This is day 1 of your menstrual cycle

Today is the first day of your period. If you're trying to conceive this cycle, note down the date.

279 days until your due date

Pregnancy is officially dated from the first day of your last period, even though conception usually happens about two weeks later. Few women know exactly when they ovulate or conceive, but most can remember when their last period started, especially if they're tracking their cycle.

This way of counting is a bit confusing, but it means your body starts preparing for pregnancy from today. In about 280 days, or nine months, you could be holding your baby. Good luck and enjoy the journey.

Time to think about

Having a baby

There's no perfect time to become parents, but a few points are worth keeping in mind:

Money and space matter, but parenting is about much more than what you can provide materially.
The decision belongs to you and your partner, not to family or friends.
You might conceive straight away or it might take months, so relax and don't fix on a target date.

Focus on

Nutrition: Take folic acid

If you haven't already, start a folic acid supplement now, as soon as you begin trying to conceive. It is vital for the baby's development in the first weeks of pregnancy.

The recommended dose is 400 mcg a day. Also eat folate-rich foods: green vegetables (green beans, spinach, broccoli), legumes (peas, beans, chickpeas), fortified cereals, and wheat germ.

As a matter of fact

Conception rates

Only about 1 in 5 couples actively trying to conceive get pregnant in their first cycle.

About three-quarters conceive within six months, so be patient and try not to worry if it doesn't happen straight away.

This is general information based on NHS guidance, not medical advice, and every pregnancy is different. Talk to your midwife or GP about anything that worries you. If your baby's movements slow down or change, or you have bleeding, severe pain or leaking fluid, call your maternity unit straight away. In an emergency, call 999.