Your changing body
Third week is the time when the Sperm comes into contact with the egg inside the Fallopian Tube following sexual intercourse and fertilization happens resulting in Embryo formation. This is the beginning of the pregnancy.
During implantation of the embryo, some women may experience spotting because of the movement of the fertilized egg into the Uterus. To prevent your body from treating the baby as an invader, your body releases an immunosuppressant protein called early pregnancy factor (EPF).
You might start experiencing clear signs of pregnancy in week 4. You may miss your periods and a pregnancy urine test carried out at home would probably be positive and a visit to your obstetrician would confirm this. You may also exhibit some of the early pregnancy symptoms such as breast tenderness, headache, backache, abdominal cramps and pains. You start feeling tired easily, urinate more frequently and may experience mood swings. In majority cases, women feel nauseated and feel like vomiting.
During this time, the amniotic cavity gets filled with fluid along with the formation of Placenta that brings oxygen and nutrients to your baby. |
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Your growing baby
Though you have not yet missed your period, your baby is growing inside of you. At week 3, your baby is an Embryo consisting of a ball of Cells that is rapidly multiplying and expanding and is as big as the size of the eye of a sewing pin. The outer layer of ball of Cells becomes the placenta, and the inner layer will become the Embryo. This is also the time when the gender of the baby is determined.
At week 4, your baby grows fast and the size will be around 1 mm and looks like a tiny tadpole. When the Fetus gets implanted onto the uterine lining, it will stay there in the safe environs for the next 8 months. The vascular system of your 4-week-old baby starts to develop, which help in transportation of blood, oxygen and nutrients from the mother to the baby. The baby’s organ development is also in the earliest stages at this time. The Embryo that has developed from the ball of Cells might be the size of an apple kernel.
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Things to consider
The first few weeks of pregnancy is a highly crucial period for the baby’s well-being, development and health. Any exposure to harmful substances during pregnancy week 4 or later in the first Trimester is most likely to cause damage to or harm your developing Fetus. So as an expectant mother, you must try and avoid all toxic substances. It is advisable to avoid alcoholic drinks, smoking and consumption of certain medicines and drugs. You should inform your healthcare practitioner if you are exposed to any potentially hazardous substances that might affect your baby’s development.
If you have not begun an exercise routine, check with your healthcare provider to see what he/she recommends. Even if you already have a routine, you might want to read about exercise during pregnancy. To read more about exercising during pregnancy, click here.
Tip for weeks 3 and 4
Eat healthy. Include foods from the five main food groups. Try including plenty of vegetables, greens and fruits in the diet. Do not miss out on proteins and water. |
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