LioraBump

Pregnancy guide

Pregnancy week 1: How pregnancy weeks are counted

Week 1: how pregnancy weeks are counted. Evidence-informed information to help you prepare questions for your maternity team.

Educational health content
LioraBump provides educational pregnancy and baby development information only. It does not replace advice from a doctor, midwife, paediatrician, or other qualified healthcare professional. If you have urgent concerns, seek medical help immediately.

Baby development

Week 1 is counted from the first day of your last period, before conception has happened.

Your body

You may be having a period or preparing to try for a baby.

Care this week

Start folic acid before pregnancy if possible and book a GP or preconception discussion for medicines or long-term conditions.

Partner support

Ask what would feel useful this week, take one practical task without being asked, and support any decision to contact the maternity team.

Checklist

  • Notice what is changing without comparing your pregnancy to anyone else's.
  • Add one question or symptom pattern to your next-appointment notes.
  • Make time for food, fluids and rest in a way that works for you.
  • Check that a partner or trusted person knows how to reach the maternity unit.

Questions for your maternity team

  • - Is this symptom or change something you want me to monitor?
  • - What should I expect before my next appointment?
  • - Who should I contact outside normal hours if I am worried?
Warning signs: Call your maternity unit, GP, NHS 111 or emergency services as appropriate if you have bleeding, severe or persistent pain, fluid leaking, fever, chest pain, breathing difficulty, severe headache or visual changes, or anything that feels wrong. Once you know your baby's usual movement pattern, call promptly for reduced or changed movements; do not wait until the next day.

Information sources

This guide is based on UK NHS public guidance. Your own maternity team's advice always takes priority.