1 Month Pregnant: Common Symptoms

You might have noticed some changes in your body and started to wonder, “Could I be pregnant!? Or, you might not have observed any signs of pregnancy other than your period being late. If you have your suspicions, you'll probably want to take a home pregnancy test. If the result is positive, congratulations! Read on to find out more about early pregnancy symptoms, how your baby is developing when you’re 1 month pregnant, and what else is in store for you this month.

Common Pregnancy Signs and Symptoms at 1 Month Pregnant

So, how will you know if you are pregnant? At 1 month pregnant, you may not experience many—or any—signs and symptoms. However, some of the early signs of pregnancy at can include:

• A missed period. If you have a regular menstrual cycle, this is perhaps the most telling sign of pregnancy. You might first suspect you could be pregnant when your period is late, and then when it never arrives at all.

• Mood changes. When you become pregnant, your hormone levels start to rise dramatically, and this can sometimes leave you feeling more emotional than usual. It’s also common to experience a range of moods—anything from being anxious and overwhelmed to feeling excited and ecstatic—when you find out you are pregnant. Talk to your loved ones about your feelings and consult your healthcare provider if you have any concerns.

• Bloating. The surge of pregnancy hormones before you’re officially 1 month pregnant can lead to bloating, which you might even mistake for general stomach pain or a normal symptom of PMS. Eating more fiber and getting regular exercise can help relieve bloating.

• Cramps. Some moms-to-be get light uterine cramping in the early days and weeks of pregnancy. These sensations can sometimes feel like menstrual cramps, so you might think you're about to get your period. If cramps are painful or are bothering you, ask your healthcare provider to recommend suitable pain-relief options.

• Spotting. If you notice some spots of blood on your underwear, it could be what’s called implantation bleeding. This light spotting can happen when the fertilized egg implants itself in the uterine lining in early pregnancy, before you’re officially 1 month pregnant. Wearing a panty liner can help prevent any accidental leaks or stains.

• Frequent urination. When you become pregnant, the amount of blood in your body starts increasing. This means your kidneys have to work overtime to process the extra fluid, which then ends up in your bladder. Although some early symptoms of pregnancy may ease up over time, this might not be one of them. Don’t cut back on your fluid intake—it’s important to stay hydrated—but think about trying to pee before you leave your home or any time you might be away from a restroom for any length of time, such as before a meeting or a car trip.

• Sore or tender breasts. Your breasts may be sensitive or even sore right now, but this symptom may subside in a few weeks as your body gets used to the hormonal changes taking place.

• Fatigue. It’s not uncommon to feel a little more tired than usual, and the hormone progesterone may be to blame. Take it easy as much as you can and know that many moms-to-be experience a burst of energy once they enter the second trimester in a few months time.

• Nausea. The dreaded morning sickness (nausea with or without vomiting) often doesn’t hit until after the first month of pregnancy, but some moms-to-be may get it a bit sooner, and some lucky women may never experience any queasiness associated with early pregnancy at all. Try to stay hydrated, take a multivitamin, and sip ginger ale or ginger tea to help soothe your stomach. You can read more about when morning sickness starts and ends here .

• Constipation. If you’re feeling a bit blocked up, chalk it up to those rising levels of hormones, which can slow down your digestive system. Prenatal vitamins, which typically contain iron, may also be a factor. Staying hydrated and exercising can help, but ask your healthcare provider for additional advice on how to help get things going again.

• Food aversions. When you’re newly pregnant, you might find that certain odours and flavours aren’t quite as appealing as they used to be. Feeling nauseous when you encounter certain foods and smells can sometimes go hand in hand with morning sickness. Use a kitchen fan when cooking and ask your partner to take out the garbage if certain smells start to bother you.

How Is Your Baby Developing This Month?

After conception, the fertilized egg travels along the fallopian tube to the uterus, where it will implant in the uterine lining. This is when some women experience implantation bleeding.

When you’re 1 month pregnant, the egg divides into a bunch of cells, some of which become the embryo and some of which eventually become the placenta, which will provide nourishment for your baby during your pregnancy. The umbilical cord also forms between the embryo and the placenta, delivering nutrients and removing waste.

The upcoming month is a time of rapid growth for your little one, as internal organs, bones, and tiny limbs are beginning to form.

One quick note on the terminology you might see when reading up on baby development: During the first eight weeks (when you’re 1 month and 2 months pregnant), your little one may be referred to as an embryo in medical circles. After this point your baby may be referred to as a fetus until they are born.

What Size Is Your Baby When You’re 1 Month Pregnant?

When you’re 1 month pregnant, the embryo is teeny-tiny, but by the start of the second month of pregnancy your little one will be about 1/4 inch long or about the size of a pumpkin seed.

For a glimpse at how your little one might be looking inside your belly at four weeks, look at this illustration:

Changes to Your Body at 1 Month Pregnant

So, can you show at 1 month pregnant? No, not really. You probably won’t be noticing any changes to your body just yet, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t a lot going on under the surface.

At this point, it’s important to prepare your body for pregnancy and childbirth by paying attention to your overall health and nutrition. This often means taking a multivitamin supplement to make sure you have all the nutrients you and your little one will need for the months ahead.

Consult your healthcare provider at your first prenatal visit to make sure you’re getting the right amounts of the right vitamins.

It can also be helpful to begin or continue an exercise routine this month. Check in with your provider to make sure your favourite activities are safe during pregnancy, but in general, getting regular exercise can help build the strength and endurance you’ll need throughout your pregnancy.

How Far Along Are You at 1 Month Pregnant?

At 1 month pregnant, you’re at the start of the first trimester. Though there is no standard way of grouping pregnancy weeks into months (as they don't fit evenly), the first month usually includes week one through week four of pregnancya.

The breakdown of weeks into trimesters also varies; here is a common method we'll follow:

• First trimester. 1 to 13 weeks

• Second trimester. 14 to 27 weeks

• Third trimester. 28 to 40 weeks (or until you give birth).

Wondering which week of pregnancy you’re in now? Read more about how far along you are in your pregnancy to find out how it’s calculated.

How Is Your Due Date Calculated?

At 1 month pregnant, you’ll be eager to know when your newborn will arrive. Your healthcare provider is best equipped to give you an accurate date.

Your due date is calculated as 40 weeks, or 280 days, from the first day of your last menstrual period. Keep in mind that your due date is just an estimate. You may not remember the date of your last period; the length of your menstrual cycle may be shorter or longer than the 28-day average; and it’s very difficult to know exactly when ovulation or fertilization occurred.

Keep in mind, only a small percentage of babies are born exactly on their due date and most babies are born in the two weeks either side of their due date. Still, having an estimate of your due date gives you a rough idea of when your little one might arrive, and a date to look forward to!

Checklist for When You’re 1 Month Pregnant

☐ Confirm your pregnancy by taking a home pregnancy test, which works by detecting the hormone hCG in your urine. ☐ Research and select a prenatal healthcare provider.

☐ Arrange a doctor’s checkup. At this first prenatal checkup, your provider will be able to confirm your pregnancy and give you guidance on the appointments you’ll need to keep over the coming months.

☐ Consult your provider about your pregnancy diet and whether you need to take any prenatal vitamins, such as folic acid.

☐ Read up on pregnancy warning signs you shouldn’t ignore so that you know what to look out for and when it’s best to call your healthcare provider.

☐ Download our complete guide to exercising while pregnant, which is brimming with helpful tips, and ask your healthcare provider what type of exercise is right for your situation.

☐ Quit unhealthy habits like smoking and drinking and try to reduce stress.

☐ Although rare, it’s a good idea to read up on the signs of an ectopic pregnancy—just in case.

☐ Rest up whenever you can.

☐ If your partner doesn’t know you are pregnant yet, check out our fun ideas for how to announce your pregnancy to your partner.

☐ Speak to your loved ones about how you are feeling. This can be an emotional time, and it might help to share any worries or fears you have with people you trust.

☐ You might already have some favourite baby names in mind, or you might have no idea what direction you’d like to go in. You still have plenty of time to figure it out, and you might even go back and forth on a few names before deciding. For now, check out these unique baby boy names and unique baby girls names—you never know you might just spot the perfect name.

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