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Throughout my infertility journey, I became well-acquainted with what my body was doing on a day-to-day basis.
A twinge in my lower abdomen was a sign of impending ovulation; soreness in my boobs was sure to represent my period’s big debut. Bleeding might mean implantation bleeding!
Basically, any little ache, twinge, or flutter was mentally noted and inventoried for discussion with my doctor.
But once my embryo transfer was complete, the continual surveillance didn’t end.
In fact, it amplified.
I became obsessed with searching for one week pregnancy symptoms that would surely indicate that the process was successful and that there was an embryo successfully planted in the lining of my uterus.
Was I tired, cranky, or having strange cravings for pickles and ice cream? Anything even mildly unusual was another checkmark on the list of signs I’d finally conceived.
Color me surprised when I discovered that being “one week pregnant” wasn’t exactly what I expected it to be.
Whether you’re trying to figure out what a 1-week pregnancy belly looks like, or how early you can take a pregnancy test, it’s crucial to understand how doctors calculate a woman’s gestational period.
If you’ve ever wondered what it feels like to be “one week pregnant,” we’ve got all the answers you need to know!
What’s Taking Place When You’re 1-week Pregnant?
Are you sitting down? Because I’m about to blow your mind.
Before conceiving the first time, there are many ideas about the pregnancy process that already seem familiar to us, such as our water breaking, baby kicks, and morning sickness during the first trimester.
We also know that pregnancy lasts for nine months. Right?
Wrong.
Pregnancy consists of a 40 week gestational period. This means that in all actuality, we are “pregnant” for 10 months.
I told you I was going to blow your mind.
Here’s the thing about the process, though: the first few weeks of pregnancy start before the fertilization of any eggs takes place. Actually, the countdown starts before you’ve even ovulated!
Weeks 1 and 2 of pregnancy are the week of your menstrual cycle and the week right after.
You might be wondering why are these a part of the process if an embryo isn’t even developing?
It’s because the weeks leading up to ovulation are vital to conception. During these days, your body is working hard to prepare for the release of its next egg and getting your uterus ready to hopefully accept an embryo for implantation. Wondering how to help implantation? We’ve got you covered there, too!
While there might not be a baby developing, or any one week pregnancy symptoms to deal with, this doesn’t make the first week of a gestational period any less vital figuring out your due date.
Is it Possible to Feel Pregnant After 2 Days? 5 Days?
After my embryo transfer, I wish I could tell you that I waited at least a few days before I started impatiently waiting for one week pregnancy symptoms to show up.
On the contrary, by the morning after my procedure, I was already chomping at the bit to experience the first sensations of pregnancy, which begs the question, “Is it possible to feel pregnant after 2 days?”
For most women, the first pregnancy sign they’ll experience is a missed period. This generally occurs approximately 14 days after ovulation.
Hence, the two-week wait.
Some people may show early signs of pregnancy like discharge or sore breasts.
It’s worth noting, though, that there’s a minimal chance you’ll start to experience symptoms as early as 2 days post ovulation (DPO.) At 5DPO, you may begin to feel signs of successful implantation.
These can include:
- Mild Cramping or Twinges in Your Uterus
- Light Spotting
- Fatigue
Unusual Early Pregnancy Symptoms: A Checklist
Rather than focusing on what’s going on during those first official weeks of pregnancy, it can help to understand what some of the other early pregnancy symptoms might be besides a missed period.
If you’re feeling any of the symptoms listed below, these could be indicators you’re going to have a baby. Be aware, however, that many of these signs might also just mean that your period is on the way:
- Breast-Related Symptoms, i.e., darker areolas than normal, veiny breasts, or sore breasts
- Mild Cramping
- Light Bleeding or Spotting
- Nausea or Other Stomach Issues, such as constipation or diarrhea
- Lightheadedness
- Back Pain
- Strange Tastes in Your Mouth
- Mood Swings
How Early Can You Take a Home Pregnancy Test?
While it might be enticing to stroll the aisles of your local drugstore the day after you have unprotected sex searching for a 1-week pregnancy test, the results of that test will be completely unreliable.
Instead, the earliest you should consider taking a test is once you’ve missed your period.
This is because the pregnancy hormone (hCG) that gives you an actual positive or negative reading will show up only once you’ve missed your period and your body is actually producing that hormone.
Some pregnancy tests might claim to show results much earlier, but these aren’t always reliable. In fact, studies have shown that 1-in-4 pregnancy tests are misread or misleading.
If you suspect you might be pregnant, the most accurate way to tell is by having a blood pregnancy test performed by your doctor.
Is a 1-week Pregnant Belly Even a Thing?
At this point in our technological journeys, most of us have come into contact with a pregnancy tracker at some point or another.
You know what I mean, right?
Those adorable phone apps that compare your baby to various fruits and vegetables throughout their gestational journey.
If you’re trying to figure out what size your baby is at the beginning of pregnancy, or you’d like to know what a 1-week pregnant belly looks like, you’re in for a bit of disappointment.
Picture one of the small seeds on the outside of a strawberry – now, consider that this little seed is a giant in comparison to the size of your baby at one week.
As we’ve already discussed, the first week of pregnancy technically occurs before conception even happens. With that in mind, it’s important to realize that your future baby is an egg, or a microscopic cluster of cells, that’s awaiting fertilization.
While many hopeful mamas might be anxious for their bump to start taking form, it’s with the sincerest regret that I tell you that the 1-week pregnant belly doesn’t really exist.
Unless you’ve just indulged in a giant burrito! Then you might be rocking some sort of bump. Just not one made of a baby!
The Final Word On One Week Pregnancy Symptoms
So, what’s the moral of the story?
No matter how much you long to find out if you’re pregnant as soon as possible, one week pregnancy symptoms or a 1-week pregnancy belly just don’t exist. (We’re so sorry!)
We understand that the process can be confusing and even annoying, but know this, if you are pregnant, the signs will start showing up before too long.
And when they do, and you’re dealing with tender boobs and morning sickness, you might find yourself wondering if they’re ever going to end!
Did you scan your body for one week pregnancy symptoms? How did you figure out you were having a baby?
Kristen Bergeron is a freelance writer from Florida. In addition to writing, she is a wife, mother of two beautiful girls, Hadley and Scarlett, and a part-time photographer. After overcoming infertility and having two successful IVF cycles, she’s made it a personal goal to help educate men and women on the realities of fertility struggles. She is passionate about supporting fellow women who are trying to navigate the complicated world of conception, pregnancy, and learning to be the best mothers we can be.
