If you’re anticipating a pregnancy in the near future, or you suspect you might already be 1 or 2 weeks pregnant, you might be looking out for those very early signs. Here’s the interesting part – at 1-3 weeks pregnant, you’re technically not pregnant, hence why pregnancy symptoms are very rare in the first couple of weeks. We’ve got all the information you need to know about 1, 2 and 3 weeks pregnant, and what’s happening inside your body during this time.

Highlights at 1, 2 and 3 Weeks Pregnant

Here are a few important highlights to look forward to when you’re 1-3 weeks pregnant:

• Pregnancy symptoms in weeks 1, 2 and 3. Are you wondering if it's possible to notice any very early signs of pregnancy at 1, 2 or 3 weeks? Around week 3, the egg implants into your uterus, and you might notice symptoms like light bleeding, spotting, cramps or bloating.

• Calculating your due date. Most GPs track pregnancy along 40 weeks, starting with the last day of your previous period. That means you aren’t actually pregnant until fertilisation occurs and your baby is conceived, between week 2 and 3 of your pregnancy.

• Making healthy choices early on. Making healthy lifestyle changes early in your pregnancy supports the development of your baby. Though your GP may offer specific advice, consider incorporating pregnancy vitamins, healthy foods and exercise into your daily life.

1-3 Weeks Pregnant

Here’s an interesting fact: Because of the way pregnancy is usually measured, you’re technically not pregnant during the first two weeks or so of your pregnancy. The average length of a pregnancy is calculated as 40 weeks (280 days), starting from the first day of your last menstrual period – this is known as the LMP dating method.

• When you’re 1 week pregnant, you’re having your period.

• At 2 weeks pregnant, you’re probably ovulating. Ovulation happens about 14 days after the start of your period (assuming you have a 28-day cycle), with fertilisation and conception following.

• Around week 3, at the earliest, you can really become pregnant.

That’s a lot to get your head round. But, for the sake of calculation, and what you and your GP will consider as 1 and 2 weeks pregnant, you’re not actually pregnant until week 3. But even though you may not notice any of those very early signs of pregnancy at 1-3 weeks pregnant, there’s still a lot going on inside you.

When is Your Due Date?

It's natural to wonder about your due date when you find out you’re pregnant, as you’re probably already excited to meet your new baby!

Try our Due Date Calculator, where you can simply enter the first day of your last menstrual period (LMP) or the date of conception.

Again, GPs use the LMP method to determine your estimated due date. So once you start to notice those early pregnancy signs or have the feeling that you might be pregnant, take a pregnancy test at home or confirm your pregnancy with your GP so you can calculate your due date!

How Many Months Is 1 to 3 Weeks Pregnant?

Your GP will refer to your pregnancy in weeks, but you may also hear months being used. The nine months of pregnancy doesn't divide evenly into weeks, and there are various methods used to assign weeks into months. However, the first month of pregnancy typically includes the first four weeks. So, at 1-3 weeks pregnant, you’re in your first month of pregnancy, even if you haven’t noticed any belly bump or symptoms!

Your Symptoms at Weeks 1, 2 and 3

Your pregnancy journey is underway, but as mentioned above, you’re not actually pregnant yet. This may seem mind-boggling, and it’s common to wonder if there are any symptoms during the first 72 hours of pregnancy or in the first couple of weeks. Again, because of the way pregnancy is calculated, it’s possible to feel no symptoms during those first weeks. But after two weeks, there’s a whole lot starting to happen inside your body:

• Egg release. One of your ovaries will release an egg around 14 days after the first day of your last period (assuming you have a typical 28-day cycle).

• Fertilisation. As the egg travels down one of your fallopian tubes, it may unite with sperm. If they find each other, they’ll join up in a fallopian tube and the sperm will fertilise the egg. This process determines the sex of a baby.

• First DNA. The embryo, which is the fertilised egg, carries chromosomes from the egg and sperm and sets the first building blocks of your future baby’s genetic makeup.

• Implantation. If you were asking the question ‘when does implantation occur?’, this is the moment! The embryo moves down the fallopian tube and toward the uterus, and at this point it has started growing. It will then attach itself to the uterus lining in a process called implantation. The hormones released at this point prevent the uterus lining from shedding; hence the missed periods during pregnancy.

What this all boils down to is that you won’t feel any of those very early signs of pregnancy in weeks 1, 2 or possibly even 3. If you have yet to conceive, then it makes sense that you wouldn’t notice anything! Therefore, if you’re wondering ‘can morning sickness start at 1 week?’ it’s very unlikely.

Very Early Signs of Pregnancy

That’s right, during weeks one, two or three, it’s likely you won’t experience any pregnancy symptoms and you may not even suspect you’re pregnant (it’s possible you haven’t even conceived until 3 weeks pregnant). In the following weeks there may be several signs of pregnancy that you could experience:

• A missed period is often the first clue of pregnancy, but it won’t happen until you’re 4 weeks pregnant, not before. Around the time you miss a period, you may start noticing more early pregnancy symptoms.

• Implantation bleeding is another early sign of pregnancy, as it occurs when the tiny ball of cells attaches to the uterine lining. Not everyone experiences it, but this light spotting is normal and can sometimes be mistaken for menstrual blood. Spotting, cramps or light bleeding usually happens 10 to 14 days after conception, so around when you’re 3 to 4 weeks pregnant.

• Morning sickness is another common symptom of early pregnancy, and despite the name, it can occur at any time of the day. These symptoms of nausea or vomiting usually crop up between weeks 4 and 9.

• Other symptoms like gas, fatigue, breast tenderness, moodiness and frequent urination can also occur during these early weeks.

What Size is a Pregnant Belly at 1, 2 and 3 Weeks?

Every pregnancy is unique, so it’s possible to notice that bump earlier or later than other pregnant women. At 1-3 weeks pregnant, it’s unusual to have any increase in the size of your belly. Remember that you’re not actually pregnant during those first two weeks and it’s still early during the third week.

What Size is Your Baby at3 Weeks Pregnant?

Although your bump won’t be noticeable at 3 weeks pregnant, your baby's development is under way inside your belly, with cells dividing and multiplying. By around 3 weeks in your pregnancy, your little one is just a tiny collection of over 100 cells, known as an embryo – too small for a bump just yet.

How Early Can You Tell If You Are Pregnant?

When can you confirm your pregnancy? And can you take a pregnancy test at 1, 2 or 3 weeks? Well, it’s possible to get a positive pregnancy test at 3 weeks, but it’s always best to wait until after your missed period to take a pregnancy test, as you’ll receive more credible results. That’s because a home pregnancy test responds to the levels of a hormone called human chorionic gonadotropin, or hCG, in your urine, which begin to increase shortly after conception. So, although your hCG levels may be high enough in week 3 to result in a positive test, you’ll want to confirm with your GP that you’re pregnant.

How Far Along Are You?

Knowing how far along you are in pregnancy can help your GP to check on your baby’s growth and development, keep an eye on your health and schedule tests and exams.

The weeks of pregnancy can be grouped as follows into three trimesters:

• First trimester: 1 to 13 weeks (roughly months one to three)

• Second trimester: 14 to 27 weeks (months four to seven)

• Third trimester: 28 to 40-42 weeks (months seven to nine).

Check out the illustration below to see how far along you are in your pregnancy:

Precautions to Take at 1-3 Weeks Pregnant

Staying healthy and safe during pregnancy is a priority for both you and your baby. Even before those very early signs of pregnancy in weeks 1, 2 or 3, it’s always wise to take some precautions. Consider some of the following if you’re trying to conceive or have just learned that you’re pregnant.

Lifestyle Adjustments

Even simple changes can help support you as you start your pregnancy! Though you’re GP can give you more tailormade advice, some worthwhile lifestyle changes and precautions include

• eating healthily

• staying hydrated

• reducing stress

• getting regular exercise.

Folic Acid

When you start trying for a baby or learn that you’re pregnant, folic acid is essential, as it’s a B vitamin that helps reduce the risk of certain birth defects that affect the baby’s brain and spine. Your GP can recommend a prenatal vitamin that contains at least 400 micrograms of folic acid.

Eliminating Bad Habits

Pre-pregnancy is also a great time to eliminate some less healthy habits, too, including

• smoking

• exposure to second-hand smoke

• drinking alcohol.

In addition, your GP may recommend limiting your daily consumption of caffeine. Consult your GP to learn the best ways to stay healthy and safe when you’re pregnant.

1 to 3 Weeks Pregnant: Your Checklist

This exciting time brings with it many responsibilities and things to consider. For a little help on your journey, check out our simple list of to-dos:

□ Even if you’ve already taken one, you might want to take another home pregnancy test after your missed period for the best results.

□ Schedule an appointment with your GP to confirm your pregnancy with a blood test.

□ Check out our pregnancy calendar to find out what to expect throughout your pregnancy journey.

□ It’s still way too early to find out your baby’s gender, but you can still have some (completely unscientific) fun with our Chinese Gender Predictor!

_{How We Wrote This Article The information in this article is based on the expert advice found in trusted medical and government sources, such as the National Health Service (NHS). You can find a full list of sources used for this article below. The content on this page should not replace professional medical advice. Always consult medical professionals for full diagnosis and treatment.}