Week 3: We Have Conception!

Your Baby This Week

Congratulations! Conception has occurred!

Your egg was fertilized in your fallopian tube, and within three to seven days, the resulting embryo made its way to your uterus, attached to the lining, and began to grow.

Fertilization:







Baby's First Cells, the "Morula":



The time period from conception through week eight is called the "embryonic stage." At this point your "baby" is a group of cells (about the size of a head of a pin), forged into a circular shape.

Your baby would be visible to the naked eye if he or she weren't safely inside you. You may be surprised to learn that even at this early stage, your baby already knows if it is a boy or a girl, as sex is determined during fertilization. But for now, it's baby's secret! You won't know until his or her genitals start to develop, somewhere near the end of your first trimester.

Your Body This Week

You most likely won't see or feel any changes yet - at least not any that can be measured by any test. However, for centuries many women have reported that they can not only "feel" when they are pregnant, but many also claim that they know the exact moment conception took place.

Some women notice a small amount of bleeding when the fertilized egg implants into the uterine cavity.

So, if you do feel a little different than usual, don't be surprised! You soon could be experiencing your first signs and symptoms of pregnancy.

These include:

• missed menstruation
• food aversions and/or cravings
• metallic taste in your mouth
• fatigue
• frequent urination
• nausea (and/or vomiting)
• breast sensitivity
• pelvic sensitivity

3 Minerals Your Body Needs

A well-balanced collection of vitamins and minerals is more important than ever right now. But 3 minerals in particular stand above the rest--iron, zinc and calcium. For strong, healthy development of your baby, these are absolute musts. It may not be as hard as you think to get enough of these minerals. Just try to eat more dairy, meat and poultry, or take a supplement if necessary. Learn how to make sure you're getting enough of these essential minerals and others.

The Mind-Body-Spirit Connection

As you enter the earliest stages of pregnancy, you'll quickly notice that you're growing more in tune with your body and the changes it's going through. As this process prepares you physically, mentally and emotionally for motherhood, you can take advantage of several exercise options that enhance this awareness and holistic connection. Swimming, pilates and yoga are just three types of workouts that build endurance and strength while helping your whole being adjust to the coming months. Learn more about the exercises that you can do during pregnancy.