1. First week of pregnancy - what happens in week 1 of pregnancy
2. When does the first week of pregnancy begin?
3. What happens in your body during the 1st week of pregnancy
4. The interplay of hormones in the 1st week of pregnancy
5. The first week of pregnancy - abdominal pain and other complaints
6. This way you can alleviate the symptoms of menstrual cramps:
7. The 1st week of pregnancy - prepare your body for a possible pregnancy
8. The 1st week of pregnancy - what you should do before you get pregnant
9. Waiting for your dream child - between anticipation and disappointment

First week of pregnancy - what happens in week 1 of pregnancy

When an egg and a sperm give birth to a new life, a little human being, it is nothing short of a miracle. Pregnancy is one of the most impressive phases of a woman's life and usually brings with it a rollercoaster of emotions - from anticipation to fear, from uncertainty to an unprecedented feeling of love. With this pregnancy calendar, we take you by the hand and accompany you through these exciting 40 weeks.

The first week of pregnancy - that sounds exciting, doesn't it? Strictly speaking, however, a woman in the 1st week of pregnancy is not yet pregnant. You can find out why this is the case, what is happening in your body and what you should look out for during this week here.

When does the first week of pregnancy begin?

As already mentioned, you are not yet pregnant in the 1st week of pregnancy. The same applies to the 2nd week of pregnancy. Why is that? In a regular cycle, ovulation takes place around day 14. Fertilisation can only occur after this. If a pregnancy is detected, the first day of pregnancy is set retroactively to the first day of the last menstruation. It is therefore the first week of the cycle in which a pregnancy later occurs. If you would like midwife support for the first trimester, our Online workshop help.

Practical help for you:
Emergency service midwife Katharina explains the most important things about the maternity pass online.

What happens in your body during the 1st week of pregnancy

If there was no pregnancy in the previous cycle, menstruation now begins. This causes some blood vessels to open and the upper layer of the uterine lining (endometrium) is shed. To loosen the mucous membrane, the muscles of your uterus contract and relax again. This happens in an irregular rhythm. Gradually, the layers of mucous membrane detach and, mixed with a little blood, the tissue flows out through the vagina. For most women, menstruation lasts around three to seven days. On average, around 65 millilitres of menstrual fluid, consisting of blood, mucosal cells and mucus, are produced during this period.

By the way: Some women bleed more, others less, this is completely normal. The amount of menstrual bleeding usually says nothing about how good your chances of getting pregnant are. However, if you don't have a period for a long time, you may have a hormonal disorder. In this case, it is advisable to consult a doctor. The same applies if you have extremely heavy bleeding and pain, which could indicate endometriosis.

After the old uterine lining has been shed, a new one begins to form. While it is only around 2 millimetres thick after menstruation, it grows to around 6 to 10 millimetres over the next few days. This creates a cosy "nest" in which the egg can make itself comfortable after fertilisation.

At the same time, several follicles begin to mature in the first week of the new cycle. In most cases, only one of these will fully mature after around 14 days and release the egg.

The interplay of hormones in the 1st week of pregnancy

Various hormones are responsible for all these processes in your body during the first week of pregnancy. These act in a finely tuned interplay and are released by the diencephalon, the pituitary gland and the ovaries. If there was no fertilisation in the previous cycle, the level of the hormone progesterone falls. This in turn causes the rejection of the old uterine lining and thus the onset of menstrual bleeding. From the start of a new cycle, the hormones FSH and LH stimulate the growth of follicles (egg follicles). The larger these become, the more oestrogen they release. These hormones in turn promote the build-up of the uterine lining.

The first week of pregnancy - abdominal pain and other complaints

Depending on the woman, the symptoms during menstruation can vary greatly. You may be one of those who do not feel affected by your period at all, or you may suffer from pain and discomfort every month. The following symptoms can occur during your period:
- Cramp-like abdominal pain
- Back pain
- Diarrhoea
- Nausea
- Headache
- Excessive sweating
- Tiredness
- Mood swings

This way you can alleviate the symptoms of menstrual cramps:

– Keep movingLight physical activities such as yoga, cycling or walking can help with menstrual pain.
– HeatTake a cup of tea (particularly antispasmodic: lady's mantle tea (5)) and make yourself comfortable with a hot water bottle on your stomach. The localised warmth relieves cramps and thus eases the abdominal pain.
– RelaxationTake it easy on these days, avoid stress and get a massage from your partner.
– Monk's pepperExtracts of this medicinal plant are said to help with PMS symptoms and breast tenderness. The extract also has a regulating effect on the female hormone balance and in certain cases can even help with an unfulfilled desire to have children.
– AcupressureThis traditional Chinese medicine treatment can also relieve menstrual pain, partly because acupressure promotes blood circulation and has a relaxing effect.
– Essential oilsAdd a few drops of essential oils to neutral massage oil and rub the mixture on your stomach. Lavender, rose and marjoram oils are particularly helpful.
– MedicationIf there is no other option, you can also use a painkiller such as Buscopan or Ibuprofen.

The 1st week of pregnancy - prepare your body for a possible pregnancy

You want to have children, you have stopped using contraception and perhaps this cycle is the one cycle that will change your life. As already explained, you are of course not yet pregnant in the first week of pregnancy. However, there are a few things you can do to prepare your body for pregnancy in the best possible way and even increase your fertility.

Eat a healthy diet

Pregnancy is like a 40-week marathon and demands a lot from your body. So do something good for yourself and eat a healthy diet before you get pregnant if possible so that your body is supplied with all the important nutrients. Say yes to fruit and vegetables. They contain lots of vitamins and minerals. When it comes to carbohydrates, wholemeal products are preferable. Your body also needs healthy proteins, such as pulses, nuts and fish. Sea fish in particular provides you with valuable omega-3 fatty acids. In addition, don't forget to drink. Drink about 2 litres of liquid every day, preferably in the form of water or unsweetened herbal teas.

Avoid nicotine and alcohol

Of course, alcohol, nicotine and other drugs are an absolute no-go during pregnancy. But caution is advisable even before fertilisation. You don't have to be completely abstinent. However, bear in mind that your behaviour now can already have an impact on your future baby. After all, the egg cell, from which the embryo will later develop, is already beginning to mature.

This also applies to your partner, as sperm quality can also be affected by the consumption of nicotine and alcohol. For example, there are studies that suggest that the risk of heart disease in the child increases if the mother or father drank alcohol in the three months before conception. Alcohol and smoking have also been shown to reduce the fertility of both men and women.

Start taking folic acid

One of the vitamins whose requirement increases significantly during pregnancy is Folic acid. Among other things, your baby needs this for the development of nerve cells, the spinal cord and the brain. Folic acid is found in pulses, green vegetables and wholemeal products, for example. In order to fully cover the increased requirement and thus prevent malformations, it is recommended to take 400 micrograms of folic acid per day in the form of food supplements before the start of pregnancy.

The 1st week of pregnancy - what you should do before you get pregnant

You and your partner are sure that you want to start your own family. Perhaps you have already stopped using contraception or want to do so from this cycle onwards. Use the time now to prepare for the baby adventure in the best possible way.

It is therefore advisable to check your immunisation status and update any missing vaccinations if necessary. This is particularly important for diseases that pose a risk to your unborn baby. But beware: After vaccination with a live vaccine (e.g. against rubella, measles, mumps and chickenpox), it is advisable to wait at least one month before becoming pregnant.

If you usually take medication, for example because of a chronic illness, please consult your doctor to make sure that it does not pose a risk to your unborn baby. However, never stop taking these important medications on your own. With some medications, even abrupt discontinuation can be harmful. Your doctor can tell you what you should bear in mind when taking your medication.

A visit to the dentist is also a good idea. You certainly don't want to have toothache with a pot belly. X-rays should also be avoided during pregnancy. So make sure you get any major dental work done before you have a baby. It is also advisable to have your teeth professionally cleaned. There appears to be a connection between gum inflammation and premature births. In addition, it is not uncommon for periodontitis to worsen due to hormonal changes during pregnancy. Although the popular saying "every child costs a tooth" is fortunately considered outdated today, now is still the right time to do something for your dental health.

Waiting for your dream child - between anticipation and disappointment

Is this your first fertility cycle and have you just stopped using contraception? Then you're probably very excited to start this adventure. Or maybe you've already had a few "practice cycles" and no pregnancy has yet materialised. For many women who have been working towards a baby for a long time, the onset of their period is often like a little stab in the heart. Once again it didn't work out. It is quite normal to feel disappointed at first.

Whilst for some couples it works straight away in the first cycle (or the pregnancy is even completely unplanned), others have to wait a little longer. But let me tell you: even for completely healthy couples, it is absolutely normal for it to take a year or more before they are rewarded with a positive pregnancy test.

Try to be as relaxed as possible when trying to conceive, as stress can have a negative effect on fertility. If it still doesn't work after a year, it may be advisable to consult a doctor and look for possible reasons. Fortunately, there are now many ways to help couples who are unable to conceive. In any case, this new cycle is now also a new chance to hold a baby in your arms soon.

For the second week of pregnancy →