First month of pregnancy: 8 things you should know

The first month of pregnancy is counted from the first day of the last menstruation. The symptoms of pregnancy during these first weeks are highly variable from woman to woman, and even from one pregnancy to another.

It is the one that goes unnoticed the most, since many women confuse the symptoms with diseases, stress or different ailments. It is common for the delay in menstruation to be taken lightly and not to think that it is caused by pregnancy.

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First month of pregnancy: 8 things you should know

During the first month of pregnancy there are no major physical changes. In this period the belly is not yet swollen and, except for some symptoms, everything passes relatively normally- However, it is important to know what happens in the body and what to do this first month.

The arrival of a new member to the family regularly causes joy and excitement. Still the mother may experience not so pleasant emotions. They are perfectly normal and have an explanation. Here we explain everything you need to know about the first month of pregnancy.

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1. Baby development

In the first month of gestation the embryo can measure up to 4 millimeters. It all begins with the fertilization of the egg and sperm. This gives rise to the zygote that moves towards the uterus and implants in the womb, occurring around the ninth day.

In the following days this zygote begins to differentiate into three layers. From them later on she will develop the central nervous system, the digestive system, the bones, the muscles and the blood system.

In addition, in this first month the placenta and umbilical cord begin to form already at a very early stage. These internal changes are not yet perceived outside, although hormonal changes begin to occur that can cause hypersensitivity.

2. Physical changes in the mother

Physical changes are not evident in the first month of pregnancy. There are women who have slight bleeding at the time the ovum implants, although in many cases this goes unnoticed or is interpreted as an early menstrual cycle.

The most obvious physical change is the lack of menstruation. Although the belly does not show growth, many women feel unusually bloated. They may also have slight growth or engorgement in the breasts due to increased progesterone and estrogens.

On the other hand, it is usually common for them to begin to feel like urinating much more frequently. This is due to increased blood flow that causes more water to pass through the kidneys.

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3. Confirmation of pregnancy

It is possible to confirm pregnancy from day 10 of pregnancy. There is a belief that a pregnancy test cannot be performed during the first month, as the results would not be reliable. However this is not true.

A pregnancy test can confirm that there is conception. It can be done a few days after the first period has been missed. If the conception date is known more or less, it can be done around day 10.

From the first moment certain hormones begin to be present in the body. This is enough to determine the result of the pregnancy test. Although it will always be advisable to go to the doctor for more precise tests.

4. Feeding

Food plays a fundamental role throughout pregnancy. It is important to maintain a balanced and balanced diet without unnecessarily over-portioning. In addition there are some foods that are best to restrict from the diet.

What should be eliminated are alcoholic beverages. This is absolutely essential so that the baby does not suffer from malformations. On the other hand, unpasteurized raw cheese, raw salmon or any raw meat should also be avoided. You also have to reduce your intake of salt and sodium in general.

Another recommendation is to drink enough water and eat fresh fruits and vegetables. It is very likely that the doctor recommends vitamins in pills and folic acid as food supplements, since it is common to feel very fatigued from the first month.

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5. Physical activity

During the first month of pregnancy it is advisable to maintain regular physical activity. Except for some sports that involve violent movement (such as boxing, martial arts, skiing, mountaineering, weights, or horseback riding), physical activity is highly recommended.

If the mother is used to doing physical activity before pregnancy, she can continue with her normal activity. Anyway, it is always better to discuss it with the doctor so that he is the one who indicates some guidelines according to the state of the pregnancy.

If prior to pregnancy the woman did not exercise, it can be done but with moderation. Activities like yoga, walking, swimming, dancing, stretching, and light weight routines are ideal

6. Habits

There are some habits that must be changed or established during this first month. Once a pregnancy has been confirmed, it is imperative to stop drinking alcohol, but also smoking.

Tobacco during pregnancy is one of the most harmful habits for the baby. Among the most common effects are low birth weight, delayed fetal growth, and increased chances of miscarriage.

Any other harmful substances such as drugs or stimulants are prohibited. They generate irreversible damage to the baby from the first month. In addition, we must forget about self-medication, since there are many drugs that should not be consumed during this stage.

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7. Emotional care

From the first month of pregnancy there may be changes in mood and sensitivity in the mother. One of the first reactions that occur in the body when the ovum implants are increases in progesterone, prolactin and estrogens.

All of these hormonal disturbances can cause sudden and unexplained hypersensitivity and mood swings. It is important to be aware of these changes in order to cope with and understand them.

However, a good diet, adequate rest and physical activity can help to better manage these mood swings. Nausea and an increased sense of smell may appear at this stage.

8. Risk signs

During the first month of pregnancy, be aware of certain risk signs. In the first days during the implantation of the ovum, bleeding may occur. The best thing is to go to the doctor before any type of bleeding.

Bleeding in the gums should also be treated, because if it happens you have to go to the dentist. On the other hand, nausea and vomiting are not frequent during the first month of pregnancy. However, if they do occur, do not be alarmed and must be discussed in the next consultation.

If there is fever, pain in the side of the belly, blood when urinating or if there is an accident, you should go immediately to see a specialist. Only the medical professional can assess the general condition of the mother and the fetus.

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Bibliographical references

• Fournier, S. and Leach, M. (2017). I'm going to be a mom! And now that?. Dome Books.

• Roca, E. and Basil, C. (2012). Let's be parents: The most complete, updated and expanded guide to pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum. Barcelona: Debolsillo.

• Ruiz, J. (2006). Nine months well fed. Martínez Roca editions.