Cha-cha-cha-changes! Your body is now producing enough of the hCG pregnancy hormone to be detected by a home pregnancy test.
When using a home test, it is best to take it first thing in the morning when your urine is the most concentrated. Tests read positive when they detect hCG in urine (which becomes detectable 10 days after conception). If you drink tons of water before taking a test you can receive a false negative.
As the fertilized egg implants itself into your uterus, it begins to further divide into more and more layers of cells. These layers will grow into all the different parts of your baby, skin, nervous system, organs, 10 adorable little toes, you get the idea.
The placenta is beginning to form. This new organ will become your baby’s own little house inside your uterus. Providing oxygen, nutrients and blood flow throughout the coming months. Amniotic fluid is already forming inside the yolk sac that contains baby. It creates a cushion for baby to float in.
Baby is weighing in at a whopping 0.04in long right now! Grow baby grow!!
You may be experiencing some, none or all of the following symptoms: light bleeding or spotting (from implantation), gas or bloating, moodiness, morning sickness, fatigue, breast tenderness. The first trimester can be full of not so fun symptoms while baby is in rapid growth. Building a human is tough work!!

What Now?

Make an appointment with your OB or midwife to confirm pregnancy. Different care providers have different date markers to confirm pregnancy. An internal ultrasound may be able to confirm as early as 6 weeks while some doctors will have you wait until 13 weeks. It may feel like a long time when you just want to be sure little baby is thriving.
Time to tell your significant other and/or close family/friends. Pregnancy is a long journey and you will need support. Before the 13 week mark only sharing the news with those who are close to you is the norm.
Clean up your act! Eating a healthy balance diet and adding in a prenatal with folate is recommended. Cut out smoking and avoid contact secondhand. Eliminate drinking alcohol and illegal drugs. Contact your primary care physician if you are on any medication to make sure it is still advisable to be on them.
And relax mama! Low stress throughout pregnancy is better for both you and baby!


-Catherine Jones