The fourth week of your pregnancy
Your changing body
You still might not able to recognize that you have conceived and are carrying a developing baby in your womb. However, by the end of this week, some of the tests can help confirm that you are pregnant. By taking the home pregnancy test or in the doctor’s office, preferably at the end of this week or the beginning of the next, you can get a confirmatory result. If the results are positive, plan your first antenatal visit if you have any unusual symptoms or have experienced a Miscarriage in the past or have any chronic medical condition such as Diabetes or epilepsy.
The fourth week of pregnancy is the beginning of the embryonic period and the developing baby is exposed to and is vulnerable to any substance that you may take in (knowingly or unknowingly).
Your growing baby
During the embryonic period (from week 4 to week 14), all of the baby’s organs start to develop and some of them also begin functioning. Therefore, your developing baby is very vulnerable to the effect of any substance (medicine, environmental and even food) to which he or she is exposed.
The baby inside your womb, the size of a poppy seed, is an Embryo composed of two layers - the epiblast and the hypoblast - from which will develop all the parts of his body. The placenta, which is in its primitive form, is also made up of two layers. The Cells of the Placenta are now channeling in to the Uterus to allow blood to flow and supply nutrients and oxygen when the Placenta develops completely and starts to function.
The amniotic sac, fluid and the yolk sac have now come into existence. The baby is housed in the amniotic sac, cushioned by the Amniotic Fluid within while the yolk sac produces red blood Cells and delivers nutrients till the Placenta begins its job. Tips for the fourth week of pregnancy: If you have a feeling that you are pregnant, it is best to avoid taking any medicines, prescription or OTC, and to confirm that you are pregnant.
If you have a chronic medical problem, seek the advice of your doctor after informing him/her of your pregnancy.
Supplements to be taken during the fourth week of pregnancy
Up the amount of Folic acid that you might have been taking from 400 micrograms to 600 micrograms per day.
Common problems in the fourth week of pregnancy
Though you may have any of the following problems, these are usually mild and are the early signs of pregnancy: fatigue, tiredness, mild nausea, tender breasts, frequent urination, bloating, aversion to different odors, metallic taste in the mouth, sleep problems.
Common tests in the fourth week of pregnancy
Blood tests.
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