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Sign InWeek 1 — Your Cycle Begins
Overall Pregnancy
Your Baby is About
not yet formed
Technically, you're not pregnant yet. Week 1 is counted from the first day of your last period — your body is preparing by shedding last month's uterine lining and getting ready to grow a new one. Somewhere in your ovaries, a group of follicles is beginning to mature, with one getting ready to release the egg that could become your baby.
Your uterus is preparing its lining for a potential pregnancy. Estrogen levels are rising, and your body is building the environment it needs. If you're trying to conceive, this is a good time to make sure you're taking a prenatal vitamin with at least 400mcg of folic acid — neural tube development happens very early, before most people know they're pregnant.
Your due date is calculated from the first day of your last period — not from conception. This means that technically, you're considered '4 weeks pregnant' when the fertilised egg has only been around for about 2 weeks. It's a quirk of obstetric dating that trips everyone up at first.
Start a prenatal vitamin with at least 400mcg of folic acid if you haven't already. Folic acid helps prevent neural tube defects, and the neural tube forms in the first few weeks — before most people even know they're pregnant. You can get them over the counter at any pharmacy.
Focus on folate-rich foods: dark leafy greens, lentils, beans, and fortified cereals. Folate (the natural form of folic acid) supports healthy cell division from the very start.
This content is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider for guidance specific to your situation. Read full disclaimer
This is a great time for partners to also clean up their lifestyle — diet, alcohol, and sleep affect sperm quality, which matters for conception and early development.