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Month 1 | Week 4
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Welcome to the journey of pregnancy. Here’s what to expect, week-by-week, for you and your baby.
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What’s happening with you?
- Week 1
- Week 2
- Week 3
- Week 4
This first week is actually your menstrual period. Since your expected delivery date (EDD) is calculated from the first day of your last period, this week is included in your 40-week pregnancy timeline, even though conception hasn't occurred yet
It might sound unusual, but you're still not pregnant! Fertilization of your egg by the sperm will happen near the end of this week. By then, you'll be halfway through your menstrual cycle and ovulation will occur where the ovary releases an egg into the fallopian tube. This is your most fertile period. If you have unprotected sex around ovulation, you can become pregnant. After ejaculation, millions of sperm travel through the vagina, and hundreds reach the fallopian tube, where the egg awaits. Typically, one sperm successfully penetrates the egg, resulting in fertilization. Once this happens, you're pregnant — but you won't notice any physical changes yet.
Although you might not feel pregnant yet, a baby is growing and developing inside you! Conception just occurred, but the process of development has already begun.
Some women experience slight cramping and spotting during this week, which they might mistake for a period, especially since it occurs around the time their period was due. This is because the embryo is embedding deeper into your uterus lining. Your body also releases a hormone that stops your monthly periods. This hormone, hCG, can be detected in home pregnancy tests. This week, a pregnancy test could likely confirm your pregnancy so the end of this week is a good time to take a test and confirm! hCG also causes pregnancy symptoms, which might start now. Tiredness, tingling or aching breasts, and nausea can also occur with premenstrual syndrome (PMS). By the end of this week, your period won't occur. Instead, your pregnancy is progressing! If you haven't already, start taking prenatal vitamins.
What’s happening with baby
There are some crazy terms of what your growing baby is called in the first few weeks. Let’s break it down. Fertilization occurs, creating a zygote. About 30 hours after fertilization, the fertilized egg divides into two cells, then four, then eight, continuing to divide as it moves from the fallopian tube to the uterus. By the time it reaches the uterus, this group of cells resembles a tiny ball and is called a morula. The morula becomes hollow and fills with fluid, becoming a blastocyst. Near the end of this week, the blastocyst will attach to the endometrium, the lining of your uterus. This process is called implantation. This implantation forms a crucial connection — the endometrium provides the developing embryo with nutrients and removes waste. Over time, this will develop into the placenta.
At four weeks, your baby is now called an embryo. The amnion, filled with amniotic fluid, will surround and protect the growing embryo. The yolk sac will produce blood and nourish the embryo until the placenta takes over. The embryo continues to implant in your uterus, embedding itself deeply within the endometrium. Once implanted, the embryo produces a hormone called human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), which helps maintain the uterus lining and tells the ovaries to stop releasing eggs each month. No more periods, yay!
What’s happening with baby
"The journey of motherhood begins with the smallest of steps. Embrace each moment, for it is the start of a beautiful adventure."
Common Symptoms in Month 1
Nausea
Often referred to as morning sickness, though it can happen at any time of the day.
Fatigue
A common first sign of pregnancy.
Breast Tenderness
Breasts may feel sore, tender, or swollen.
Due Date:
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