One of the most crucial stages in the course of pregnancy is its initial weeks. At this time, the physiology of the female body changes significantly. Also, huge changes occur daily in the body of a small embryo.
Determination of the term
3-4 weeks refers to the first trimester of pregnancy. This time is characterized by the initial manifestations of changes in the female body. The presence of a baby in the uterus already contributes to a change in the hormonal background in his mother.
To determine the age of a child during his intrauterine life, doctors use a special counting system. It includes obstetric weeks and months. This technique differs from the calendar, which is mainly used by expectant mothers.
4 obstetric week of pregnancy is equivalent to 2 weeks from conception. Thus, when calculating using the calendar method, the period will always be somewhat shorter.
In order not to be confused, doctors recommend that expectant mothers also use a system for calculating the prenatal age of a baby by calculating it in obstetric weeks or months.
Factors Affecting Baby Development
2 weeks from conception is an extremely important period in the formation of a child. It is important to note that during this time the embryo begins to develop very quickly. This leads to the fact that interesting biological changes begin to occur with the mother and baby.
Multiple factors affect the development of a baby. They can be both internal and external. The intensity of exposure in some cases can be significant, which can lead to disruption of the normal course of intrauterine development of the baby.
The most important internal factor affecting the baby developing in the mother's belly is the woman's emotional mood... From the very first weeks of pregnancy, the emotions and mood of the expectant mother begin to influence the child.
External influences include a wide variety of factors. One of them is the place of residence of the expectant mother. The conditions of a metropolis can have a negative effect on the female body while carrying a baby. Polluted air, the presence of highways and emissions in the air do not contribute to the physiological course of pregnancy.
Also, the peculiarities of the lifestyle that the expectant mother leads can be attributed to external influences. Smoking, alcohol, unhealthy diet have an extremely adverse effect on both the woman herself and her baby.
Taking medications can also worsen pregnancy. It is very important for a woman to find out about her situation as early as possible. Especially if she is forced to constantly take any medications due to the presence of diseases. Many of these drugs can have adverse effects on the fetus.
During the first half of pregnancy, a very important process, organogenesis, is actively taking place in the developing child's body. It is characterized by the formation of the child's internal organs and systems.
If this process is disrupted for some reason, then this may contribute to the emergence of the baby in the future serious health problems. So, organogenesis disorders can lead to the development of defects in the structure of important internal organs and various anomalies in a child.
Woman's condition
This gestational age is still very small. In most cases, a woman does not even suspect that she is expecting a baby. However, serious changes are already beginning to occur in her body.
Many of the sensations that arise are attributed by the woman to premenstrual syndrome (PMS). We can say that they really are somewhat similar. However, the physiology of their appearance is different.
At the 4th week of pregnancy, a woman already has hormonal changes. An increase in the level of many hormones in the blood contributes to the fact that the expectant mother has very specific symptoms. It often happens that a woman simply does not pay serious attention to them.
In most cases, the development of characteristic symptoms occurs against the background of a delay in menstruation. This is the main clinical sign of pregnancy. However, there are exceptions in every case.
Feelings and symptoms
The state of health of the expectant mother in the first weeks of pregnancy begins to change. One of the characteristic features is change in the emotional background.
Changing emotions
Mood swings are called emotional lability by doctors. So, a pregnant woman can be very happy about something, and after a few minutes already cry. Such specific mood swings are due to changing hormonal levels.
Many women during this stage of pregnancy become overly aggressive and irritable. An increase in the blood of the female sex hormone, progesterone, leads to the appearance of such changes in mood. It is one of the most important hormonal substances during pregnancy.
During this period, the woman also undergoes some changes in mental activity. Thus, concentration of attention and short-term memory gradually begin to decrease. This is a physiological feature during pregnancy.
A pregnant woman's ability to perform complex tasks that require special concentration of attention decreases. This leads to the fact that at work she can get tired faster.
Doctors often repeat that mothers-to-be should not worry. This phrase is extremely important and not at all trivial. During pregnancy, a woman's ability to endure intense psychoemotional influences significantly decreases.
Due to its physiological characteristics, it becomes easily vulnerable in various stressful situations. In order to protect your body from stress, a mother-to-be should always be in a good mood and have an optimistic attitude.
Changes in the hormonal background contribute to the fact that a woman's sleepiness and general weakness increase. So, in the daytime she feels that she is very sleepy. Some expectant mothers may have difficulty falling asleep.
Many women note that at 3-4 weeks of pregnancy, they strongly felt various smells. In some cases, such a change in their sense of smell caused them extreme discomfort. For example, being in a smoky room or dining room could cause them to experience severe nausea or even vomiting.
Dyspeptic disorders
A characteristic clinical sign characteristic of this period is the appearance of changes associated with dyspepsia. One of them is the appearance of nausea... Unfortunately, almost every woman who has already become a mother is familiar with this symptom.
This symptom occurs mainly in the morning. In some cases, the nausea can be debilitating. Some women may feel severe nausea throughout the day. This contributes to a decrease in appetite and a distortion in eating behavior.
In order to reduce the manifestation of nausea, expectant mothers begin to eat lemons and other citrus fruits, dissolve mint candies. In some cases, such measures only help to reduce this adverse symptom.
Against the background of debilitating nausea, a woman may vomit. It usually occurs in the morning. However, exceptions are possible. In some cases, vomiting develops against the background of complete well-being. Its appearance can also be provoked by the use of a product.
A rather specific clinical sign that can develop at this stage of pregnancy is a change in taste. So, a woman is no longer happy with her favorite food. She seems to her more bland and tasteless.
At this time, the expectant mother may develop a craving for spicy or spicy foods. Also, some pregnant women may want to eat flavored chips or croutons. The abundance of flavoring agents makes their taste brighter. Often women begin to feel a strong need for fast food or food, generously flavored with various spices.
Some women may have increased salivation. This phenomenon is largely facilitated by the changing hormonal background. The intense work of the salivary glands also affects the woman's taste preferences during this period.
Changes in the functioning of the reproductive organs
During the initial period of pregnancy, the level of female sex hormones begins to change. This is due to nature so that the intrauterine development of the baby proceeds as it should. Changes in hormonal levels lead to the fact that the physiology of the female genital organs begins to change.
One of the characteristic changes is breast engorgement. The mammary glands become denser, swell and slightly increase in size. Some women develop chest pain. It manifests itself especially strongly during palpation (feeling). However, some women note that by this stage of pregnancy, their breasts have already ceased to hurt.
These changes are individual, and their severity is different. If the expectant mother has fibrocystic mastopathy or other diseases of the mammary glands, adverse symptoms may be somewhat more intense.
The appearance of a specific secretion from the vagina is also a fairly characteristic symptom of this period of pregnancy. Allocations can be very different. The amount of discharge is often also different.
In the fourth week, the expectant mother is waiting for the appearance of her period and, as a rule, does not know at all about the presence of pregnancy. In some women, bloody discharge from the genital tract may appear at this time. They perceive them as regular periods and do not go to the pharmacy for a pregnancy test. Doctors note that often such situations are genetic in nature... So, if a mother, grandmother or sister had "menstruation" during the first weeks of pregnancy, then there is a high probability of developing similar symptoms in the woman herself.
The "dirty trick" from the genital tract can be a symptom of a wide variety of conditions. Quite physiological reasons can also lead to its appearance. In this case, the appearance of discharge is due to female pregnancy hormones.
Spotting bleeding from the genital tract can also be a sign of some pathologies of the reproductive organs. So, for example, inflammatory and traumatic injuries of the cervix are accompanied by the development of this adverse symptom. Only a gynecologist can distinguish the norm from pathology. To do this, he conducts a clinical examination for the expectant mother on a gynecological chair. During this simple examination, the doctor will be able to identify signs of pregnancy, as well as determine the presence of concomitant diseases of the reproductive organs in a woman.
Discharge from the genital tract is also brown. The appearance of such a symptom can also be quite physiological. If the discharge does not have a fetid odor and is produced in small quantities, then this is, as a rule, a consequence of the normal course of pregnancy.
In most cases, a woman's vaginal discharge at this stage of carrying a baby has a light color. He has no smell or very little. It resembles a light or transparent liquid discharge from the genital tract. The amount of discharge may vary.
If, against the background of the appearance of dark brown discharge, a woman has a pulling pain in the lower abdomen or in the lower back, then she should immediately contact her doctor. Such symptoms can be a manifestation of the onset of a spontaneous miscarriage. In this case, a mandatory clinical examination by a gynecologist is required.
Yellow foul-smelling discharge from the genital tract may be due to the onset of a bacterial infection. In this case, as a rule, the general well-being of the pregnant woman also worsens. She may have a rise in body temperature or soreness in the lower abdomen.
The appearance of yellow profuse discharge is a significant reason to see a doctor. In this case, the doctor should take a smear for bacteriological examination. This laboratory test will accurately detect the pathogenic microflora that has caused bacterial inflammation in the genital tract.
After the pathology is established, the doctor will prescribe a comprehensive treatment for the expectant mother. To normalize the microflora of the vagina and eliminate the pathogenic doctor may advise with the help of antibacterial drugs. It is impossible to take such funds on your own, since many antibiotics can have an adverse effect on the fetus. That is why they are appointed by specialists only for strict medical reasons.
The choice should be made by an experienced physician. While taking antibacterial agents, the general condition of the mother, as well as her baby, is necessarily assessed.
Abundant spotting is a very unfavorable clinical sign. If a woman has a lot of blood from the vagina, then this may be a manifestation of the onset of spontaneous abortion. Often this symptom is accompanied by the appearance of pain in the lower abdomen. With the development of these clinical signs, the expectant mother should urgently call for medical help.
A woman can notice the appearance of blood on her underwear after having sex. In this case, the unpleasant symptoms completely disappear on the second day after intercourse.
Pregnancy does not require a complete restriction of sexual life. If everything is going well, then you should not be afraid for the baby. The couple should only choose more comfortable positions. If the pregnancy is proceeding with complications, then in this case it is better to discuss the possibility of a sexual life with an obstetrician-gynecologist.
Painful sensations in the spine
In early pregnancy, women may experience mild back discomfort. As the fetus grows in the mother's belly, this clinical sign will begin to progress.
A woman feels that her back hurts during this period, as a rule, after performing any physical activity. It is important to note that the intensity of the exercise that leads to pain can be quite familiar.
Most often, soreness appears in the lumbar region. In some women, the pain syndrome also covers the coccyx area. Unpleasant sensations in these anatomical zones can appear in a woman after a long stay in an uncomfortable position. Often expectant mothers who work in the office and sit for a long time complain about the appearance of pain in the lower back and tailbone.
Lifting weights can also make a woman feel like she has lower back pain. It is best not to lift heavy objects during pregnancy. This recommendation should be followed not only in the first weeks, but also throughout the entire period of bearing the baby.
Women suffering from diseases of the musculoskeletal system may feel somewhat more unpleasant symptoms.So, if the expectant mother has osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine, then even daily household loads can lead to the appearance of pain in the lumbar region.
In order for the soreness in the spine to bother a woman as little as possible, she needs to carefully monitor her daily routine and rest more. It is better to exclude intense sports activities during pregnancy... A great choice for expectant mothers will be various breathing practices and exercises aimed at general relaxation.
In some cases, a woman may experience a pulling sensation in the lower abdomen. They can have both physiological and pathological causes. The active development of the baby in the uterus leads to the fact that his mother has tingling or pulling pains in the lower abdomen. They occur, as a rule, at any time of the day. The severity of such manifestations can be very different. For many women, this symptom manifests itself so little that they practically do not feel it.
The pathological course of pregnancy, leading to its spontaneous termination, can lead to the appearance of spasmodic contractions in the lower third of the abdomen. They usually appear suddenly against the background of a woman's complete well-being. In this case, it is very important to provide timely medical care.
Hormonal changes can exacerbate many of the chronic diseases that a woman has. So, the expectant mother may feel that her ovary hurts on the right or left side. Usually, this symptom manifests itself in women who have neoplasms or various cysts in the area of this sex gland.
A slight soreness may be present at this stage in all women. However, the progression of pain syndrome is an extremely unfavorable sign. The appearance of intense pain in the ovarian area is a reason for contacting a gynecologist. In this case, the doctor may recommend a transvaginal ultrasound. This is necessary to exclude concomitant pathologies that could lead to the appearance of this symptom in a pregnant woman.
Possible pathologies in the mother
Pregnancy is a special condition for every female body. The changes that arise at this time are necessary not only to ensure the growing need for the work of the vital internal organs of a woman, but also for the possibility of optimal intrauterine development of her baby.
So, during this period, interesting changes in the functioning of the immune system begin to occur. A small embryo, which at this stage of its life consists of only a few cells, already has its own genetic set of chromosomes. This is due to the fusion of the female and male germ cells during conception.
The presence of such a biologically foreign "object" in the female body should serve as a kind of signal for the immune system to remove it. However, this does not happen. This feature is due to nature in order for natural intrauterine development to be possible.
In order for the baby to be able to fully grow and develop in the mother's belly, physiological mechanisms are activated. So, the work of the woman's immune system is somewhat reduced. This contributes to the fact that rejection of the fetus does not occur during the normal course of pregnancy.
However, this change also has a number of negative aspects. Weakening of immunity provokes a decrease in the resistance of the female body to various infectious diseases. Therefore, pregnant women significantly increase the risk of possible colds and respiratory diseases.
The peak of colds occurs during the cold season. If the expectant mother does not protect her body from the piercing wind or is in contact with people with viral infections, then she can also easily get sick.
The symptoms of a respiratory illness can vary. A sick woman usually has a runny nose, reduced sense of smell and perception of tastes. The transition of inflammation to the oropharynx contributes to the appearance of redness and perspiration. The woman begins to feel that her throat is severely sore.
An active inflammatory process contributes to an increase in body temperature. It usually rises to subfebrile numbers. Against the background of high body temperature, the expectant mother, as a rule, develops fever and chills. Intoxication symptoms are accompanied by increased dry mouth and intense thirst.
SARS during pregnancy can be quite a dangerous disease. The risk of developing complications of such an infection for the fetus is significantly high. It is for this reason that doctors do not recommend that expectant mothers cope with the disease alone. Uncontrolled use of drugs can cause irreparable harm to the baby in the future.
In order to avoid this, it is better to consult a doctor immediately when the first signs of SARS or influenza appear. If a woman's body temperature has risen greatly, then she should not go to the clinic on her own. In this case, it is better to call a doctor at home.
During treatment, it is very important to monitor your overall well-being. If, despite the therapy, the general condition does not improve, then in this case the treatment tactics should be changed.
Expectant mothers should not recklessly use traditional medicine methods. Some of them can harm your baby. If a woman doubts the possibility of using a method, then she should definitely consult with her doctor before using it.
The effect of specific hormones on the female body
A woman's hormonal background is always very labile. During pregnancy, it changes quite significantly.
The menstrual cycle is characterized by the strict alternation of certain female hormones. This is necessary for ovulation to occur. Without this biological process, natural conception is impossible.
After fertilization, the physiology of the female body changes. The next menstrual cycle does not start because conception has already occurred. This condition is accompanied by an increase in specific hormones in the blood. The most important of these are progesterone and chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). These hormonal substances provide the physiological state of the female body necessary for the development of the baby.
About progesterone
This hormone is essential during pregnancy. Its concentration rises rapidly in the bloodstream of a pregnant woman immediately after conception. Progesterone has many different effects on the female body.
It is initially synthesized by the corpus luteum. In the future, the placenta will also participate in the formation of progesterone. This hormone is necessary not only in the first trimester, but also during the entire period of gestation.
- With the help of progesterone in the female body, the size of the uterus increases.
- It also affects the contractile function of the myometrium, which is a specific prevention of possible spontaneous miscarriage.
- Progesterone affects the accumulation of subcutaneous fat. This is necessary in order for the expectant mother to have enough energy reserves to carry the baby.
- Affects the immune system.
- Under the influence of progesterone, the mammary glands are enlarged and engorged.
- It also affects the ligamentous apparatus of the small pelvis. This feature is necessary for the gradual preparation of the female body for future labor.
- Participates in the process of intrauterine development of the baby.
In each period of pregnancy, there are certain norms for the content of this hormone in the blood. So, in the fourth week its concentration is approximately 18 Nmol / l.
Before going to the laboratory for the analysis to determine progesterone, the expectant mother should exclude the use of hormonal drugs. On the eve of the study, you should not eat fatty and fried foods. It is also undesirable to engage in too intense sports.
About hCG
Chorionic gonatropin (HCG) is also an important pregnancy hormone. Its concentration in the blood begins to increase after the fertilization of the egg. This hormone is released under the influence of a special anatomical education - chorion.
HCG performs many different biological functions in the female body. It is necessary to maintain optimal functioning of the corpus luteum, affects the formation of steroid substances in the bloodstream of the fetus. Under the influence of hCG, the immune system decreases.
The first weeks of pregnancy are characterized by a fairly intense increase in the level of this hormone in the blood. Such dynamics of an increase in the level of hCG in the blood is necessary for the full development of the baby in the mother's belly.
It is possible to determine the level of hCG both in the blood and in the urine. The strips used to establish pregnancy are also based on the method for determining the chorionic gonadotropin. Nowadays, they can be bought at any pharmacy. At 4 weeks gestation, a pregnancy test will show a positive result.
Embryonic development of the baby
At this stage of pregnancy, the small embryo is still very tiny. Little time has passed since the moment of conception. But during this time, the embryo has already acquired its specific appearance.
The first 4 weeks of a baby's intrauterine life are characterized by its intensive development. At this time, the child's body is very actively developing and growing rapidly. In the child, all vital internal organs begin to be laid, and the main systems are formed.
During pregnancy, the baby is fed by his mother. His own autonomous work of blood vessels does not occur yet. The baby receives all the nutrients through the blood supply system shared with the mother. Oxygen also enters his body through the blood vessels.
The full formation of the cardiovascular system in the fetus occurs somewhat later. In the future, the child will have his own little heart and even develop a heartbeat.
Anatomical features
At this stage of intrauterine development, a small embryo looks like a disc. His body has three layers. These include the yolk sac, amnion, and chorion.
The outer shell is the chorion, which gives rise to the formation of important extraembryonic organs. The placenta will form from it in the future.
The amnion is a special cavity. The active development of the baby will continue in it. Over time, a fetal bladder forms from this amniotic structure.
The development of the baby throughout his intrauterine life takes place in the aquatic environment. The amnion is a very important anatomical structure. It protects the baby from adverse external factors.
The yolk sac until the 8th week of pregnancy performs a very important function: it participates in the process of hematopoiesis necessary for the fetus. From the cells of the middle layer, organs of the musculoskeletal system, circulatory and excretory systems will be formed in the future. This layer is also called mesoderm.
The cells of the inner layer (endoderm) will later participate in the formation of the organs of the gastrointestinal tract, thyroid gland, and the respiratory system.
The 4th week is characterized by the beginning of the formation of the baby's body. The embryo's head begins to change. During this period, it is somewhat reminiscent of a droplet. The size of a small embryo at this stage of its development is approximately 4 mm.
At 4 weeks of gestation, the threat of miscarriage is very high. Women with a complicated gynecological history are at increased risk. So, if the expectant mother's previous pregnancies ended tragically, then in this case the risk of spontaneous abortion increases.
If a pregnant woman suddenly has a severe pain syndrome in the lower abdomen and there is spotting or even blood, then she should immediately consult a doctor.
In order to reduce the likelihood of miscarriage, the expectant mother should follow all the recommendations of her doctor. Limiting intense physical activity and the correct daily routine will improve the well-being of the expectant mother.
See the next video for what happens in the 4th week of pregnancy.
