WHEN YOU ARE 4 WEEKS PREGNANT

You may have missed your period and experienced some of the early symptoms of pregnancy like fatigue, nausea, breast discomfort and more. As all of these little signs are developing, you may begin to suspect that you are pregnant. But if you’re still not certain whether or not you have conceived, now would be the perfect to confirm! By the time you’re 4 weeks pregnant, your urine pregnancy test will show a clear positive result.

 

Body Changes at 4 Weeks Pregnant

At 4 weeks pregnant, the egg is now implanted in the wall of your uterus and has become an embryo. Your body is now beginning the amazing changes that will take place in the next 36 weeks of your life. These changes are reflected outwardly as pregnancy symptoms. These are some signs to watch out for when you are 4 weeks pregnant;

Pelvic Cramp: This often feels like a menstrual cramp, and it is as a result of your uterus now being home to your fertilized egg.

Fatigue: This is usually due to the increase in the blood production of your body. As your body is trying to grow the new little life inside of you, you will feel tired more often.

Tender breast: Your breast will feel tender and sensitive due to increase in the blood flowing directly to your breast and your heart beating faster to cope with the baby inside you.

Nausea: This is believed to be caused by the extra hormones being secreted in your body. And it is more common in the morning.

Frequent urination: This is due to the pressure of the baby on your bladder.

Your Baby’s Development

At 4 weeks pregnant, your baby is 1 mm long and about the size of a poppy seed. If your egg was successfully fertilized, it’s now traveling to your uterus and is attaching to the inner lining where it will become an embryo. The amniotic sac, which will house and guide your baby, is now present, as well as the yolk sac which will provide red blood cells and nutrients until the placenta takes over. When this happens, your baby becomes attached to the placenta by the umbilical cord. During your pregnancy, the placenta will serve as the baby’s source of nutrients, blood, and oxygen. It also helps to dispose waste from your baby’s body.  

When you are 4 weeks pregnant, your baby now consist of three cells which are the ectoderm, endoderm, and mesoderm; these cells help to form your baby’s skin, skeleton and internal organs. The neural tube also forms within the first 4-6 weeks of pregnancy, and this will later develop into the brain and spinal cord.

4 Weeks Pregnancy Tips

Eat Healthy

Try to maintain a balanced and balanced diet, and always keep in mind that you are now ‘eating for two’ so be mindful of what goes into your belly. Also, try to avoid smoking and drinking, it's not safe for the baby.

Exercise Regularly

Keeping fit during pregnancy helps improve your health and that of your baby. Always include some extra physical activity to your day, and if you love to hit the gym, be sure to keep your doctor informed on the types and duration of exercise to do as your pregnancy progresses. 

Take Vitamins

Due to the extra blood which your body is producing, you become prone to anemia at 4 weeks pregnant. Taking iron vitamins helps prevent anemia and reduces fatigue. Folic acid has been proven to decrease the risk of certain congenital disabilities that accompany the first weeks of pregnancy; it’s recommended that pregnant women take prenatal vitamins which contain at least 27mg of iron and 1mg of folic acid daily.

  If you found this helpful, visit http://www.manyweekspregnant.com/4-weeks-pregnant/ for more information on when you are 4 weeks pregnant.