4 weeks pregnant

When is 4 weeks pregnant - does it feel? What does the expectant mother feel? There are already a lot of questions at this time. After all, early on is important every day.

Calculations by various methods

When doctors work with pregnant patients, they do not go into the details of ovulation and the day of conception. The gestational age will be calculated by the obstetric method: from the first day of the last menstruation.

The embryonic method considers the period from presumptive ovulation and “lags” by two weeks in comparison with the obstetric period.

Sometimes women consider the period from the moment of delay. Then the fourth week will mean the eighth obstetric or sixth fetal. Easy to get confused? Then it’s better to adhere to a medical point of view. After all, the expectant mother will have to communicate with doctors quite often.

Details about the dates: how to read the terms correctly.

Fetal size: more than one cell

As soon as the sperm fertilizes the egg, rapid division of the zygote begins. If you think about it, it’s a miracle. A single cell forms many others. They are completely different, and their roles are different. And each cell “knows” where it is and what to do.

If there is a 4th obstetric week, then it is too early to talk about the fetus. The zygote gradually passes into the stage of the embryo. Now the unborn child is an almost invisible lump of cells, which scientists call morula. Under a microscope, it will look like a berry covered with “pimples”. If the consolidation of the morula in the uterine cavity has not yet occurred, it will certainly take place. And then real cellular magic begins.

How is the embryo arranged?

The size of the future fetus in the 4th obstetric week is comparable to the “poppy seed”. Its weight is about 0.5 g and a height of 0.36-1 mm. However, this is literally momentary data. The embryo is rapidly increasing due to constant cell division.

The structure of the embryo

Doctors often use the concept of the germinal disc, which form the germinal leaf. These are special layers of cells:

• the inner layer (endoderm) will give rise to the digestive tract, liver and lungs, as well as the pancreas;
• the middle layer (mesoderm) is the future kidneys, muscles, heart and blood vessels, as well as the skeleton of the baby;
• the outer layer (ectoderm) is responsible for the formation of the nervous system, head (including eyes, teeth and hair), as well as the skin.

Extra germinal organs

The miracle of nature also lies in the fact that a single fertilized cell, when divided, provides the baby with everything necessary. Including full meals. This is done by the so-called extra-germ organs. There are three of them:

• chorion: a sort of hairy sac that later becomes a placenta;
• amnion is the future fetal bladder, the strong “packaging” of the fetus;
• yolk sac is the supply of food for the embryo.

The last extra-germinal organ is especially important. It is his dysfunction or pathology that can lead to a miscarriage. According to the state of the yolk sac, an ultrasound specialist will receive some important data on pregnancy and the embryo.

Scientists have established a curious fact: mainly the male embryo genes are “responsible” for the external germinal organs. We can say that the function of the breadwinner and protector is laid at the deepest levels of the human being.

Future mom

In the fourth obstetric week, a woman may still not know anything. The active development of the zygote in the female body can either give the first signs of pregnancy, or not affect the condition of the future mother at all.

Feel

If a woman is planning a pregnancy, she is full of expectations. The main question now: did it work or not? On the 4th obstetric week, the feelings of the mother are more emotional.

Physically, a woman may feel a slight malaise. There may be slight weakness, barely noticeable discomfort in the lower abdomen, drowsiness. A similar condition is almost the same both in early pregnancy and on the eve of menstruation.

But the sensitivity of the breast and nipples can significantly increase. The mammary glands sometimes swell from the first days after conception. Also, by the end of the fourth week, the future mother may well have the first signs of early toxicosis. In this case, someone will simply empty the refrigerator, and someone will run to the store for something “tasty”, special. It could be the other way around: nausea will come, and you won’t want to eat completely.

External changes

Even in the fourth week, the female waist can increase by 1-2 cm. If all the clothes are “close-fitting,” the woman will notice this. The main thing is to react correctly. If pregnancy is not planned, the expectant mother may not recognize her condition. Then she will rush to the gym or to a nutritionist. That is why it is important to protect yourself qualitatively. And if pregnancy is allowed, you need to be careful. Then even minor symptoms will give the right clue.

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Expectant mother may be slightly “heavy”. Weight gain in the early stages is explained, like much more, by hormonal changes. It, in combination with early toxicosis, sometimes leads to slight weight loss. If the future mother feels good at the same time, you should not worry.

Vaginal discharge

With the normal course of pregnancy, the next menstruation will not come. If for some reason the zygote can not gain a foothold in the uterus, menstruation will come. In this case, they do not talk about miscarriage. Often women do not even know that they could become future mothers.

Implantation bleeding - This is a very minor bloody or brown discharge. One or two smears are possible when the embryo is fixed in the uterine cavity.

The female body uses mucous secretions to create a special protective plug. She literally clogs the cervix and comes out normal only before childbirth.

A woman will have to be examined if the mucous discharge is unusual.:

• with an unpleasant odor;
• yellow;
• too plentiful;
• thick and white;
• look like cottage cheese flakes.

Ways to Confirm Pregnancy

How soon will the expectant mother be convinced of her new condition? How much time will you have to wait until the most correct result? It all depends on the method.

Pharmacy test: will it show or not?

Some modern tests, even before the delay, are able to recognize pregnancy.Therefore, if the gestational age is 4 weeks, the test can be applied if there is no patience. Nevertheless, it is better to wait until the first day of the expected period. The result will be more reliable.

Ultrasound scan

At the beginning of the fourth obstetric week, the study is unlikely to help. But in the end, a good specialist will already see something on quality equipment. It will be the uterus with a thick layer of the endometrium and the embryo - a small black dot. If a woman has previously had an ectopic pregnancy, a specialist doctor will definitely check the entire female system.

HCG blood test

The level of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) increases during pregnancy. Therefore, a blood test at the end of the 4th week will help confirm that the conception was successful.

Visit to the doctor: is it time or can I wait?

Modern women are often very busy. Work, family life and hobbies take a lot of time. But now the expectant mother will have to take care of two at once.

In the fourth obstetric week, it is too early to register. Pregnancy itself may not yet be confirmed. But if you already have a positive result, you can go for a consultation. What will the doctor do?

1. She will examine the woman and externally evaluate her general condition.
2. Collects primary data.
3. Prescribe a suitable vitamin complex and folic acid preparations.

If conception was planned and held under the supervision of physicians, a woman will visit her doctor anyway. The doctor will confirm a successful conception and prescribe measures to maintain pregnancy. This is especially important if the patient has already had miscarriages.

What to look for

It is simply amazing how many aspects of life will have to be assessed differently when pregnancy occurs. Special recommendations for expectant mothers should begin to adhere to as early as possible. If this did not happen before the 4th week, it is time to pay attention to a lot.

Nutrition

Completeness and balance: these are the main requirements. Fasting days are now in the past. And it is also advisable to abandon canned foods, convenience foods and fast food.

When preparing meat dishes, it is important to monitor the lack of fat. Fish, in contrast, can be consumed in fatty varieties. Is there a contradiction here? In fact - no. Fatty fish contains many useful organic acids, which are completely absent in animal fat. It should be noted: we are not talking about frying in oil. Just some species of fish live in cold seas and oceans, so for their own heat they acquire a fat layer. The most famous are salmon, trout and salmon.

If you want sweets, it’s better to have marshmallows or marshmallows than chocolate or cake.

Vegetables and fruits are indispensable components of a “pregnant diet." They can be eaten fresh, boiled or stewed. Plus cereals and dairy products.

Expectant mothers often ask: what, now nothing at all “such” is possible? And if you really want, to lightheadedness, you want a sprat, a compote of chili or chips? If you approach diet issues strictly, then there is only one answer: yes, nothing “such” is really possible. But if some kind of food, even “bad”, will help the expectant mother cope with nausea or cheer up, then why not? Only eating unwanted foods is better in microdoses. “Stretch” a pack of chips for a week, and canned food is not a tablespoon directly from the can.

Food poisoning is dangerous for the unborn baby. Therefore, it is very important to secure your diet at the 4th week of pregnancy. No need to try exotic dishes and products at this time. The body may not accept them and respond to a gastrointestinal upset. And not only the expectant mother will suffer, but also the embryo. Right now, it is very unstable to any negative influences.

Protection against harmful factors

The body of the expectant mother can be very vulnerable. Some protective mechanisms in the 4th obstetric week are not yet formed. Therefore it is very important:

• quit smoking and stay away from smokers;
• carefully guard during the period of epidemic of viral infections;
• monitor your mood and let in your life only positive emotions;
• Avoid abrupt climate change.

Additional measures

Stretch marks can seriously spoil both the look of the skin and the mood of a woman. One of the skin protection measures is olive oil. It is recommended to rub it into problem areas before the tummy begins to grow.

Pregnancy and sex

At the 4th obstetric week, the couple may not yet know that someone else has already arisen. Therefore, the intimate life of future parents proceeds as usual. Some women after proximity feel an unpleasant heaviness in the labia.

If conception is planned and carried out under the supervision of a doctor, he may advise taking a break in sexual life. This is especially important if a woman has previously had miscarriages. In rare cases, uterine contractions during orgasm can prevent the embryo from fully gaining a foothold in the uterine cavity.

In all other cases, with good health, the couple has no obstacles to sex. There is one psychological point. Perhaps, over time, the intimate sensations of the expectant mother will change. She may feel awkward, uncomfortable or simply fear when intimacy with her beloved man. It is highly advisable to warn the partner about this. The future father must be ready and patient. At the slightest negativity in an intimate life, a woman cannot be locked in herself, consider sex as a duty and a duty. The child’s father will probably feel the tension. Without knowing the true cause, problems in family life are possible. And therefore - mutual love, respect, attention and frankness are especially important now.

Abortion

In the fourth obstetric week, the concept of miscarriage is rarely used. In most cases, a woman does not have time to accurately confirm the pregnancy or even fully realize her condition. Therefore, for many, bleeding with a miscarriage is equal to monthly.

Some symptoms may indicate a possible interruption.

1. It hurts and pulls the stomach. This is pain, not mild discomfort.
2. Bleeding is profuse, sometimes with clots.
3. Blood discharge is brown.

But even all of these symptoms do not always signal that a miscarriage or spontaneous abortion.

Termination of pregnancy may be intentional. Every woman has the right to do so. However, the decision must be responsible. Nothing can be done in a state of nervous breakdown, from fear or to someone in revenge. Modern medicine tries to spare women in any circumstances. But no one has yet canceled the adverse physical and psychological consequences of abortion.

4th week total

1. The fourth obstetric week may be the time to confirm pregnancy.
2. The embryo is not just dividing, but the functional distribution of cells.
3. The first, barely noticeable signs and symptoms of pregnancy appear.

The lifestyle of a pregnant woman in the fourth week will largely determine the further development of a tiny creature - the future baby.

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Video guide: 4th week of pregnancy: what is happening, symptoms, sensations, signs