Fetal development in pregnancy week 4
By the end of this week the round and pointy ends of your little pear-shaped baby will be slightly more exaggerated and their body will look more like that of a miniature manatee. Despite your baby not looking particularly human without any eyes, ears or mouth, the earliest developments of what will become the larynx, internal ear, and eye lens are already forming, although you’d have to be a trained expert to recognize them for what they’re going to be in the future. Likewise, tiny bumps are forming on your little embryo which will eventually be their cute little arms, elbows, fingers, legs, knees and toes. What’s more your little swimmer will have a teeny tiny tail by the end of this week– but don’t worry, it’s just the end of their developing spinal cord! A microscopic photo would reveal what seems to be their vertebrae filling out the spine and tail. Although they aren’t bones yet, but rather, the “bone seeds” that will give rise to your baby’s tiny vertebrae, ribs and sternum.
Maternal Changes
You might actually start realizing some changes at 4 weeks pregnant. Some women start to feel a little bit tired during pregnancy at 4 weeks, which is not a surprise given the remarkable work your body is performing to support your new baby! Many women liken the symptoms they are feeling during this stage to those they feel around the time of menstruation. You may in fact experience nothing other than some menstrual symptoms, including a bit of nausea and even some cramping. Believe it or not, some women cramp very badly during this time and are absolutely positive that they are about to get their period, only to find that they are actually pregnant a week or so later.
Many women will be able to find out if they are pregnant by 4 weeks. A home pregnancy test is sufficient for determining whether or not you are pregnant. If you take a test and find that you are pregnant, you should call your health care provider to set up your first prenatal visit. Chances are they won’t want to see you for a few more weeks, but it is important nonetheless to schedule your visits. Your health care provider can also prescribe a prenatal vitamin if you aren’t already taking one.
Some women are disappointed to find that their pregnancy test comes back negative. Give it some time. Some women don’t produce enough pregnancy hormones right away for a standard test to detect a pregnancy.
How long it takes to get pregnant depends on a number of factors. Some women will try for several months before they actually get pregnant. Most practitioners will not consider infertility a problem unless you have been trying to get pregnant for more than a year with no results. At that time, your health care provider might suggest some special tests to determine what obstacles you might be facing.
Remember that stress is a big hindrance to pregnancy. Some women find that as soon as they stop trying, they actually get pregnant. It may sound strange, but the body is a very complex machine, and small things including stress can influence your body’s ability to function normally. If you find yourself unusually stressed, consider some yoga or other meditative practices to help you remain calm and relaxed.
Dad
Do you have a plan on how you’ll find out about the pregnancy? Will the test be a joint effort? Some moms choose to have dad go and read the results. Be sure you’ve read the instructions and know how to properly read the test results. The words you say will be remembered forever.
Maternity Clothes
Many pregnant women prefer buying career separates when shopping for maternity clothes. Some of these moms may already have a few career separates from a previous pregnancy, while others may find that they are simply trying to fill the gaps in their current maternity wardrobe.
Career Separates at Destination Maternity are a good choice if you need a few pieces of career maternity items that you can mix/match and use time and time again. Career separates can also be a good option if you are looking for a wardrobe with a little versatility and fun.
Pregnancy Health Tips
Did you know that environmental pollutants are just as harmful as other toxins you might ingest during pregnancy? It is important that you are aware of any environmental toxins and pollutants that may harm your fetus during pregnancy. Some of the more common pollutants that can affect fetal development include: lead, mercury, pesticides and PCBs. PCBs are mixtures of chemical compounds. Some women are exposed to certain PCBs at work. If you work in an environment where a variety of chemicals are used, you might check in with your health care provider to ensure that your work environment is safe.
As a mom to be, you need to be extra careful about your nutrition before pregnancy, as well as during your pregnancy. Learn what foods to eat and what foods to avoid during pregnancy. Did you know some foods should be avoided during pregnancy?
Twin Tips
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