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About The 1st Trimester

Lots of things happen in this trimester. You conceive (either on purpose or accidentally), you discover you are pregnant, confirmation of the pregnancy is made by a health practitioner, you have your first ultrasound, news of a pregnancy is shared, tiredness is common and most women probably experience morning sickness to some degree.

About You

Week 1 is the first week of the 1st trimester. You don't know you are pregnant. If you haven't already started to do so, start taking a pregnancy multivitamin that contains folic acid and iron. Taking folic acid (a B vitamin) before you get pregnant and early on into your pregnancy can reduce the risk of your baby developing neural tube defects such as spina bifida and anencephaly by 50 to 70 percent. Folic acid may also reduce the risk of other defects, such as cleft lip, cleft palate, and certain heart defects. Taking folic acid may even lower your risk of preeclampsia. Your body absorbs the synthetic version of folic acid better than the natural one found in food, so even if you eat a balanced diet, a supplement is strongly recommended.

* Try not to overindulge in alcohol or other drugs if you are trying to get pregnant.

About Baby

This is the week that your partner's sperm fertilises your egg, and genetic material is combined. Within a matter of hours the microscopic zygote divides many times.

This week's activities for the pregnancy to-do list

1. Start taking a prenatal vitamin if you haven't already

2. Write down the date of your last period or two

3. Figure out when you're ovulating

4. With your partner, create a family health history, including any genetic or chromosomal disorders

5. Quit smoking, and cut out any other bad health habits

Note that this article contains general information only and is not intended to replace advice from a qualified health professional.