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You at 1 week pregnant

You’re not pregnant at the moment. In fact, this week you have your period.

Your pregnancy is calculated from the first day of this period. This is because it can be hard – impossible, even – to know exactly when your baby was conceived. But most women can remember the day their period started.

pregnancy illustration, week 1Before pregnancy
If you’re hoping to get pregnant, health professionals recommend the following:

  • Take a folic acid supplement of 400 micrograms (μg) a day, for at least 1 month before the pregnancy and the first 3 months of your pregnancy.
  • Get immunised against rubella if you’re not already, and avoid getting pregnant for one month after the vaccination.
  • Get COVID-19 vaccinations – you can keep trying to get pregnant before and after vaccination.
  • Speak to a doctor or a genetic counsellor if a condition seems to run in your family.
  • Check the safety of any medicines you’re taking by talking with your doctor.
  • Stop drinking alcohol, and avoid too many drinks with caffeine in them, like coffee, tea, cola and energy drinks.
  • Cut out smoking and non-prescribed drugs.
  • Eat a healthy, well-balanced diet, full of vitamins and minerals.
  • Be physically active and talk to your doctor about a healthy weight for pregnancy if you’re overweight.
  • Have a medical check if you have a chronic health problem like high blood pressure, diabetes or epilepsy.

You might also want to think about practical things like your pregnancy and work entitlements, family finances, home, transport arrangements and plans for child care.

Your pregnancy might not have been planned. That’s OK. It’s a very good idea to see your GP as soon as possible to start planning your pregnancy care. 

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Raising Children Network is supported by the Australian Government. Member organisations are the Parenting Research Centre and the Murdoch Childrens Research Institute with The Royal Children’s Hospital Centre for Community Child Health.

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  • Murdoch Children's Research Institute

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