Congratulations! If you know you’re four weeks pregnant, you found out the news earlier than most women probably do — and you might be totally excited, or you might be still getting used to the idea. Either way, it’s likely you’re not feeling any different (for now, at least), since most early pregnancy symptoms have not have kicked in yet. Be sure to celebrate this amazing news with your partner but don’t tell the world yet. Your first call is to your doctor to schedule your first prenatal visit when they can confirm your pregnancy. And even though your baby-to-be is still tiny, he’s already undergoing important development at week four of pregnancy, so start taking a prenatal vitamin. Look for one with at least 400 micrograms of folic acid and remember to take it daily. We know you’ve got a lot on your mind, but since folic acid is proven to help prevent birth defects, this is super important!
At 4 weeks, your baby, now known as a blastocyst, is practically microscopic — a teeny ball of cells. She’ or he is busy settling into her new home (your uterus), prepping for all the crucial development she’ll be doing over the next six weeks.
Your baby at 4 weeks
- The ball of cells is splitting into the embryo (your future child) and placenta.
- Baby’s neural tube, the building block of his spine, brain and backbone, is already formed.
- The amniotic sac and fluid are forming into protective cushioning for your baby.
Pregnancy symptoms at 4 weeks
- There’s a chance you don’t feel different at all yet, but brace yourself: nausea and vomiting may be in your near future.
- Bloating, thanks to the pregnancy hormone, progesterone.
- Mild cramping and bleeding. Don’t worry — this is totally normal as your baby implants himself to the wall of your uterus.
- Mood swings, caused by your fluctuating hormones. These are most drastic during the first 12 weeks.
Your must-do’s
- Take a pregnancy test (we assume you’ve done this already!)
- Buy a good prenatal vitamin.
- Calculate your due date.
- Find an obstetrician (OB) — not all gynecologists are OB’s as well!
Your nice-to-do’s
- Start a healthy eating plan.
- Decide how and when to tell your family you’re pregnant.
