Your Pregnancy Week 1
Using the Gestational Age Method, the first week of your pregnancy begins with the first day of your menstrual cycle. For most women, with a 28 day cycle, ovulation is thought to typically occur 14 days after the start of the menstrual cycle. However, the day of ovulation differs from woman to woman and can even be different for the same woman each month.
Ovulation predictor kits can help you determine whether or not you are ovulating. These kits detect the luteinizing hormone that rises in your body right before ovulation occurs. Your body also has some subtle ways to communicate to you that you are ovulating. A comprehensive list of the signs of ovulation follows below, but it is important to keep in mind that many women only notice one or two of these biological signals.
- Change in cervical fluid
- Change in cervical position
- Dull ache or pain on one side of abdomen
- Light spotting
- Increased libido
- Breast tenderness
- Abdominal bloating
- Heightened sense of vision, smell or taste
Starting your pregnancy diet
Even though conception has not yet occurred, starting your pregnancy diet now will give you a chance to get adjusted and help give your baby a healthy start!
For a healthy pregnancy you should be eating 3-4 servings of low fat diary, 2-3 servings of protein (from a lean source), 6 or more servings of breads and grains (whole wheat is best!), 5 or more servings of fruit (organic, if possible), and 2-3 servings of fats and oils.
You should also be avoiding toxic substances, like cigarettes and alcohol, and potentially harmful foods like fish high in mercury, deli meats, soft cheeses, and unpasteurized milk.
Have a caffeine habit?
This is a great time to start cutting down on caffeine. Although some studies do show that caffeine in moderation is OK during pregnancy, some studies show that large amounts of caffeine consumption may be related to miscarriage, premature birth, low birth weight and even withdrawal symptoms in infants. Since caffeine is a diuretic, it helps eliminate fluids from the body. This can result in not only water loss, but calcium loss as well. While pregnant, it is important that you drink plenty of water, juice or milk and not soda, coffee or tea. It is generally accepted that your caffeine intake should be limited to fewer than 300 mg per day during your pregnancy.
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