✓ First month of pregnancy: everything you need to know

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First month of pregnancy: what happens?

The first month of pregnancy it is the one in which we women do not yet know that we are pregnant. It begins with conception, which occurs approximately 2 weeks after the start of the last menstruation, in the so-called period of ovulation.

We are at the very beginning and the woman may not notice anything, until the next menstruation is delayed, or she may begin to feel the first symptoms and discomfort.

What exactly happens in the first month of pregnancy? We find out in this article.

First month of pregnancy: symptoms and signs

As anticipated, the first month of pregnancy it is the one in which conception takes place and in which the woman may not even notice anything. Those who do not expect to be pregnant will continue this month with their normal routine, without particular signs or inconveniences, those who hope to be pregnant will hopefully await the expected date of menstruation.

However, there are women who, although unaware of being pregnant, will already begin in these first weeks of pregnancy to feel some signs of that life that is slowly forming in their womb.

The first week of the first month is the one in which, usually you do not notice anything, in the second, however, you can have blood losses (the so-called implantation losses). In the third week, however, they can arrive mood swings, fatigue, nausea, cramps in the lower abdomen, all symptoms that can be confused with those of PMS.

First month of pregnancy: losses

During the first month, but throughout the first trimester, of pregnancy, it may happen that the woman finds traces of blood loss.

Commonly these are pinkish-brown spots, not important, attributable to the phase of implantation of the embryo, to hormonal factors, to small losses that may occur in correspondence with the cycle.

Better to always talk to a gynecologist, however, who, in most cases, will reassure you. It is different if the losses in the first month of pregnancy, or in the following months, are bright red. In that case the loss could be linked to a threat of abortion, it is better to contact the specialist promptly to understand how to behave.

Cramps, stomach ache or a swollen stomach

In the first month of pregnancy, the woman may feel greater pressure in the lower abdomen, a sort of cramps that affect the entire pubic area. Also you may notice swelling of the belly and also of the breasts.

These symptoms sometimes manifest themselves also in the ovulation phase and before the cycle, therefore, they can be misleading, but in reality they are not to be underestimated and could be the signal of an ongoing pregnancy.

In addition to these symptoms, there are also the first senses of nausea, which could increase in the following months, it is a very subjective disorder that changes in intensity from woman to woman. And then a continuous sense of tiredness and sleepiness that affects even the most active women. These are all warnings.

What to eat, habits to have

If you suspect that you are pregnant, even before taking the pregnancy test, it is good to start acquiring some healthy habits. Definitely eliminating alcohol and smoking is a top priority. It is also good to follow a healthy, varied diet, rich in proteins and vitamins and alternating meat, fish, carbohydrates, without ever giving up on fruit and vegetables.

While waiting for confirmation of pregnancy, it is also preferable to start eliminating raw foods and thoroughly cleaning fruits and vegetables.

Better not to overdo the efforts at this stage, follow a healthy and balanced lifestyle, taking into account a good number of hours of rest at night (about 7-8). Under the advice of your gynecologist you can start taking some multivitamins (often not necessary if the diet is varied and Mediterranean) and folic acid.

More generally, however, in the absence of particular problems, one can continue to follow a normal life.

Visits to be done in the first month of pregnancy

The first step is certainly to wait for the delay of the cycle and do a common pregnancy test, if it is positive, or if it is negative but the period does not arrive, it is better to contact your gynecologist who will arrange the first visit. If he deems it necessary, he will prescribe the Beta HCG.

This is a blood sample that can check the level of the pregnancy hormone. The latter, if the woman has a regular cycle and ovulation regularly occurred on the 14th day from the beginning of the last menstruation, is produced between the 21st and 22nd day of the cycle. The beta HCG values will confirm the pregnancy or not.

Your gynecologist will prescribe folic acid and a first round of tests, including HIV testing. To carry out the first ultrasound, it is necessary to wait for the seventh / eighth week. The first ultrasound will also be transvaginal.

Folic acid and vitamins in the first month of pregnancy

As soon as it is ascertained that there is an ongoing pregnancy, the gynecologist prescribes thefolic acid to the woman and, if necessary, a multivitamin.

If there are different currents of thought on the intake of vitamins - for example there are specialists who prescribe vitamin D from the first month of pregnancy and others who add vitamin supplements only later - on folic acid the line of thought is one and common: an implementation of folic acid of 400 micrograms per day, from before conception to tell the truth and up to the 12th week, reduces the risk of neural tube defects.

The weeks of pregnancy

With the start of a pregnancy, the so-called "counting of the weeks" also begins for each woman. We no longer think for days or months, but for weeks.

The first month of pregnancy is between the 1st to (approximately) 5th week of pregnancy. Menstruation that does not arrive is an important symptom, to which - as previously mentioned - other changes can be added: small blood loss, more sensitive breasts, sensitivity to odors, hard and swollen belly, tension in the lower abdomen, greater urge to pee , fatigue, headache
sudden changes in mood, nausea, constipation and even nasal congestion.

How are the weeks of pregnancy calculated

How to calculate the weeks of pregnancy? The midwife, Dr. of Studio Intreccio Treviglio, answers

Read also: What happens from the first to the fifth week of pregnancy

Sources: Department for the health of women and children Fatebenefratelli - Isola Tiberina www.fatebenefratelli-isolatiberina.com; IRCCS maternal and child www.burlo.trieste.com; www.salute.gov.com; https://www.epicentro.iss.com/.