Pregnancy at 4 weeks - What to expect, Things to do and avoid
Pregnancy at 4 weeks - Symptoms, Ultrasound, Embryo Development, What to expect, Things to do & to avoid
At 4 weeks of pregnancy, your baby is a collection of cells called Blastocyst. If you are 4 weeks pregnant it means you are 1 month pregnant. You may be excited or may not be feeling anything different for now. If you got positive pregnancy results then celebrate this news with your partner and call your doctor to schedule your first prenatal visit. We're here with all the details of pregnancy at 4 weeks. Read this article to know more about your pregnancy at 4 weeks.
Pregnancy at 4 weeks symptoms
The pregnancy hormones are responsible for the pregnancy symptoms. Some of the pregnancy symptoms at 4 weeks are described below :1. Missed Period at 4 weeks of pregnancy
When implantation is done then your body started producing a hormone which is known as HCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin) and then your ovaries will stop releasing mature eggs every month and you'll miss your period. Then you can take a pregnancy test at home. This test will detect the levels of HCG hormones in your urine and will give a positive result if you're pregnant. HCG hormones take about 7 to 14 days after conception to reach a level that can be detected in a pregnancy test. So, take a pregnancy test after a week of missed period.
(Also read: 12 early signs that you might be pregnant)
2. Morning Sickness at 4 weeks of pregnancy
Almost 70 to 90% of women experience morning sickness with nausea and vomiting especially in the first trimester of pregnancy. The level of estrogen hormones rises rapidly during early pregnancy which leads to nausea and vomiting.3. Sore & Tender Breasts at 4 weeks of pregnancy
At 4 weeks of pregnancy, you may feel your breasts swollen and tender which generally happens due to the variations in certain hormones. You may feel pain in your breasts at this time which will go away after a few weeks when your body will adjust to those rapidly rising hormones. Wear a supportive cotton bra to avoid any discomfort.4. Mild Cramping at 4 weeks of pregnancy
Many of the women feel abdominal cramping during early pregnancy. This cramping is similar to the menstrual period. Mild cramping or pain at 4 weeks the pregnancy is normal as it is an indication that fertilized egg has implanted properly into the wall of your uterus. But if you are suffering from severe cramping or pain then tell to your doctor.
(Also read: What to expect at 6 weeks of pregnancy?)
5. Spotting at 4 weeks of pregnancy
Spotting is also known as Implantation Bleeding which occurs when a fertilized egg attaches itself to the uterus wall. This bleeding or spotting is slightly lighter in color than a normal menstrual period and it does not last for long. Around 30-40% of women experience implantation bleeding as the blastocyst begins to attach to the womb.6. Fatigue at 4 weeks of pregnancy
At four weeks of pregnancy, your body is working hard to grow those tiny cells into an embryo. So, sometimes you may feel fatigued or tired. Take some rest and eat healthy foods.7. Constipation & Bloating at 4 weeks of pregnancy
Constipation or Bloating is also a common symptom during early pregnancy. It causes the rising levels of progesterone hormones. Drink plenty of water and eat lots of fiber to avoid constipation, gas, or bloating.8. Frequent urination at 4 weeks of pregnancy
The variations in certain hormones produce more urine during pregnancy. The uterus also expands and puts more pressure on the bladder which causes more urine production than usual.Pregnancy at 4 weeks ultrasound
At 4 weeks pregnant a tiny dot which is known as Gestational Sac can be seen in an ultrasound. If you're pregnant with twins then you may be able to see them in 4 weeks ultrasound. Usually, an ultrasound is done at 8 weeks of pregnancy. If you visited the hospital at 4 weeks it's quite possible that you wouldn't have an ultrasound yet. You have to wait for your first ultrasound a few weeks more. Yes, your doctor will take another urine test or blood test to confirm your pregnancy. If you have no risk of pregnancy complications then there is no need to be seen by the doctor just yet. You can tell your doctor about your positive pregnancy result then she'll make your first prenatal appointment after a few weeks around 7 or 8 weeks of your pregnancy.
Embryo Development at 4 weeks pregnant
The fertilized egg is divided into layers of cells and become an embryo at 4 weeks of pregnancy. The embryo consists of two layers of cells called Epiblast and Hypoblast. These cells will grow into different parts of your baby's body.During 4 weeks of pregnancy the ball of cells already settled in your uterus and splitter into two groups :
One is an embryo (which will become your daughter or son) and another is the placenta (Placenta is the baby's lifeline which channels all the essential nutrients to the baby and carries away the waste until delivery). At 4 weeks the amniotic sac or gestational sac (also known as the bag of water that will cushion your baby throughout the pregnancy) will form around the embryo which keeps the embryo protected with fluid. Your baby gets nourishment from a yolk sac which is attached to the embryo until the placenta takes over in a few weeks which usually happens around 12 weeks of pregnancy.
(Also read: Baby development at 8 weeks of pregnancy)
The neural tube, spine, brain, nervous system, and backbone also begin forming. Your baby's heart and nervous system are also developing and it has some of its own blood vessels in which blood starting to circulate. A string of these blood vessels connects you to your baby which will become the Umbilical cord. The outer cells links with the blood supply of the mother and the inner cells are divided into two and later into three layers. There are three distinct layers of cells at 4 weeks of pregnancy that will grow into different parts of the baby's body. The three of the layers are given below :
- Endoderm
The endoderm is the inner layer that will become the digestive system, breathing system, including the liver, lungs, stomach, and bladder of your baby.
- Mesoderm
The mesoderm is the middle layer that will become your baby's sex organs, heart, kidneys, blood vessels, bones, and muscles.
- Ectoderm
Ectoderm is the outer layer that will form your baby's nervous system, skin, hair, nails, tooth enamel, and eyes.HCG at 4 weeks pregnant
The normal HCG levels should range between 5 - 426 mIU/mL at 4 weeks of pregnancy.Baby Size at 4 weeks
At 4 weeks your baby is a collection of cells which is known as Blastocyst. It's about the size of a poppy seed yet and around 1 to 2 mm in length. At the end of 4 weeks, this cell splitter into two parts called embryo and placenta.What to expect at 4 weeks pregnant?
At 4 weeks pregnant it is possible that you may experience some of the symptoms of early pregnancy but as I said earlier that every pregnancy is different. It might be possible that you don't experience any of the pregnancy symptoms at all. Don't get panic if you're not experiencing any of the pregnancy symptoms after getting a positive pregnancy result.
(Also read: Bad habits to avoid during pregnancy)
Things to do at 4 weeks of pregnancy / Pregnancy checklist at 4 weeks
- Make an appointment for your first prenatal visit.
- Start taking prenatal vitamins if you're not taking them already.
- Drink plenty of water and keep yourself hydrated.
- Exercise regularly to keep your body and baby healthy.
- Eat healthy and nutritious food.
Things to avoid at 4 weeks of pregnancy
- Avoid alcohol and smoking.
- Don't eat uncooked or unhygienic food.
- Limit the amount of caffeine intake.
Also, read other health-related articles :
Disclaimer: This content is intended for general information only and should not be used as the basis of patient treatment. The given content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, treatment, or any diagnosis. Always consult a doctor for more information. Our website doesn't claim responsibility for this information.
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