1 Month Pregnant: Symptoms & Fetal Development

Psst. Missed your period, and it's been more than a week now? Time to take a pregnancy test! If you have already taken one and it's positive – congratulations, you're going to be a parent soon. You might be excited and wondering at the same time what is pregnancy all about. So, here's the answer – read on to know what you can expect this month.

1 Month Pregnancy Symptoms and Signs

You may not experience many or any symptoms of pregnancy in the first month. However, some of the early signs of pregnancy can include:

Missed period

This is perhaps the most common and very first cue of pregnancy. If you have a regular menstrual cycle and your period arrives late or never at all, you suspect being pregnant.

Mood changes

During the first month of pregnancy, the levels of pregnancy hormone increase dramatically, leaving you feeling more emotional than usual sometimes. Don't be surprised if you experience a roller coaster of moods, from feeling anxious and overwhelmed to excited and ecstatic, during this month. It is very much normal to feel what you're feeling. Speak to your loved ones about your emotions, and if you have any concerns, you can always talk to your doctor.

Bloating

A sudden increase in the levels of pregnancy hormones can cause bloating. However, you might even mistake this for a normal symptom of PMS. You can ward off this symptom by eating more fibrous foods and exercising regularly.

Cramps

Experiencing slight uterine cramping in the early days of pregnancy is normal. You might mistake these sensations for menstrual cramps. Keep in mind, if these cramps become painful, you can ask for pain relief recommendations from your doctor.

Spotting

Did you notice light spots of blood on your underwear and thought of your period approaching? You might be mistaken, as it may be something called implantation bleeding. It happens when the egg fertilises and implants within the uterine lining in the initial stages of pregnancy. Try wearing a panty liner to prevent any accidental leaks or stains.

Frequent urination

Pregnancy leads to an increase in the amount of blood in your body. Due to this, your kidneys have to work extra to process the additional fluid that ends up in your bladder later. Although other early pregnancy symptoms may ease up over time, nature's call might not be one of them. Don’t let this hold you back from maintaining your fluid intake because you must stay hydrated. Try to go to the washroom before leaving your home, going to bed, a meeting, or a car trip.

Sore breasts

Another common symptom of pregnancy is sensitive or sore breasts. However, it may go away in a few weeks when your body adjusts to the hormonal changes.

Fatigue

You may feel a little more tired than usual, thanks to the pregnancy hormone progesterone. Rest as much as you can. You may experience a burst of energy soon after entering the second trimester.

Nausea

Although morning sickness usually doesn’t hit until after the first month, some would-be-moms may experience it a little sooner, while some fortunate ones may never experience it at all. If you do experience it at any time, try staying hydrated, sipping ginger tea, or sucking on ginger candy to soothe the queasiness.

Constipation

The rising levels of hormones can slow down your digestive system, making you feel a little blocked up. This can also be caused due to the intake of prenatal vitamins that contain iron. Speak to your doctor for advice.

Food aversions

At one month pregnant, certain odours and flavours may not be quite as appealing as they once used to be. They might leave you feeling nauseous and trigger morning sickness. While cooking, switch on the kitchen fan and let your partner take on the taking-out-garbage duty for a while.

What Are the Pregnancy Months?

Pregnancies last nine months, right? Well, kind of. Pregnancies are typically about 40 weeks (almost 10 months) long, starting from the first day of your last menstrual period. But it’s not unusual for babies to arrive a few weeks early or late, and the "months" are a bit longer than four weeks. Also, sometimes it’s hard to pinpoint the exact date of conception. So, with all these variables, “nine months” is just a rough guide.

That’s why pregnancies are usually measured in weeks rather than months, and why you’ll hear references to “week 12” or “week 32,” for example. You’ll also notice references to the “pregnancy trimesters.” The three pregnancy trimesters are:

• First trimester: weeks 1-13

• Second trimester: weeks 14-27

• Third trimester: weeks 28-42

So, how do you determine how many months pregnant you are? There are different ways of calculating this, but often you are considered one month pregnant in about weeks five to eight of pregnancy — these are the weeks that follow your first missed period. Remember, though, you will have conceived some weeks before what’s referred to as this first month.

Due Date Calculator

At 1 month pregnant, the first thing you would want to know is about the day of your baby's arrival. The Pampers Due Date Calculator can help you get an estimate. Generally, your due date is calculated as 40 weeks or 280 days from the first day of your last period. The result is just a rough estimate, as you may not remember the exact date of your last period or the length of your cycle. So, it is very difficult to know exactly when the ovulation or fertilisation occurred. Usually, most would-be-moms deliver in two weeks on either side of their due date.

Confirming Your Due Date at Doctor’s

Although you may get an estimate through a tool, your doctor will be able to give you an accurate due date. He will typically ask you the date of the first day of your last menstrual period to calculate your due date. He will do so by adding 40 weeks to the date. However, this is applicable only if your menstrual cycle is regular, assuming the day of conception to be 14 days after your last period started. In the case of cycles shorter or longer than the average 28 days, your conception might not have happened around the 14th day of your cycle. In such cases, the calculated due date will be inaccurate.

If you know your cycle is about 35 to 40 days, your doctor may ask you to get an early ultrasound done to calculate your due date more accurately. Even if your conception didn't happen exactly on the 14th day, as long as your cycles are average length, your due date will be close enough. It’s just an estimate, anyway!

Fetal Development at 1 Month Pregnant

Your baby is at the embryo stage, developing from a fertilised egg full of multiplying cells. After you conceive, the egg that gets fertilised travels from the fallopian tube to the womb, where it implants itself in the uterus lining. The egg then divides into a bunch of cells that becomes an embryo.

The embryo is growing fast and has already started building up the organ systems. The placenta and umbilical cord are developing too, to provide nourishment to your baby throughout the pregnancy. At about 8 weeks pregnant, the embryo will have developed a tiny spine and limbs and started forming the brain, eyes, and ears. Your little one will stay an embryo until the end of the second month and then officially transform into a foetus.

Did you know? The 1-month pregnant baby size is about 0.2 inches that is the size of rice grain.

Advice For Partners

As pregnancy is between partners, both of you need to take care of your health and well-being. So, here is something for you both:

• Get screened and treated for any possible sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

• Avoid drinking alcohol, smoking and recreational drug use.

• Talk about your feelings about pregnancy and your expectations. Healthy conversations help establish a stronger connection as you begin this journey and successfully transition to parenthood together.

• Provide support and encouragement to the expecting mother.

• Encourage healthier lifestyle choices.

• Go grocery shopping together and choose healthy meal options and cook them together.

• Go for a walk together to get some fresh air and spend some quality time together.

• Spend time in activities that you both enjoy together.

Remember, it is quite easy to make good choices and continue with them when you both support and encourage each other.

Track your baby's development with our month-on-month expert tips on pregnancy.

First Month of Pregnancy Quick List

• Find out if you’re pregnant: You can find out you’re pregnant by taking a home pregnancy test. These tests are usually more accurate when taken a few days or even a week after the first day of your missed period.

• Get a doctor’s checkup: Head to your healthcare provider, who’ll be able to confirm your pregnancy via tests, including measuring your levels of the hormone known as human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). Your provider will also be able to give you guidance on the appointments you’ll need to keep over the next nine months (or so).

• Pregnancy nutrition: Speak to your doctor about healthy pregnancy nutrition and what pregnancy vitamins or supplements might be right for you.

• Refocus on your health: Try to quit unhealthy habits like smoking and drinking, and try to reduce stress.

• Check in with your feelings: This is an emotional time, and you might be feeling all kinds of physical symptoms and pregnancy emotions. Rest up, and speak to loved ones about how you are feeling.

• Sign up for even more pregnancy tips.

The journey has just begun, so make sure you embrace the feeling, enjoy every moment and rest equally to stay healthy.