By Miranda Lightstone
Pregnancy is a wild and wonderful thing. It’s as incredible as it is scary, and for a
multitude of reasons. Not only are you constantly aware of the fact that you are
growing a new person inside you, but the 1-month pregnant body is also a difficult thing to get used to.
Things to Avoid in Early Pregnancy
Obviously, the big thing to avoid when you’re newly pregnant (and really for the
duration of the pregnancy) is drinking, smoking and ingesting any sort of drugs
(even over the counter cold medications can be harmful). However, don’t panic if
you DID do some of that in the very beginning.
The night before I tested positive with my son, I attended a birthday party for a
friend. That evening I had copious amounts of alcohol. Like, a lot. And the next day I
decided it was a good idea to pee on a stick. I was a day late for my period and
figured why the hell not? Well, it went positive immediately, and I panicked. I’d
basically filled my belly (and my new baby nugget) with booze the previous night.
Mom of the year right here.
I’m not the only one to have done something like that though, and at the beginning
stages of fetal growth in your uterus, alcohol, tobacco and drugs have less of an
influence than they would later on in the baby’s growth and development.
Obviously, if you can avoid and/or stop consuming those things after 4-5 weeks,
that’s the best policy to follow.
Depending on your physical state and health prior to getting pregnant, it’s
important to stay active, but avoid super strenuous activities. So, maybe curb the
heavy lifting at CrossFit, but keep walking and/or light jogging.
Food to Avoid During Early Pregnancy
Ah, food. Every pregnant woman’s desire and disgust. There are really only two
main types of food to avoid when you’re in your first 4 weeks of pregnancy (and
really throughout the pregnancy, as well): sushi and sliced sandwich meat.
The reason to avoid those two types of food primarily is due to bacteria. A fetus is a
delicate thing, and introducing bacteria that our adult bodies can easily deal with to
a brand new baby just won’t work. Your little nugget isn’t yet equipped to handle
those germs.
So, feel free to have vegetarian sushi at 4 weeks pregnant, but avoid all
sandwich/deli meats for the duration of the pregnancy. The issue with deli meats is
that they run the risk of carrying listeria, something your fetus can’t fight, either.
Your Body when you’re 1 month Pregnant
At 4 weeks pregnant, your body won’t show the little one growing inside you to the outside world. However, internally, you’ll experience a whole host of things.
It’s not uncommon to experience some bleeding in the first few weeks or even
months of pregnancy. It all depends on your uterus and body. It can be a scary thing to go to the washroom and spot red when you’re just a few weeks pregnant. But try not to worry too much, as long as it’s just a small amount, and it’s not accompanied by severe, crippling cramping. If that’s the case, and the amount of blood is concerning, please seek medical attention immediately.
Speaking of cramping – that is also common. But not the crippling kind. Your body is “making room” for what’s to come. And your uterus is also dealing with what it sees as a foreign body. In a way, it will try and get rid of it. But the body is a beautiful thing and will make sure that fetus stays healthy and happy and gets nice and cozy in there.
You won’t feel the baby move for many more weeks (and let me tell you, that’s an
intense and oh-so-weird moment), but you will be overly aware of the fact that
something IS down there, growing.
Your breasts are also likely going to be sore. You won’t be producing any sort of milk yet, but the nipples could be a bit sensitive. This is all due to an increase in
hormones in the body, in preparation for the next 8 months of child growth.
At 1 month pregnant, you might also start to feel sluggish and tired. Give in to it.
Rest. Sleep, and let that baby grow. Again, your body is preparing for what’s ahead and the first few months of pregnancy can actually be the most difficult. Just listen to your body and go with the flow.
Sickness When You’re 1 Month Pregnant
I was super lucky; I didn’t get sick once when I was pregnant. Not once. And I realize some of you reading this now are cursing me. My own mother was ill for the entire 9 months when she was pregnant with me. I made her extremely ill.
So, not every woman will experience morning/evening/all day sickness. It really all depends on your physical makeup, overall health, and how your body reacts to pregnancy. Even women who have multiple children may experience the first 4
weeks differently for each child.
The human body, and the female body, in particular, is a beautiful, powerful, amazing thing. And in those first 4 weeks of pregnancy you’ll see just how strong and capable your body can be in preparation for that baby’s healthy growth inside.
Read our blog for expecting mothers to help you more with this stage of pregnancy!
