If it comes out positive and its confirmed that you are at pregnancy week 4. Congratulations! If not, do not worry. It is still early and a home pregnancy test kit can give you a negative when you check too early. Wait a few days and take another one.
Your Baby at 4 Weeks Pregnant
Your baby has moved from the fallopian tubes to the uterus which will be its home for the next 36 weeks. At 4 weeks, implantation to the uterus wall has occurred and the umbilical cord and placenta are beginning to form.
Your baby has transformed to the form of a blastocyst at the fourth week of pregnancy. This is a ball of rapidly multiplying cells of an embryo mostly filled with fluid at this point. Your baby is now around 3mm long and the size of a maize seed.
Your Changing Body at Pregnancy Week 4
At week 4 of pregnancy, your body is changing rapidly to accommodate the new developments. Highlights of this week will include a missed period, early signs of pregnancy, and possible spotting from implantation.
Early Signs Showing You’re Pregnant at 4 Weeks
If you are anticipating it, you will begin to see very mild signs that there’s a little human being growing inside you. These signs include:
- Tender breasts
- Sensitive nipples
- Mild abdominal cramps
- Mood swings
- Morning nausea and vomiting
Some women, however, have no symptoms at all at this point which is totally normal.
Around the time you were supposed to have your period, you may notice some light spotting/ light bleeding during pregnancy. This is known as implantation bleeding and shouldn’t be a cause for alarm.
As soon as you find out that you are pregnant is the ideal time to start taking folic acid and other supplements your doctor might recommend. During pregnancy, folic acid prevents your baby from developing spinal and neural birth defects. These defects occur in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy meaning these first weeks are crucial.
This week’s tip: While your partner may be supportive, it is a good idea to also seek support of other pregnant women or women who are already mothers. Malaica’s antenatal care includes a private online support group of mums-to-be sharing similar pregnancy experiences.
Related: WhatsApp Mum Groups: Helpful or Overwhelming?
Get Personalized Antenatal Care at Malaica
When you find out you’re pregnant, it’s recommended to speak with a healthcare expert as soon as possible. Your doctor will advise you on the best ways to take care of yourself and ensure and empowering pregnancy journey through healthy nutrition, supplements, moving your body, building a support village, and so on. If you have had a high risk pregnancy in the past, you should also see a medical practitioner now.
Schedule an antenatal appointment with Malaica maternity care team for personalized medical care from when you walk into our doors until post natal.
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See Next: Pregnancy Week 5: Signs, Baby Development, and Your Changing Body