At four weeks pregnant, your body develops the placenta and amniotic sac. Here, most women miss their period and suspect they could be pregnant!
While you miss your period, you might also suffer from nausea, exhaustion, and aching breasts. But what else happens during the fourth week of pregnancy?
We are here to tell you! Keep reading to discover what happens during the fourth week of pregnancy, including the common symptoms, how to detect pregnancy, and more!
What’s Coming Up In This Article?
- What Does It Mean To Be 4 Weeks Pregnant?
- Can You Detect Pregnancy At Week 4?
- Should You Get An Ultrasound At 4 Weeks Pregnant?
- How Big Is A Baby At 4 Weeks Pregnant?
- What Are The Common Symptoms When You Are 4 Weeks Pregnant?
- What Are The Common Miscarriage Symptoms At 4 Weeks Pregnant?
- How Do You Calculate Your Due Date From 4 Weeks Pregnant?
- What Precautions Should I Take To Maintain My Health At 4 Weeks Pregnant?
- What Body Changes Should You Expect At 4 Weeks Pregnant?
- How Can You Prepare For Pregnancy?
Key Points
- At four weeks pregnant, your baby is the size of a poppy seed
- The pregnancy hormones are still developing, causing some mood swings
- A home pregnancy test will pick up a pregnancy
- At four weeks, most women will miss their period
- At four weeks, your baby is too small to show up on an ultrasound, but you might see the amniotic sac
- At four weeks, sore breasts, nausea, and bloating are common symptoms
What Does It Mean To Be 4 Weeks Pregnant?
At four weeks pregnant, your blastocyst (previously a fertilised egg) is implanting into your uterine lining. This started at the end of week three and continued into week four.
The blastocyst splits into two halfves. One becomes the embryo and will later develop into a baby. The other half becomes your baby’s placenta.
The outer cells of the embryo are attached to your uterine lining. These cells will form links with your blood supply, forming two layers that later grow to become part of your baby’s body.
- The inner layer becomes the breathing and digestive systems
- The middle layer becomes the blood vessels, heart, muscles, and bones
- The outer layer becomes the brain and your baby’s nervous system
While this won’t happen immediately, knowing what will happen to your body is good.
The placenta will start to form, but it will take a few weeks. Your embryo is attached to a yolk sac providing nourishment and is settled in the amniotic sac, surrounded by liquid.
Your body continues to produce human chorionic gonadotropin, hCG, the pregnancy hormone. You might also notice early signs you are pregnant alongside your missed period. Typically, women experience sore breasts, nausea, bloating, and extreme tiredness.
Can You Detect Pregnancy At Week 4?
At four weeks pregnant, you will likely miss your period. A pregnancy test should detect a pregnancy here based on the levels of hCG in your urine. Most pregnancy tests purchased in-store can generate a positive test result.
Doing the pregnancy test first thing in the morning is best, as your urine will have its highest concentration of hCG levels, ensuring that you get an accurate result. A positive pregnancy test should be considered accurate at this point.
You can also have a pregnancy test performed by your doctor. This will be a blood test that measures the levels of hCG in your blood. These tests can spot pregnancy from a few days after ovulation, so they will work at four weeks pregnant.
What Are The Common Symptoms When You Are 4 Weeks Pregnant?
Four weeks pregnant, the most common pregnancy symptoms are nausea, extreme tiredness, or sore breasts. Women might experience one, some, or all of these. Some women will also experience no symptoms, which is normal.
Is There Any Change To HCG Levels At 4 Weeks Pregnant?
Yes, your human chorionic gonadotropin levels (hCG) will continue to rise at four weeks pregnant. Your hCG levels double every 48 to 72 hours in the first four weeks of pregnancy.
Should I Expect Any Cramping At 4 Weeks Pregnant?
Some women experience light cramping at four weeks pregnant. It is usually caused by your embryo continuing to implant in the uterus.
Will I Experience Morning Sickness At 4 Weeks Pregnant?
Morning sickness can begin as early as four weeks but isn’t common. Instead, you might feel nauseous and have aversions to certain smells, textures, or foods.
Will My Breasts Feel Tender At 4 Weeks Pregnant?
Your breasts will likely feel tender and sore at week four of your pregnancy. You might notice they tingle and that veins are more visible.
Will I Have Food Cravings At 4 Weeks Pregnant?
Food cravings can happen at any point during pregnancy so you might notice them at week 4. You might also notice aversions to certain foods.
Will I Pass Urine More Frequently At 4 Weeks Pregnant?
You might urinate more frequently at four weeks pregnant, but this worsens as your pregnancy progresses.
Will I Feel Tiredness Or Fatigue At 4 Weeks Pregnant?
It is common to feel extreme tiredness or fatigue at four weeks pregnant. It takes your body a lot of energy to form the placenta, so tiredness is expected.
Will I Feel Bloated At 4 Weeks Pregnant?
You might feel bloated at this stage of your pregnancy. It is completely normal.
Will I Get A Headache At 4 Weeks Pregnant?
Headaches are common in early pregnancy so you might experience them at four weeks pregnant.
Will I Experience A Metallic Taste In My Mouth At 4 Weeks Pregnant?
A metallic taste in your mouth is common at four weeks pregnant, with many women experiencing it.
Will I Have A Heightened Sense Of Smell At 4 Weeks Pregnant?
A heightened sense of smell is common at four weeks pregnant. You might notice that you have an aversion to certain smells, which might make you nauseous. Coffee is a common aversion.
Can You Experience Shortness Of Breath At 4 Weeks Pregnant?
Shortness of breath usually occurs later in your pregnancy. You should speak to a doctor if you experience shortness of breath at four weeks pregnant.
Is It Normal To Get Diarrhea At 4 Weeks Pregnant?
Diarrhea is normal at four weeks pregnant. Most women will suffer from diarrhea during the early weeks. of pregnancy.
Can You Get Vaginal Discharge At 4 Weeks Pregnant?
You can get a vaginal discharge at four weeks pregnant. While you might notice it more in your second or third week, it can happen now, along with some light spotting.
Will I Experience Lower Back Pain At 4 Weeks Pregnant?
Lower back pain can occur at four weeks pregnant.
Will I Experience Mood Swings At 4 Weeks Pregnant?
You can experience mood swings at four weeks pregnant. Your hormone levels are changing, making you feel tearful or irritable.
Is Spotting Normal At 4 Weeks Pregnant?
Light spotting is normal at three weeks pregnant. You might notice some light spotting and should not be a cause for concern.
What Other Symptoms Are Common When 4 Weeks Pregnant?
The following early pregnancy symptoms are common at four weeks pregnant:
- Missed period
- Darkened skin on your face or brown patches
- Thicker and shinier hair
How Big Is A Baby At 4 Weeks Pregnant?
A baby, or embryo, is roughly 2mm long at four weeks. It is approximately the size of a poppy seed and is protected by an amniotic sac. The sac is filled with cushioning fluid and has a yolk sac attached that will develop into the placenta as your pregnancy progresses.
Can You Feel The Baby At Four Weeks Pregnant?
You will be unable to feel the baby at four weeks pregnant. The embryo is not large or developed enough to feel it move or grow at this point in pregnancy.
Should You Get An Ultrasound At 4 Weeks Pregnant?
While you can get an ultrasound at four weeks, you are better off waiting longer to see more at the ultrasound. Ultrasounds can be performed at four weeks, but you won’t see a clear sac on the ultrasound scan or hear a heartbeat.
Some healthcare providers will perform an ultrasound at this stage to confirm pregnancy. The placement of the gestational sac will be looked at, and you can see a small circle in the centre of the ultrasound. This will show the embryo and sac protected deep in the uterus.
Are There Any Other Tests Or Scans I Need To Consider At 4 Weeks Pregnant?
You can take a home pregnancy test to confirm your pregnancy at this stage. Wait until you miss your period or purchase an early-detection pregnancy test for an accurate result.
What Are Common Miscarriage Symptoms At 4 Weeks Pregnant?
The common signs of miscarriage at four weeks include heavy bleeding, spotting, and cramping. At four weeks, miscarriage is considered a chemical pregnancy, as the embryo is not easily detected on an ultrasound.
What Are The Chances Of Miscarriage At 4 Weeks Pregnant?
The chances of miscarriage at four weeks is roughly 30%. According to Oxford Academia, miscarriage has a chance of 30% in the first few weeks, including week four.
How Do You Calculate Your Due Date From 4 Weeks Pregnant?
At four weeks pregnant, the best way to calculate your due date is to use the date of your last menstrual period. Known as LMP, this is how most pregnancies are calculated.
Calculating a due date is based on a forty-week pregnancy. Take the date of your last period and count 40 weeks or 280 days to see your due date. Due dates aren’t 100% accurate, so don’t panic if your pregnancy runs late.
You can also use an online due date calculator if you prefer.
What Body Changes Should You Expect At 4 Weeks Pregnant?
At four weeks pregnant, you can expect bloating and breast tenderness. How long these last varies from woman to woman, so don’t panic if your symptoms last a different amount of time to others.
You might not notice any symptoms here; not all women do. Any symptoms you see might be attributed to your period, with the missed period being the first sign you could be pregnant that you get.
What Is The Body Doing During This Process?
During this process, your body is busy! The blastocyst is now in your uterus and continues to implant into the lining before dividing in half. You now have two cells: the embryo and the placenta. Both will continue to develop as your pregnancy progresses
Your body also develops the amniotic sac around your embryo and placenta. The yolk sac also develops here and later incorporates into your baby’s developing digestive tract.
What Precautions Should I Take To Maintain My Health At 4 Weeks Pregnant?
There are a few health precautions you can take at four weeks pregnant. Check them out listed below.
Take Prenatal Vitamins
Start taking prenatal vitamins if you haven’t already started. Look for a folic acid supplement or a multivitamin that includes folic acid. You can purchase these online or from your local drugstore, and should be taken as instructed on the bottle. You can speak to your doctor if you have any questions.
Stay Hydrated
You need to stay hydrated throughout your pregnancy. Use the first few weeks to get into the habit of staying hydrated. You should aim for six to eight glasses of water a day to keep your body hydrated.
You should reduce your intake of caffeine and sugar drinks, too.
Enjoy A Balanced Diet
You want to eat a healthy and balanced diet to maintain your health throughout pregnancy. Not only is this good for you, but your growing baby too! Fuel your body with nutritious meals to help your baby develop and grow normally.
Speak to a doctor if you want guidance on what to eat here.
Stop Smoking
Now is the time to quit smoking. Smoking tobacco while pregnant has been linked to increasing birth defects and health conditions in babies. According to an article in BMC Pregnancy Childbirth, it can also impact a baby’s development, leading to a stressful pregnancy and birth. You can speak to your doctor if you need help quitting smoking.
Get Rest
Tiredness is a common symptom at four weeks pregnant, so get plenty of rest. Your body needs to be well rested; after all, it is working hard to create a placenta and a baby! Aim for eight hours of sleep a day and give your body time to rest when you feel tired; you don’t want to overdo it.
Stay Active
This might seem counter-productive, but you will still want to stay active. You might feel too tired to do your usual exercises, but a gentle walk, some yoga, or a shorter gym session can be beneficial. You want to remain fit and healthy, so stay active as much as you physically can.
At four weeks pregnant, there are no restrictions on exercise, but do what feels right for you. Speak to a doctor if you are unsure what exercise to do at four weeks pregnant.
Reduce Stress
Stress is never good, especially when you are pregnant. Where possible, try to reduce the stress levels in your life. This might mean taking on less responsibility at work or asking for more help around the home. You can try yoga, meditation, or some breathing techniques to calm your mind and body and reduce stress levels, too.
Stay Informed
Learning as much as you can about pregnancy and childbirth can help you feel more prepared and empowered during this time. Talk to your healthcare provider, read books, and join online forums or support groups to connect with other expectant mothers.
Remember, every pregnancy is unique, and what works for one woman may not work for another. It’s essential to listen to your body and talk to your healthcare provider about any concerns or questions.
Are There Any Foods I Should Avoid At 4 Weeks Pregnant?
The following foods should be avoided during the first trimester of your pregnancy:
- Seafood with high mercury content
- Raw or undercooked meats
- Raw or undercooked eggs
- Soft cheeses
- Unpasteurised milk
Are There Any Drinks I Should Avoid At 4 Weeks Pregnant?
Alcoholic drinks should be avoided. You should also look to reduce your caffeine intake.
Are There Any Supplements I Should Avoid At 4 Weeks Pregnant?
You should avoid any supplement that your doctor has not approved of. You should also avoid any supplements unsuitable for pregnant women to consume. Check the label of any supplement bottle before taking it. You can speak to your doctor to ensure you only take suitable supplements.
Can I Exercise While 4 Weeks Pregnant?
Yes, you can exercise while four weeks pregnant. You might feel more tired than usual, so you can adjust your exercises to suit your new energy level.
Is It Safe To Travel When 4 Weeks Pregnant?
Yes, it is safe to travel when four weeks pregnant. You should check before travelling whether there are any advisories on pregnant women travelling and if there are any vaccinations you need before entering a different country.
Are There Any Acitivites I Should Avoid At 4 Weeks Pregnant?
The following activities should be avoided during your pregnancy:
- Acupuncture
- Massage
- Saunas
- Hot tubs
- Steam rooms
- Whirlpools
Is It Safe To Have Sex When 4 Weeks Pregnant?
Yes, it is safe to have sex when you are four weeks pregnant.
How Should I Sleep At 4 Weeks Pregnant?
You should sleep as normal at this stage in your pregnancy. You might notice that you are sleeping more than usual; this is attributed to the extreme tiredness some women experience and is not a cause for concern.
What Position Is It Safe To Sleep In When 4 Weeks Pregnant?
Any sleeping position is safe to sleep in while four weeks pregnant. However, it is a good time to get in the habit of sleeping on your side. Side sleeping with your knees bent is considered a comfortable and safe position as your pregnancy progresses.
How Can You Prepare For Pregnancy?
Below are some tips to help you prepare for the rest of your pregnancy or an upcoming pregnancy.
Take Prenatal Vitamins
You can take prenatal vitamins before conceiving and should take them at the start of your pregnancy. Look for those with a high level of folic acid, calcium, and iron to provide you and your growing baby with the necessary nutrients.
Take A Pregnancy Test
You can take a pregnancy test at four weeks pregnant if you haven’t already. Most women will wait until they miss their period, usually around week four, before tracking a pregnancy test. Most women’s cycles run for twenty-eight days, so at week four, you will have missed your usual period.
You can take a pregnancy test now by purchasing it from a drugstore. You can also take an early-detection pregnancy test if you are unsure when your period is due. These can detect pregnancy before your missed period, so are handy here.
Create A Support Network
A support network is a vital part of pregnancy. You will need people you can turn to when you have questions, news to share, or just want to talk. Pregnancy can be isolating for some women; you don’t want that to happen to you!
Your friends, family, and partner can be the basis of a support network but look further afield, too. There are apps and social media groups dedicated to new and expecting mothers. Reach out on these to find people in your area who could be part of your support group.
Speak To A Doctor
Make the most of your doctor and speak to them with any questions or concerns. They can provide assistance and reassurance and point you in the right direction of any available resources. Pregnancy can be stressful, and you are bound to have questions, so ensure you have them answered by a professional.
Final Thoughts On 4 Weeks Pregnant
At four weeks, your body is changing! It is hard at work helping your embryo and placenta develop. It is common to feel extremely tired this week; growing a baby is bound to zap your energy! Go easy on yourself this week, allow plenty of rest, take your prenatal vitamins, and enjoy the start of your new journey.
For those who haven’t taken a pregnancy test, now is the time to do so!