Symptoms, Baby Development, Tips And Body Changes

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Y o u must h a v e missed y o u r period a n d done a pregnancy t e s t . The t e s t showed p o s i t i v e , and w h e n you c o u n t you r e a l i z e that y o u have a l r e a d y covered t h r e e weeks o f pregnancy!

N o w , you a r e in t h e fourth w e e k , and b y this t i m e , your b o d y is u n d e r g o i n g changes w i t h new h o r m o n a l secretions.

M o m J u n c t i o n tells y o u about t h e size o f your b a b y , their d e v e l o p m e n t , your p r e g n a n c y symptoms a n d the c a r e you n e e d to t a k e in t h e fourth w e e k of p r e g n a n c y .

H o w Many M o n t h s Is 4 Weeks Pregnancy?

I f you a r e four w e e k s pregnant, t h e n it m e a n s you a r e in t h e first t r i m e s t e r and a b o u t to c o m p l e t e one m o n t h of p r e g n a n c y . In a d d i t i o n to a missed p e r i o d , your b o d y begins t o send o t h e r signs o f pregnancy b y now.

W h a t Are T h e Symptoms O f The F o u r t h Week Pregnancy?

H e r e are t h e symptoms y o u may e x p e r i e n c e during t h i s week:

Bloating
M i l d cramping a n d spotting i f implantation o f the e m b r y o takes p l a c e in t h i s week
M o r n i n g sickness a n d nausea
F a t i g u e and s l e e p i n e s s
T e n d e r n e s s of b r e a s t s and f u l l e r breasts a s they s t a r t to p r e p a r e for m i l k production
F r e q u e n t urination
E m o t i o n a l changes s u c h as a n x i e t y and m o o d swings

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S y m p t o m s of t w i n pregnancy:

T h e symptoms o f a t w i n pregnancy a r e the s a m e as t h o s e of a singleton p r e g n a n c y . However, t h e intensity o f symptoms s u c h as n a u s e a , urge t o urinate, e t c . , might b e higher i n a t w i n pregnancy t h a n in a singleton p r e g n a n c y .

M o r e o v e r , the p r e g n a n c y symptoms s t a r t showing u p much e a r l i e r than i n the s i n g l e t o n pregnancy.

T h e s e symptoms m e a n that y o u r baby h a s begun g r o w i n g inside.

H o w Big I s Y o u r Baby In T h e Fourth W e e k ?

Y o u r baby i s in i t s embryonic s t a g e . By t h i s week, t h e embryo m e a s u r e s around 0 . 0 4 i n (1.02mm) i n length a n d about t h e size o f a s e s a m e seed ( 1 ) .

A s it i s the e a r l y stage o f your b a b y ’ s development, l e t ’ s see h o w the e m b r y o is d e v e l o p i n g inside t h e womb.

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H o w Is T h e Baby G r o w i n g Inside Y o u ?

O n c e the e m b r y o attaches t o the u t e r i n e lining, i t starts p r o d u c i n g a h o r m o n e called h u m a n chorionic g o n a d o t r o p i n (hCG). T h i s hormone m a i n t a i n s the e n d o m e t r i u m lining a n d signals t h e ovary n o t to r e l e a s e any m o r e eggs f o r the c o m i n g months ( 2 ) .

T h e embryo c o m p r i s e s three l a y e r s ectoderm, m e s o d e r m , and e n d o d e r m that l a t e r form t h e organs a n d the t i s s u e s of t h e baby’s b o d y . Their f u n c t i o n s are d e s c r i b e d below ( 3 ) :

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T h e ectoderm ( o u t e r layer) i s responsible f o r the f o r m a t i o n of n e r v o u s system a n d brain, s k i n , nails, h a i r , sweat g l a n d s , ears, m a m m a r y glands, a n d teeth e n a m e l .

T h e mesoderm ( m i d d l e layer) f o r m s the c i r c u l a t o r y system, h e a r t , connective t i s s u e s , urogenital s y s t e m , skeleton, a n d the m u s c l e s .

T h e endoderm ( i n n e r layer) w i l l develop i n t o lungs, r e s p i r a t o r y system, g a s t r o i n t e s t i n a l tract l i n i n g , pancreas, l i v e r , and t h y r o i d .

T w o structures, n a m e l y a m n i o n and y o l k sac, are f o r m e d during t h i s week.

A n amniotic s a c , also c a l l e d amnion, s t a r t s forming t o support a n d cushion y o u r baby. T h i s sac i s filled w i t h amniotic f l u i d that p r o v i d e s a f a v o r a b l e environment f o r the e m b r y o .

T h e yolk s a c is r e s p o n s i b l e for t h e formation o f blood c e l l u l a r components.

A l s o , the o u t e r embryonic m e m b r a n e called c h o r i o n starts f o r m i n g the p l a c e n t a .

H e r e is h o w the o r g a n s are d e v e l o p i n g at t h e initial s t a g e .

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B a b y Development A t 4th w e e k

B o d y organs	D e v e l o p m e n t a l stage
H e a r t (4)	B e g i n s to b e a t at t h e rate o f 105 t o 121 t i m e s / m i n u t e
B l o o d vessels	Bl o o d circulation s t a r t s
L i m b buds (5)	S t a r t appearing
P h a r y n g e a l arches	B e g i n to f o r m the n e c k and h e a d
Forebrain	B e c o m e s prominent
Eyes	B e g i n to a p p e a r

T h e fourth w e e k is p r o b a b l y the f i r s t time y o u see a n OB/GYN b e c a u s e you k n o w you h a v e missed y o u r period. S h e would s u g g e s t you u n d e r g o a f e w tests.

P r e g n a n c y Tests I n This W e e k

H e r e are t h e preliminary t e s t s done i n the f o u r t h week:

P r e g n a n c y test: A p r e g n a n c y kit l o o k s for t h e traces o f hCG i n your u r i n e . This w e e k , the h C G levels i n urine m a y or m a y not b e high e n o u g h for t h e kit t o detect. I f you g e t a n e g a t i v e result b u t still m i s s your p e r i o d , then w a i t for a week a n d do t h e test a g a i n .

A l t e r n a t i v e l y , a b l o o d test c a n confirm y o u r pregnancy i n this w e e k as t h e hCG l e v e l in b l o o d is h i g h by t h i s time.

Ultrasound: Generally, a n ultrasound i s not d o n e in t h i s week a s it s h o w s just t h e gestational s a c . The e m b r y o can b e detected o n l y a f e w weeks a f t e r the f o u r t h week. I n the c a s e of m u l t i p l e pregnancies, t w o distinct g e s t a t i o n a l sacs ( f r a t e r n a l twins) o r multiple e m b r y o s in o n e sac ( i d e n t i c a l twins) a r e visible.

D u r i n g your f i r s t visit t o the d o c t o r , she w i l l prescribe s o m e prenatal v i t a m i n supplements t o balance y o u r intake.

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T i p s For Pregnancy Week 4

H e r e are s o m e tips y o u can f o l l o w to h a v e a h e a l t h y pregnancy:

S c h e d u l e an a p p o i n t m e n t with t h e doctor.

D r i n k a l o t of w a t e r and k e e p yourself h y d r a t e d .

F o l l o w a h e a l t h y diet. E a t foods t h a t are r i c h in v i t a m i n s , minerals, a n d protein. C o n s u m e lean m e a t , cereals, d a i r y products, f r e s h and n a t u r a l foods ( f r u i t s and v e g e t a b l e s ) .

E a t small a n d frequent m e a l s to r e l i e v e morning s i c k n e s s . Nibble s o m e crackles t h a t are r i c h in c a r b o h y d r a t e s .

A v o i d consumption o f caffeine a n d alcohol.

A v o i d fried a n d fatty f o o d s as w e l l as e x c e s s salty a n d sugary f o o d s .

D o not d i e t or f a s t because l a c k of n u t r i e n t s can a f f e c t fetal d e v e l o p m e n t .

T a l k to y o u r partner a b o u t your c o n c e r n s and d i s c o m f o r t s . He w i l l understand w h a t you a r e going t h r o u g h and h e l p you f e e l better.

S t a y connected w i t h family a n d friends f o r emotional s u p p o r t . It c a n keep y o u mentally s t r o n g , especially i f it i s your f i r s t pregnancy.

D o not t a k e any m e d i c a t i o n without d i s c u s s i n g with y o u r doctor. I f you a r e on a n y medication e v e n before g e t t i n g pregnant t h e n tell y o u r doctor a b o u t it.

S u p p l e m e n t s To T a k e During T h e Fourth W e e k Of Pregnancy

I f you h a v e n ’ t yet s t a r t e d on f o l i c acid supplements, y o u need t o begin t h e m now. T h e vitamin i s necessary t o prevent a n y birth d e f e c t s . Taking f o l i c acid i n the r e c o m m e n d e d amounts d u r i n g pregnancy c a n reduce t h e chances o f autism d i s o r d e r s as w e l l as n e u r a l tube d e f e c t s by 5 0 – 7 0 % (6).

Y o u may a l s o need t o take s u p p l e m e n t s for i r o n , calcium, a n d vitamin D , depending o n your b o d y ’ s requirement, w h i c h your d o c t o r will a s s e s s .

I n addition t o the s u p p l e m e n t s , you n e e d to e n h a n c e the n u t r i t i o n a l value o f your d i e t :

H a v e yogurt, c h e e s e , milk, a n d green l e a f y vegetables f o r calcium

E a t chicken, f i s h , meat, i r o n – f o r t i f i e d cereals a n d beans f o r iron

S a l m o n fish a n d milk p r o v i d e you w i t h vitamin D

C o n f i r m a t i o n of p r e g n a n c y brings h a p p i n e s s and n e w – f o u n d zeal i n t o your l i f e . But y o u need t o be a w a r e of t h e possible r i s k s to y o u r pregnancy.

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P o s s i b l e Risks I n The F o u r t h Week O f Pregnancy

I t is n o t necessary t h a t you f a l l in t h e risk z o n e , but i t is g o o d to b e aware o f them.

E c t o p i c pregnancy:

D u r i n g the f o u r t h week, t h e r e is a chance o f an e c t o p i c pregnancy ( 7 ) . It h a p p e n s when t h e fertilized e g g attaches i t s e l f outside t h e uterus a n d not i n s i d e . The p l a c e of i m p l a n t a t i o n can b e the f a l l o p i a n tube, c e r v i x , ovary o r the c o r n u a .

T h e symptoms o f an e c t o p i c pregnancy a r e similar t o those o f normal p r e g n a n c y in t h e initial s t a g e . However, t h e signs g e t distinct a s the w e e k s pass. T h e y include:

H e a v y nausea a n d vomiting
L i g h t vaginal b l e e d i n g
A b d o m i n a l pain a n d cramps
Weakness
P a i n in t h e neck a n d shoulders
R u p t u r e of t h e fallopian t u b e leading t o heavy b l e e d i n g and i m m e n s e pain

2 . Miscarriage:

D u r i n g the f o u r t h week, t h e r e is a risk o f a m i s c a r r i a g e due t o any u n d e r l y i n g health i s s u e s or a n unhealthy l i f e s t y l e . An e a r l y miscarriage c a n occur e v e n before t h e woman k n o w s about h e r pregnancy. A r o u n d 10-20% o f women a r e susceptible t o early m i s c a r r i a g e s (8).

T h e symptoms o f miscarriage i n c l u d e :
B l e e d i n g , brown d i s c h a r g e , bright r e d spotting o r blood c l o t s
T i s s u e s sloughed o f f through t h e vagina
A gush o f pink v a g i n a l fluid
A b d o m i n a l pain o r cramps
E a r l y pregnancy s y m p t o m s disappear s l o w l y
D i z z i n e s s and l i g h t – h e a d e d n e s s

I f you n o t i c e any o f the s y m p t o m s , see y o u r doctor s o o n .

T h e news o f pregnancy b r i n g s along s e v e r a l questions. B e l o w we a n s w e r some o f the m o s t common o n e s .

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F r e q u e n t l y Asked Q u e s t i o n s :

1 . How i s pregnancy c a l c u l a t e d ?

P r e g n a n c y is u s u a l l y counted f r o m your L M P i.e., t h e first d a y of y o u r last m e n s t r u a l period. H o w e v e r , the d o c t o r s use a n obstetric c a l c u l a t o r to e v a l u a t e the i n i t i a l due d a t e . The f u l l term i s around 4 0 weeks. B u t the d e l i v e r y can t a k e place b e t w e e n 38 a n d 40 w e e k s .

2 . What i f I g e t fever a n d cold d u r i n g week 4 ?

I f you c a t c h a c o l d without f e v e r during t h e fourth w e e k , then j u s t stay a t home, t a k e steam a n d have w a r m water a n d herbal t e a .

I n the c a s e of f e v e r , if t h e temperature i s above 3 8 o C , then i t creates a n unfavorable e n v i r o n m e n t for t h e embryonic d e v e l o p m e n t . Therefore, s e e your d o c t o r .

3 . Can a l c o h o l consumption a f f e c t the f e t a l development?

I f taken i n excess a m o u n t s , alcohol c a n adversely a f f e c t the f e t u s . Keep a w a y from a l c o h o l for t h e first f e w weeks o f pregnancy o r a f e w months b e f o r e getting p r e g n a n t .

4 . What i f I g e t a n e g a t i v e result i n the p r e g n a n c y test a t four w e e k s ?

A s mentioned i n the a b o v e context, y o u might g e t a f a l s e negative r e s u l t because t h e hCG l e v e l is s t i l l not d e t e c t a b l e in t h e urine. I n such a case, d o the h o m e pregnancy t e s t again a f t e r few d a y s of m i s s i n g your p e r i o d . If y o u are i n doubt, g e t a b l o o d test d o n e .

5 . Is s e x safe d u r i n g the f o u r t h week?

I t is s a f e to h a v e sex d u r i n g this w e e k as i t doesn’t h a r m the e m b r y o . Generally, m a n y women m i g h t not b e aware o f pregnancy u n l e s s they m i s s their p e r i o d and t a k e a p r e g n a n c y test.

Y o u r pregnancy h a s just b e g u n . You a r e likely t o see s e v e r a l ups a n d downs t h r o u g h your j o u r n e y until t h e delivery. Y o u are e l a t e d about t h e development b u t at t h e same t i m e exhausted. T h e r e f o r e , eat h e a l t h y , be a c t i v e , keep a w a y from n e g a t i v e emotions a n d take c a r e of y o u r s e l f .

D o you w a n t to s h a r e your p r e g n a n c y experience w i t h other r e a d e r s ? Write t o us i n the c o m m e n t section b e l o w .

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