4 Weeks Pregnant

Changes in Your Baby at 4 Weeks Pregnant

The baby at 4 weeks Pregnant is so small that it is even hard to comprehend the size. The length of the baby at this point is about .04 inches long which is equivalent to ½ to 1 mm long. At 4 weeks pregnant the baby does begin to change slowly and probably resembles a small tadpole with eyes instead of an egg. This is still an amazing transformation.

During pregnancy Week 4 your baby will begin furiously implanting into the uterine lining to secure a safe place to live for the next nine months. The fetal development is still in the earliest stages, but at this point the blastocyst or ball of cells which is your baby is embedding deeper into the uterus lining. Also the amniotic cavity is forming along with the placenta.

Week by week during pregnancy you will continue to grow and expand while the placenta will nourish and support the baby during the nine months of pregnancy. The placenta consists of vascular networks and blood from your body that will help transport oxygen and nutrients to the fetus. Several different layers of cells are developing in the 4th week of pregnancy which will develop into the baby's organs, body parts, and other layers of cells that will form the brain as a part of the nervous system.

The beginning of the embryonic period is considered a part of Week 4 of Pregnancy.Since your baby's organs start developing during these critical weeks of early pregnancy it is important to prevent exposure to harmful substances. During pregnancy week 4 or later in the first trimester exposure to harmful substances is highly likely to cause harm or even damage to the developing fetus. So it is very important during this stage to do everything you can to avoid exposure to any potential toxins or pollutants. If you feel you have been exposed during this period to anything potentially hazardous that might affect your baby's development you should call your healthcare practitioner immediately.

Probably the most common substances that are implicated in fetal deformities and malformations are alcohol and tobacco. However, any type of substance abuse can be harmful to the unborn fetus. Talk to your healthcare provider if you have any addiction so they can help you determine the best way to proceed. They will likely direct you to some type of support group so you can change your habits at this very important time in your life.

Changes in Your Body at 4 Weeks Pregnant

By the end of 4 weeks pregnant at a time you would expect your period, if it doesn’t arrive, there is a high probability that you might be pregnant.

In the early weeks of pregnancy, even before the placenta is fully formed, there is an area formed in your ovary called the corpus luteum. It is generally developed at the site where your egg is released from the follicle. The corpus luteum is believed to produce hormones that supports your pregnancy during the early weeks of pregnancy. Later in your pregnancy the placenta, by week 12, will begin to produce the majority of hormones needed for you to carry your pregnancy.

Feeling a little tired during 4 weeks pregnant is one of the signs that may actually help you realize some changes are taking place in your body. And why shouldn't you feel tired with all the amazing work your body is performing to support your new baby? Many of the symptoms during week 4 are likened by many women as the same way they feel around the time of menstruation. Realistically at 4 weeks pregnant you experience nothing other than some menstrual symptoms. Believe it or not but some women cramp badly during this time and are positive they are getting their period only to find out a week or so later that they are pregnant.

A home pregnancy test will help a lot of women find out whether or not they are pregnant by the 4th week. If you take a test and find out that you are pregnant, you should call your healthcare provider to set up your first prenatal visit. Chances are they won't see you for a few weeks, but it is important to schedule your visit anyway. They can also prescribe a prenatal vitamin if you are not taking one. Be sure that the vitamin that you are taking contains 1 mg of folic acid. This is a very important key to your baby’s growth.

Don't be deterred if you get a negative reading on a home pregnancy test because some women don't produce enough pregnancy hormones right away to be detected by a standard test to detect pregnancy. So give it a little time!

There are several factors involved in how long it takes to get pregnant. Stress is a big hindrance to pregnancy. Some women find that as soon as they stop trying to get pregnant it actually happens. The body is a very complex machine and stress along with even the smallest things can influence your ability to function normally. Consider some yoga or other meditative practices to help you remain calm.

Time is usually all it takes to get pregnant and most practitioners will not consider infertility a problem unless you have been trying for more than a year to get pregnant with no results. Then at that time your healthcare provider might suggest some special tests to determine what if any obstacles might be hindering your success in getting pregnant.

Symptoms of pregnancy at 4 weeks pregnant may mimic your menstrual symptoms of nausea, bloating and cramping. If your period is late then you might want to repeat a pregnancy test.

Read next about your baby's growth, as well as the changes in your body at 5 weeks pregnant.