Welcome to your 4th week of pregnancy! You have just completed the first 3 very important weeks of pregnancy!
Your baby is starting to go through some big changes this week. The baby is actually the size of a poppy seed and consists of 2 layers, the epiblast & hypoblast. It doesn't resemble a fetus at all at this stage. But important work is underway! While there is still a lot of growing to do in the months ahead, you baby's body is starting to stretch out and get ready to form basic structures. To make it all happen, the placenta is growing further into the lining of your uterus and expanding to allow blood to carry oxygen and nutrients to your baby. During this time, a yolk sac is providing nourishment while the placenta is getting ready to take over. Also taking place is further development of the amniotic sac which will provide a comfortable cushion for your baby over the months to come.
Mommy may be experiencing some changes this week as well. For many moms-to-be, week four is when they first learn they are pregnant. If your period has not arrived by four weeks, there is a good chance you could be pregnant! It is a good idea to take a test, if you have not already, and see if there are little footsteps in your future. Even before you get a positive pregnancy test, your body may have been giving you signals. It is not unusual to start feeling unusually tired as your body begins to expend energy on your tiny new fetus. You may also begin to feel some nausea as your body begins to change in preparation for the rest of your pregnancy. The degree and types of symptoms you experience may vary, although from the time you discover you are pregnant, there are some important changes to make. You may already be trying to get some more rest if you are feeling fatigued, and that is a great way to start. It is important to start steering clear of alcohol and quitting smoking if you need to, in order to give your baby the best chance at a healthy life. Initially it can be difficult to stay hydrated and eat properly if you are experiencing morning sickness, but stick with it and seek guidance from your medical provider on steps you can take to relieve nausea and keep healthy. For many moms-to-be, it helps to eat a little something as soon as you wake up since nausea is generally worse on an empty stomach. Drier foods like toast may be a good place to start as you learn what foods help more than others. Pregnancy is a period of constant change, so keep trying different foods and routines until you find what works best at keeping you comfortable throughout the day.
