my pregnancy experience

Your baby has probably been tucked away in your womb for two weeks before you miss your first period or realize that your period is late. This makes calculating your pregnancy by week tricky, since you are considered one month pregnant when you miss your first period. The changes your body will go through at two weeks pregnant are so small that you will probably be the only one who notices them. Determining when you actually conceived isn't an exact science. You've probably been pregnant for two weeks by the time you miss a menstrual period, but doctors calculate pregnancy based on the date of your last period. So most people will consider you  four weeks pregnant  at this point. You may sometimes feel mildly sick to your stomach, especially when you first wake up, but not all women experience  morning sickness . Other early signs that you are at least two weeks pregnant may include sore breasts that feel fuller and heavier, exhaustion and mild backaches. Yo...

Stop  unhealthy habits  such as smoking, drinking, and excessive caffeine Take a  prenatal vitamin  with 400 mcg folic acid daily Track your cycle  to pinpoint your most fertile days Surprise! One week pregnant is actually not pregnant at all. Say what?! Most OBs count pregnancy starting from the first day of your last period. That's because ovulation and conception are really tough to pinpoint, but the physical signs of menstruation are much easier to spot. So in doctor speak, 1 week pregnant means you’re on your period and not yet pregnant. You won’t actually conceive your baby until week two or three, depending on the length of your cycle. If you’ve just found out you’re expecting, you might think this is your first week of pregnancy, but you’re probably around 4 weeks pregnant. Yes, already! (Your OB will give you a more accurate estimate when you go in for your first prenatal appointment.) Skip ahead and check out  week 4 .

At 1 week pregnant—remember at this early stage, the symptoms you're experiencing are those typical to your period because you're not actually pregnant. These symptoms may last from three to seven days, and can include: Vaginal bleeding.  You body is shedding the uterine lining, which holds last month’s unfertilized egg. Lower back pain and cramps.  To release that lining, your uterus contracts, causing your back and abdomen to ache. Bloating.  Fluctuating hormones can give you a bloated belly right before and during your period. Mood swings.  Those raging hormones can also cause irritability and wreak havoc on your emotions. Headache.  Many women complain of menstrual migraines, which are also hormone related. (Surprise, surprise.) Ice packs, OTC pain relievers, and relaxation exercises may help ease the pain.

Invest in a Pregnancy P illow I cannot stress the importance of this enough. Finding the right pregnancy pillow will change your life. Entering my second pregnancy, I was a skeptic of the pregnancy pillow, but that’s only because I did not find the right one in my first pregnancy. Start Preventing Stretch Marks I began rubbing my belly and its environs with  this almond oil  at  the very  beginning  of my pregnancy.  It really worked for me, and it also helped my skin feel more moisturized. (I live in a dry climate.)  Dress Comfortably Ladies, it might be time to hang up the heels… at least temporarily. Personally, I didn’t until my feet swelled up to twice their size, so it’s entirely up to you. But I think dressing in clothing that affords you more comfort can really help you feel better about yourself, physically and mentally.  Acquire the Perfect Bra This is something I wish I had done from day one. Why?  Your ches...