Weeks 4 - 6

Week 4

Overview

Your baby, or rather, embryo, has finally attached to the lining of the uterus and now the real work starts. The cells inside of the embryo are quickly dividing and exciting things are happening!

 

Your baby’s development at this stage

Week 4 marks the start of your embryonic period. Your baby’s organs will now start to develop up until week 10, and some of these organs will also begin to work and function. Therefore, your baby is very susceptible and vulnerable to anything that may interfere with his or her development. At this point in time, your baby is the size of a poppy seed (i.e. 2mm) and the embryo consists of two different layers, one being the epiblast and the other being the hypoblast. These two layers will allow for the vital organs and other parts of your baby’s body to develop.

The placenta at this point is known as the primitive placenta and consist of two layers whose cells are creating areas for your baby to get the oxygen and nutrients it needs in order to grow. The amniotic sac is also present at this stage and will, with the help of the amniotic fluid, provide cushion-like support for your baby, there is also a yolk sac that will produce the red blood cells (RBCs) for the embryo and deliver any nutrients needed until the placenta has fully developed and takes over this job.

Changes in your life as your baby grows

The following six weeks are crucial for the development of your baby, therefore, along with a prenatal vitamin, you should adjust your diet and lifestyle to be that of a healthy one. Whatever your body is exposed to, your baby is too.

The common early symptoms and signs of pregnancy might include the following:

• Missing your period for over a week or more may mean that you are pregnant
• Having breasts that are swollen or tender
• Feeling nauseous (this can be associated with or without actual vomiting)
• Experiencing an increase in urination
• Suffering from fatigue.

Tests and what to do at this stage

If your home pregnancy test does not have a positive result, give it a few days and try the test again. If you are over the age of 35, then you may have passed your prime child-bearing age and a missed period may be an indication of hormonal changes in the body. But, this is no cause for concern, speak to your doctor about methods to increase your fertility. These can include home and lifestyle changes, as well as a number of other medical approaches.

If you are pregnant according to your home pregnancy test, then make an appointment to see your doctor to confirm with a blood test. Make sure you also find out from your health care insurance in regard to what you are covered for.

Week 5

Overview

At this stage, your little baby is just a collection of tiny tubes, however, these tubes have very important purposes, such as forming the brain and the heart. As your baby continues to grow, your pregnancy symptoms will increase.

Your baby’s development at this stage

Inside of your uterus, your embryo is rapidly growing and developing. Your baby has grown from the size of a poppy seed (2mm) to a sesame seed (3 to 4mm) and resembles something like a small tadpole, rather than a small human. Your embryo now consists of three layers, these are:

• The ectoderm (outer layer)
• The mesoderm (middle layer)
• The endoderm (inner layer)

These three layers will form the organs and tissues later on.

The top layer is the ectoderm. The embryo’s neural tube will form into the spinal cord, brain, backbone and nerves will sprout from this tube which is found in this top layer. This layer also gives rise to the nails, hair, skin, sweat and mammary glands, as well as the tooth enamel.

Your baby’s circulatory system and heart will also start to form in the mesoderm layer, this is the middle layer. In the fifth week, the tiny heart will start to divide into the chambers and begin to pump and beat the blood. This middle layer will also be responsible for forming the baby’s muscles, bone, cartilage and the tissue that is found under the skin which is known as the subcutaneous tissue.

And finally, the endoderm, which is the third layer, will be responsible for housing the intestines, thyroid, pancreas, lungs and the urinary system. For now, the umbilical cord, as well as the primitive placenta, will be delivering the oxygen and nutrients to the embryo.

Changes in your life as your baby grows

The typical symptoms of pregnancy are likely to be present in their full form at this point. Sore breasts, frequent urination, fatigue and morning sickness (although this is not experienced by every woman) are probably part of your daily life at this stage. In spite of all this, your body will not be showing a baby bump yet.

Tests and what to do at this stage

Speak to your doctor about developing an exercise routine or continuing your existing one and the level of intensity at which to do so. If you are battling with morning sickness you may wish to put your exercise regime on hold until the nausea has subsided.

It is important to exercise as regularly as possible when you are pregnant as this will help you to develop the endurance and strength you will need with the extra baby weight you will be carrying around in the later months. Exercise can also help you to manage any aches or pains you may be experiencing. Walking and swimming are some great choices if you are pregnant.

Speak to your doctor about what exercises are best and which to avoid. Exercise during pregnancy has a number of positive effects on your life, as well as affording your body the ability to bounce back a lot quicker after birth if you have been following a good exercise routine.

Week 6

Overview

A little miracle is beginning to form as your baby’s heart is starting to beat for the first time. Your baby may still look like a tadpole, but not for much longer as his or her human features are starting to form.

Your baby’s development at this stage

Your baby’s mouth, nose and ears are starting to form. Your baby now has an oversized head with dark spots for the nostrils and eyes as they are beginning to form. The little ears are also starting to emerge and protruding buds from the body are forming for the legs and arms.

His or her little heart is currently beating at around 100 to even 160 beats a minute, this is about twice as fast as your heart. With blood now coursing through the embryo’s little body, further tissue, as well as the intestines, are forming. The tissue that will later develop into the lungs has also appeared.

Your baby’s pituitary gland is also forming, as well as his or her muscles, bones and brain. Your baby is about a quarter inch in size, which is 0.6 centimetres, so he or she resembles something the size of a lentil.

Changes in your life as your baby grows

Feeling moody is normal at this stage. Feeling unsettled, particularly if you take pride in having control, is also normal as your body goes through changes that you have no control over. Your hormones are fluctuating and your body is changing which can often make you feel very emotional.

If you experience any spotting or light bleeding, this should not be a red flag, as this is to be expected during your first few weeks of pregnancy. However, to be on the safe side, always check with your doctor if you do see any spotting as this can sometimes be the initial signs of an ectopic pregnancy (when the egg implants outside of the uterus) or a miscarriage.

Morning sickness will also be experienced in full-force at this stage. While this may not feel very good, researchers have found that nausea experienced during pregnancy is actually a good thing as it generally means your body is going through the expected changes of a healthy pregnancy.  That said, every woman is different, and not everyone experiences full blown morning sickness, and many who don’t still have healthy pregnancies.

Tests and what to do at this stage

You are likely to be feeling extremely tired at week 6. It can help if you try to include 20-minute power naps into your day to help ease the fatigue.

If you haven’t already done this, then you should make a prenatal appointment and ask your doctor any questions you may have about your pregnancy. Your doctor will also ask you about any genetic abnormalities or chronic conditions you may have in your family, both immediate and extended.  It helps to prepare a list before your visit so as not to forget anything.

Testing for any listed abnormalities will be done at a later stage but your doctor still needs to know as much as possible early on in your pregnancy in order to know what to look for and also so that any necessary precautions, where applicable, can be taken to ensure a safe and healthy pregnancy. Your doctor will typically inform you of your due date, granted you know when your last period ended.

How to prepare for your first prenatal visit:

• Bring any prescription medications you are currently taking with you to the appointment
• Have a look at a calendar and try to determine when the last day of your period was
• Consider any prenatal testing you may want to have done, these often come at an extra cost (so if you have medical insurance it is advisable to check if these tests are covered beforehand).
• Write down all the questions you may have in order to put your mind at ease with educated answers from your doctor

What will happen at your first prenatal appointment:

• The doctor will ask you about your physical and emotional changes you have experienced
• The doctor will check your blood pressure, weight, diet, urine and measure your abdomen
• Your doctor may conduct a transvaginal ultrasound to get a visual of the developing embryo and will also listen for the baby’s heartbeat
• At the end of the visit, the doctor will discuss any concerns and findings from the visit with you and help prepare you for the next nine months