How Your Baby Grows Inside You: Week 4

As you step into the very crucial  week 4 of those precious nine months, we put together all the care and precautions you mums-to-be need to take…

Your baby is now an embryo. S/he is now about the size of a poppy seed and around 1mm long. This phase of  your pregnancy is the most Critical Period of Development and lasts for about 10 weeks. This is the time when all of your baby’s organs begin to develop and some of them will also start to function. The stage where your baby’s body is taking form, sigh!

The amniotic sac (the nest that will hold your baby safe) is now formed  and filled with water. This cushions your baby and keeps him/her protected from the world’s external forces.

​Signs and Symptoms

*Your breasts might become increasingly tender and your sense of smell may now be elevated. Some women start feeling nauseous with certain foul odors and this increases as pregnancy progresses.

Your baby’s (nervous system) brain and spine will start to develop during this week, so  make sure you are taking the folic acid supplements as it helps prevent any spinal cord defects. After all, you want to lay a strong foundation for your baby!

Physical Development

It’s still a bit early to think about maternity clothes but you might want to start wearing something less snug. This is so that you get used to them early on. Go ahead and wear your pregnancy on your sleeve!  

Emotional Changes

A positive pregnancy test can lead you to experience a turmoil of emotions. The news might get you excited, happy and nervous at the same time! This is when you must schedule a visit with an Obstetrician and your Gynaecologist for some professional advice. You can also turn to a close friend or  immediate family for reference or read up reviews from other mums on BabyChakra and then select a trustworthy doctor close to your home.

It’s important that you give up intake of toxins such as alcohol immediately! If you used to drink socially, then refusing alcoholic drinks at gatherings may be difficult, especially if you have not shared the news of your pregnancy yet.

It’s time to switch to fresh fruit juices at parties and grin through, holding your secret safe in your tummy! Pun intended. Remember, everything that you consume is passing to the baby through your bloodstream, so make sure you eat healthy.

Red Flags

Some say travelling by public transport like autorickshaws or two wheelers, during this critical period, especially over bumpy roads must be avoided. There isn’t any evidence that this can cause great harm to the foetus. However, if you can manage an alternate way to travel then do so.  Sometimes a bumpy ride can cause spotting or bleeding in case of complicated pregnancies. Talk to your doctor about this.

Old Wives’ tales​

It is considered bad luck in some cultures to share pregnancy news before the pregnancy crosses week 12. This does make sense in some ways as about 26% of pregnancies are lost in the first 12 weeks. This is however, not your fault but in all probability it is nature’s way of expelling a fetus which is not very viable.

Also Read: Week 1, Week 2, Week 3, Week 5, Week 6, Week 7, Week 8, Week 9, Week 10, Week 11, Week 12, Week 13, Week 14, Week 15, Week 16, Week 17, Week 18, Week 19, Week 20, Week 21, Week 22, Week 23, Week 24, Week 25, Week 26, Week 27, Week 28, Week 29, Week 30, Week 31, Week 32, Week 33, Week 34, Week 35, Week 36, Week 37, Week 38, Week 39, Week 40

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