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Pregnancy · 5 min

The first weeks of pregnancy, gently

Week numbers start before many people know. Care, not content, is the source of truth.

Dating a pregnancy

Clinicians often date pregnancy from the last menstrual period, which is why “week 4” can be the week of a missed period. An estimated due date is a midpoint, not an appointment with the baby.

Early care

Call a clinician or midwife after a positive test to discuss vitamins, medications, warning signs, and prenatal care. Nausea, breast tenderness, and fatigue are common; severe pain or bleeding needs a same-day call.

Sources

  1. National Health Service (UK). Pregnancy due date calculator. NHS.
  2. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Committee Opinion: Methods for Estimating the Due Date. ACOG, 2017.
  3. Mayo Clinic Staff. Symptoms of pregnancy: What happens first. Mayo Clinic, 2024.
  4. National Health Service (UK). Signs and symptoms that might mean you're pregnant. NHS.

Educational information for general awareness. This article has not been individually reviewed by a clinician for you, and it is not medical advice.