start of your pregnancy. But you must be
asking: how is this possible? I'm having my period right now.
Pregnancy does
start the second that you conceive ' which will be at the end of next week or
the third week of your menstrual cycle. However, using the date of conception
is too imprecise for doctors since most women do not know the date that they
conceive. However, women often know the date of their last menstrual period. So
doctors use this to pinpoint the 'start' of your pregnancy.
Start Planning Before you Conceive
You may not be expecting a baby at 1 week pregnant, but it is a great place
to start planning and thinking about pregnancy! If you want to maximize your
chance of having a healthy baby, you will want to start preparing your body
now. This means you will have to take good care of yourself!
With a few lifestyle
changes, such as eating right and exercising regularly, you'll find that preparing
your body for pregnancy is easy. For a good outcome, it's important that you
prepare for your pregnancy weeks before you start trying to conceive.
At Women's Healthcare Topics, we will help you prepare for pregnancy with
our pregnancy week by week articles. These informative articles will teach
you everything you need to know about pregnancy, caring for your body,
your baby's development through the 40 weeks of pregnancy, and more!
Planning to Get Pregnant Pregnancy 1 Week
Are You Ready for Parenthood? To prepare for pregnancy, you should first make sure that you are ready to become a parent. Raising children can cost upwards off $200,000 from infancy to adulthood; are you financially prepared for this investment? Keep in mind that being a parent is about unconditional love, not just what material possessions you can offer your child.
Are you and your partner ready to become parents? This is only a decision the two of you can make. Don't let family members or friends influence this decision. Remember that parenthood is a life-long commitment. Talk to your husband or partner about the ways the new baby will change your life.
Caring for a newborn is a 24/7 responsibility. Your infant needs round-the-clock care - from feedings to diaper changes. Your sleep patterns will be disturbed and your lifestyle will change dramatically. Your baby should be your number one priority. Are you ready for this?
Scheduling a Pre-Pregnancy Appointment If you and your husband or partner are positive that you want to conceive, or add an additional child to your family, the next step you should take is scheduling a pre-pregnancy appointment with your healthcare provider. An OB/GYN or other qualified healthcare provider will review your health history, conduct a Pap examination to ensure you are healthy, and may draw blood to have a CBC (a comprehensive blood test) on the record.
To be on the safe side, you may want to your doctor about getting tested for rubella immunity. Most Americans receive the MMR (measles-mumps-rubella) vaccine during childhood, but it is important to double-check your immunity for this disease. Infection of rubella (also called the German measles) in early pregnancy can have devastating effects on your developing baby, including miscarriage and birth defects.
Choosing Your Pregnancy Healthcare Provider
Now at 1 week pregnant, you must decide whether you want your existing
gynecologist to be your obstetrician as well. Though this may sound simpler, in
reality, you might not have a choice. Some gynecologists do not deliver babies.
Others may not deliver at the hospital of your choice. And sometimes, they might
not accept your insurance plan.
If your gynecologist is also an obstetrician, and you are comfortable with them
to deliver your child, that's wonderful news! However, if you would like to choose
another doctor to be your OB/GYN. You should ask yourself these questions:
Do you want a male or female doctor?
What hospital do you want to have your baby?
Do you want a sole practitioner or someone from a larger practice with
many other OB/GYNs?
Once you know what you want an obstetrician, you may want to start interviewing
potential doctors. Ask your friends and family members whom they trust. Ask
your current doctor whom he or she recommends. Go from there.
Good luck
choosing the right obstetrician for you!
Nutrition Before Pregnancy Pregnancy 1 Week
Prenatal Vitamins At your pre-pregnancy appointment, your doctor may encourage you to take a
multivitamin. He will encourage you to start taking at least 800 mg of folic acid
each day. Folic acid is important even before you get pregnant, because it is
critical to your baby's development in the first weeks of pregnancy (even before
you realize you've missed your period). Folic acid helps prevent neural tube birth
defects, such as spina bifida.
You can also improve your baby's chances of being health by eating a diet
rich with folic acid. This includes green vegetables (such as spinach, broccoli,
and green beans), fortified cereals, and legumes (such as peas, beans, and
chickpeas).
Try to eat a healthy and balanced diet ' which includes many whole grains,
vegetables, fruits, and lean proteins. A healthy diet allows your body to absorb
many of the nutrients it needs to carry a healthy baby.
You are the sole nutritional
source for your baby. If your little one starts to lack an important nutrient, it will
start to take it from your nutritional stores. For example, if you have a calcium
deficiency, your baby will rob the calcium from your bones and you may end up
with osteoporosis ' or brittle bones! This is why you need to eat a healthy diet
and take prenatal vitamins during pregnancy.
It's not a bad idea to start taking prenatal vitamins druing pregnancy 1 week.
You never know when you might conceive in the next few weeks, and you
will want to be prepared, especially if you are actively trying to get pregnant.
Avoid Bad Habits
To prepare your body for pregnancy, it's important to avoid drinking alcohol.
Alcohol can impair both male and female fertility. In women, it can make it harder
for you to conceive. In men, heavy drinking can affect the quality and quantity of
sperm produced.
You should also stay away from tobacco smoke if you want to become pregnant.
Smoking can make it harder for you to conceive, and this can lead to a lot of
frustration. When you do become pregnant, keep in mind that smoke (even
secondhand smoke) can harm your developing fetus. If you are a smoker, you
should work with your doctor to quit smoking before you become pregnant.
Rest and Relax Pregnancy 1 Week As you continue through your pregnancy week by week, remember to rest and
relax! Stress is never good for your body. Spend some time meditating on your
family. A healthy mind and spirit are just as important as a healthy body for
maintaining a baby.
Keep in mind that only 20 percent of couples who are actively trying to conceive
will get pregnant in the first month of trying. Seventy-five percent will get
pregnant within six months. Armed with this new knowledge, be patient and don't
get too stressed out. Stress can also be detrimental to conception, and it can make it longer for you to become pregnant.
The best thing you can do is try to relax and not feel so pressured! Having a baby
is a beautiful experience, and you should enjoy the process!
It won't be long now before you experience the miracle of life! Be patient!
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