It’s your 4th week of the first trimester, and your little bean is now growing. At this stage, your little bean is called a zygote. It looks like a ball of 32 cells. During this time, you can confirm that you are officially pregnant or not if you are. Yay! Congratulation on your little bean! If you aren’t, wait for a few more days to confirm it with a urine pregnancy test. Do not fret, as, in your stage of pregnancy, the doctor may not schedule any ultrasound until you reach your 8th to 12th week of pregnancy. Now, let’s find out more about your fetus when you are 4 weeks pregnant.

First Trimester: 4 weeks Pregnant

Growth Progress?

This week marks the beginning of the embryonic period. From now until ten weeks, all of your baby’s organs will begin to develop, and some will even start to function. As a result, this is the time when she’ll be most vulnerable to anything that might interfere with her development.

Right now, your baby is an embryo the size of a poppy seed, consisting of two layers which are the epiblast and the hypoblast, from all of their organs and body parts will develop.

Four weeks: Your baby is the size of a poppy seed

The primitive placenta is also made up of two layers at this point. Its cells are tunnelling into the lining of your uterus, creating spaces for your blood to flow so that the developed placenta will be able to provide nutrients and oxygen to your growing baby when it starts to function at the end of this week.

The amniotic sac will be your little bean home for now. The amniotic fluid, which will cushion them and grows. The yolk sac, which produces your baby’s red blood cells and helps deliver nutrients to them until the placenta has developed and is ready to take over this duty.

What Are the Changes When You Are 4 Weeks Pregnant?

Amniotic sac: By next week, this cavity will envelop the embryo and continue to house your baby throughout your pregnancy.

Embryo: All of your baby’s organs and body parts will develop from the two layers of cells that now make up the embryo: the epiblast and the hypoblast.

Your Plan For The Week?

Perform a urine pregnancy test. If is it negative you could either wait for another week and ask your doctor to do a blood test to detect the pregnancy hormone called B-HCG.
You should already be taking a multivitamin that contains at least 400 micrograms (mcg) of folic acid. Once you’re pregnant, you’ll need a bit more — 600 mcg a day — so switch to a prenatal vitamin if you haven’t already.
You should see the doctor reconfirm your pregnancy.
Don’t forget to consider a certified nurse-midwife in case anything happens.

4 Weeks Pregnancy Symptoms

Bloated stomach – expect a bit of bloating, particularly in your abdomen as your body is preparing itself for a rapidly growing fetus for the next several months.
Light bleeding or spotting – this spotting is called implantation bleeding, which is normal for some women. However, if there’s a lot of blood and it lasts longer than two days, immediately go to the nearest clinic.
Breast tenderness – just like your abdomen, your breasts are starting to prepare for the arrival of the baby, as the number of milk glands increases and the fat later thickens, which causes your breast to enlarge.
Moody – during this week, you may be easily triggered and encounter many wild shifts. A message to the husband: please be prepared and be extra patient with your wife during this trimester.
Morning sickness – some mother may experience morning sickness. Even the condition varies from one woman to another; as some may experience mild nausea and some, vomiting.
Fatigue – this is a normal part of the pregnancy. Don’t be surprised if you are feeling exhausted, tired and fatigued most of the time as your body is preparing to support your little one.

Other than that, you better be prepared as you could lose interest in something you love, such as your favourite food could become your worst enemy when you are 4 weeks pregnant. Weird pregnancy craving is always a thing for you.

Want to know what happens on the 5th week of the first trimester? Stay tuned for it as we will posting that soon. While you are waiting for it, make sure to check out Motherhood.com.my for every baby needs you will need on our online shop!