4 Weeks Pregnant Symptoms
Congratulations on your new pregnancy! At 4 weeks pregnant, you have found out that you’re pregnant much sooner than most women do.
Your baby/embryo at 4 weeks pregnant
At 4 weeks pregnant, the embryo is developing within the lining of the womb. Your baby (embryo) is currently the size of a poppy seed. Even though your baby is currently tiny, a lot is going on! The fertilised egg has embedded itself into the side of the womb and the outer cells reach out to form links with the mother’s blood supply. The inner cells form into 3 layers:
Inner layer: This will eventually become the lungs, stomach, gut and bladder.
Middle Layer: This layer will become the heart, blood vessels, muscles and bones.
Outer Layer: This layer will become your baby’s brain and nervous centre, as well as the eye lenses, tooth enamel and skin and nails.
The embryo is attached to a small “yolk sac” which provides the nutrients to the embryo. Later in the pregnancy, the placenta will form and transfer nutrients to the baby.
For a complete week-by-week guide of your baby’s development, you can read our article How Are Babies Made?
You at 4 weeks pregnant
At 4 weeks pregnant, the first thing that women will usually notice first is that they have missed their period.
Around this time, you should start taking prenatal vitamins: particularly 400 micrograms of folic acid daily until you are in your second trimester. You can get some folic acid tablets here.
You should also take around 10 micrograms of vitamin D daily throughout your pregnancy. You can get some vitamin D tablets here.
You may be experiencing some early pregnancy symptoms at 4 weeks pregnant, but it’s also normal if you’re not. You can go for an early ultrasound scan as early as 5 weeks..
4 Weeks Pregnancy Symptoms
Whilst it is common not to experience any pregnancy symptoms at 4 weeks pregnant, the same pregnancy hormones (like hCG) that gave you a positive pregnancy test can cause these pregnancy symptoms:
Bloating
A potential 4 weeks pregnant symptom is bloating. During the early stages of pregnancy, there is a spike in progesterone in your body. The rise in progesterone slows down your body’s digestive system, causing bloating.
Morning Sickness
Morning sickness is one of the most difficult pregnancy symptoms to deal with. The rise in progesterone causes nausea, as well as hypersensitivity to certain smells/odours (e.g. coffee or perfume) which can trigger vomiting.
Spotting
Spotting can occur at week 4 due to implantation. A bit of light bleeding is completely normal. If you experience heavy bleeding or have any other concerns, you should contact your doctor. You can read more about spotting and 4 weeks pregnant brown discharge in our other articles.
Mild Cramping
Another potential 4 weeks pregnant symptom is mild cramping.
Mild cramping can be concerning- but it’s actually a sign that your baby has properly implanted into your uterine lining. If you experience particularly painful cramps, however, you should contact you, doctor, ASAP.
Mood swings
Mood swings happen because of your rapidly changing hormone levels. After the first 12 weeks of pregnancy, your hormone levels should even out a bit.
Fatigue
Fatigue is one of the common 4 weeks pregnant symptom, and unfortunately, it’s also a common symptom throughout your pregnancy.
If you are pregnant, it’s no wonder that you might be feeling this particular symptom! Your body has new life forming within it-and it’s a process that will definitely sap some of your energy. This is one of the most common pregnancy symptoms.
Sore Breasts
This symptom is also due to the increase in progesterone in your body. The breast tenderness usually eases off by the second trimester.
Next Steps for your pregnancy
Once you know you are pregnant, you should contact your GP. They will set you up with appointments with a midwife to give you any expert advice you may need and book you in for pregnancy care appointments.
You should also consult your GP about any medication (particularly medication used to treat mental health conditions) you are currently taking to see if it’s safe to carry on doing so during your pregnancy. Here is what you would find at a ultrasound scan at 4 weeks pregnant.
Follow Carla on her Pregnancy Journey
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My name is Louise and I am the Digital Marketing and Administrative Assistant at MyBump2Baby. I have been writing in the parenting niche for over 2 years specialising in fertility, pregnancy, baby and baby name support articles.