Hi there! I'm Dr. Sarah, an OB-GYN with over 10 years of experience. I'm here to help guide you through the exciting, and sometimes confusing, journey of pregnancy.

Let's talk about your question about signs of pregnancy at one week. Technically speaking, we don't usually use the term "1 week pregnant." Here's why: pregnancy is typically dated from the first day of your last menstrual period (LMP), not from the date of conception. Since ovulation (when the egg is released) usually happens about two weeks after the start of your period, actual fertilization and the beginning of a pregnancy occur closer to week two or three.

However, I understand you're eager to know if your body might be giving you any hints this early on. While you won't experience the more obvious signs of pregnancy in the very first week after your period, there are some subtle changes that might happen around the time of ovulation or shortly after:

* Basal Body Temperature (BBT) Increase: If you've been tracking your BBT (your temperature at complete rest), you might notice a slight increase around the time you ovulate. This increase is due to progesterone, a hormone that rises after ovulation. If you become pregnant, your BBT will typically stay elevated.

* Cervical Mucus Changes: Around ovulation, cervical mucus often becomes clear, slippery, and stretchy, resembling egg whites. This change helps sperm travel to the egg. After ovulation, the mucus typically becomes thicker and less noticeable. However, if you conceive, you might continue to have more cervical mucus than usual.

* Light Spotting or Cramping: Some women experience light spotting or cramping around the time of implantation, which is when the fertilized egg attaches to the uterine lining. This typically happens about 6 to 12 days after ovulation. Implantation bleeding is usually much lighter than a period.

**It's really important to remember that these signs are not exclusive to pregnancy.** They could be related to other factors like stress, changes in diet, or upcoming menstruation.

**The most reliable way to confirm pregnancy is through a pregnancy test** which detects the hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). HCG is produced only during pregnancy and usually becomes detectable in urine about 10-14 days after conception.

If you think you might be pregnant, the best thing to do is wait until you've missed your period and then take a home pregnancy test. If the test is positive, schedule an appointment with your doctor or midwife to confirm the pregnancy and begin prenatal care.

I hope this information is helpful! Please don't hesitate to reach out if you have more questions.

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