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.
Before pregnancy
If you’re hoping to get pregnant, health professionals recommend that you:
- take folic acid for at least three months before the pregnancy and the first three months of your pregnancy
- get immunised against rubella – if you’re not already – and avoid getting pregnant for one month after the vaccination
- speak to a doctor or a genetic counsellor if there’s a history of hereditary disease in your family
- check the safety of any medications you’re taking by talking with your doctor
- stop drinking alcohol, and avoid drinking too much coffee, tea and others drinks with caffeine in them
- 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 parental leave entitlements, your family finances, your home, your transport, and how you and your partner – if you have one – plan to organise 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.