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4 Weeks Pregnant

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Article Summary

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Your Baby

The great divide. While you've been adjusting to the excitement of being pregnant, the new life inside you has been busy. The fertilized egg is implanting itself into the side of your uterus, where it continues its rapid development. Once implanted, the egg divides into layers of cells and officially becomes an embryo. These cell layers will grow into specialized parts of your little one's body, such as the nervous system, skeleton, muscles, and organs.

Support system under way. The placenta, the disk-like organ that connects your circulation to the embryo's, begins to form and attaches to the uterine wall at the site of implantation. The umbilical cord comes out of one side of the placenta. The amniotic fluid, which will cushion your little one throughout the pregnancy, is already forming inside an encircling sac, called the membranes.

Measuring up. By the end of the week, the embryo measures around 0.04 inch, or 1 millimeter—about the size of a poppy seed.

Twin Peeks This preconception sonogram shows the ovary developing two follicles. If both follicles mature and are fertilized, fraternal twins will result.

Your Pregnancy

Signs of life. A missed period may still be the only indication that you're pregnant. You might, however, experience some spotting as your fertilized egg implants into the uterus. This light bleeding is known as implantation spotting, and it's completely normal.

Testing, testing. A home pregnancy test should show a positive result now, thanks to the hormone hCG, which the brand-new placenta is releasing into your body. This same hormone is largely responsible for the queasiness, or morning sickness, that many women experience in the first trimester of pregnancy. Most home pregnancy tests are accurate after your first missed period, but false negatives do happen. Many women say they tested negative for several weeks after they stopped menstruating, even though they just "knew" they were pregnant (and were right).

From the experts. Now that you're pregnant, you may wonder which over-the-counter cough, cold, and allergy medicines are safe. "You want to avoid decongestants, antihistamines, and remedies containing PPA [phenylpropanolamine]," says Elaine Zwelling, R.N., Ph.D. "Some cold remedies and cough medicines contain as much as 25 percent alcohol," she adds, and these should be avoided as well. Click here to read more from Dr. Zwelling on what you can take when you're feeling under the weather. And remember always to check with your health care provider before taking any medications, even over-the-counter ones.



Member Comments
MyNicholas
(San Ysidro, UNITED STATES)
Updated 06/28/09 - 10:55 a.m.
I'm a 39 yr old mom-to-be :) I had been wanting to become a mother since I can remember (1 should have been around 9 years old when I started thinking of a future full of babies). About the age of 24-25, I had been told by my gyn-ob, I had a congenital condition in my uterus that would prevent me from becoming a mother. I'm 3 months pregnant now. This baby is truly a miracle to me. No fertilization treatment, nothing. I feel blessed. Every morning I wake up and thank God for sending me sucha wonderful gift. I was reading the "4 Weeks Pregnant" articule, and I'm amazed everytime I read whatta big miracle a pregnancy is:) The way it is in the very beginning, etc. I have been having alot of nausea and sleepiness. Sleepiness since after the 1st month. Nausea for the last week, very constant, day and night. But I'm enjoying every single thing, and I would go throught it all over again :) Congratulations to all of you!
1greatmom
(Santa Paula, UNITED STATES)
Updated 06/19/09 - 11:20 a.m.
Just found out I'm pregnant with number 4..... WOW! Still in shock......hope it goes away before the baby is born! LOL!
alexandaudrey
(Newaygo, UNITED STATES)
Updated 06/18/09 - 04:08 p.m.
Just learned that we are pregnant again. My daughter is only eight months so I can relate to kellyr27. Very excited, though!
stacymay1
(bremerton, UNITED STATES)
Updated 06/12/09 - 01:51 p.m.
just found out we're pregant again..this will be the third for us...i have two boys already 6 and 3 and hoping for twins...heheh yeah I said it twins...im 4weeks and just hope for the best...
kellyr27
(Glassboro, UNITED STATES)
Updated 05/07/09 - 09:19 p.m.
my first son is 7 months old and I nursed for the first 6 months. I just got my cycle back last month. we weren't trying but we also are not being careful and at 32 days i tested possitive. I had a feeling I was pregnant because I became clumsy and forgetful again. I'd like a girl but a boy would be nice for my son to have growing up so close in age.
petitedoll_72
(westland, UNITED STATES)
Updated 05/07/09 - 01:02 p.m.
this is my third baby, i have 2 boys and im praying this is my girl! im due 1/07/10. please pray 4 me!
Beautifulmother
(Mabton, UNITED STATES)
Updated 05/05/09 - 01:06 a.m.
I'm expecting my 3rd baby and I'm so excited to know what I'm going to have because I have to boys, I'll be geting my ultrasound soon.
Mami4Life
(Grand Prairie, UNITED STATES)
Updated 04/27/09 - 12:54 p.m.
This will be my third child as well and I never thought about having the baby be a surprise even though I have one of each. Thanks for the thought hotmomma, I am going to talk to my sweetheart and see what he says although this is our first child together he might be interested. i also with my second child could not get a test to show positive even though I knew. This time I didn't know but I took a test right after I missed and it was positive. A big shock to me. But so exciting!
samanthalei
(Clinton, UNITED STATES)
Updated 01/25/09 - 08:15 p.m.
exciting...nerve wrecking...beautiful

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