The fourth week of pregnancy is characterized by the appearance in the expectant mother of the first changes in her health. The baby is still very tiny, but its active development in the mother's belly contributes to the occurrence of specific symptoms in her.
Determination of the term
Doctors refer 4 weeks to the first trimester of pregnancy. At this time, the first specific changes begin to occur in the female body. The presence of a small embryo in the uterus already contributes to a change in the hormonal background in his mother.
To determine the age of the baby during its embryonic development, specialists use a special counting system. It includes obstetric weeks and months. This method differs from the calendar method, which is mainly used by expectant mothers. The fourth obstetric week corresponds to the second week from fertilization.
Types of vaginal discharge
At the initial stage of bearing a baby, the concentration of female sex hormones begins to change. Nature came up with this so that the embryonic development of the child proceeds as it should. Changes in the work of the hormonal background contribute to a change in the physiology of the female genital organs.
The emergence of a specific secretion from the vagina is also an important clinical sign characteristic of a given gestational age. Vaginal discharge can be very different in color, volume and density.
Bloody
In the fourth week, a woman waits for the appearance of her monthly period and, as a rule, does not even suspect that she is pregnant. That is why the appearance of bloody discharge from the genital tract does not cause any concern in her. Many women may even confuse them with the "arrival" of menstruation.
If the bloody discharge appeared with a slight delay, then the expectant mother begins to suspect that she is expecting a baby. In this case, she goes to the pharmacy for a pregnancy test.
During the first weeks of pregnancy, the concentration of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) in the blood rises. Pregnancy tests sold in pharmacies are based on the determination of this substance in urine. In the fourth week, such a test will show a positive result.
At this stage of pregnancy, some women may experience specific bleeding, reminiscent of menstrual bleeding. Their color can be from pinkish to crimson. Such discharge is usually not abundant.
Gynecologists note that such specific secretions are of a genetic nature. A pregnant woman should ask her mom if she had the same symptoms during pregnancy. If such a fact is present, then a woman should definitely warn her obstetrician-gynecologist about this.
Under various conditions, a "daub" from the genital tract can develop. Physiological causes may precede the onset of these symptoms. The appearance of bloody spotting in this case is facilitated by specific hormones of pregnancy.
Abundant bloody vaginal discharge can be a clinical symptom of various pathologies of the reproductive organs. For example, pink and red discharge can be a manifestation of inflammatory diseases of the cervix.
Injury to the delicate mucous membrane can also cause bloody discharge from the genital tract. Some women report that they notice small blood stains on their underwear after having sex. Couples should not limit their sexual activity during normal pregnancy.
If a woman has any diseases of the reproductive organs, then in this case, it is better for her to discuss the possibility of having sex at this stage of pregnancy with her attending physician.
In order to distinguish the norm from pathology, a clinical examination is required on the gynecological chair. During this examination, the doctor determines the condition of the reproductive organs, and also reveals all the signs of pregnancy.
Abundant spotting is a very unfavorable clinical sign. If a woman has a lot of blood from the genital tract, then this may be a manifestation of the onset of spontaneous abortion. As a rule, this symptom is accompanied by the development of severe pain in the lower abdomen. When these clinical signs appear, the expectant mother should urgently call for medical help.
Brown
Discharge from the genital tract can be dark in color. Physiological reasons can also lead to the development of this symptom. The changing hormonal background contributes to the fact that the expectant mother has light brown discharge.
During the normal course of pregnancy at this time, they do not have a fetid odor and are excreted in small quantities. At the same time, the woman does not have soreness in the lower abdomen. At the same time, the general state of health does not change. If, against the background of the appearance of such discharge, the expectant mother has a pulling pain in the lower abdomen or in the lower back, then she should immediately contact her obstetrician-gynecologist
These clinical signs can be a manifestation of the onset of a spontaneous miscarriage. In this situation, a mandatory clinical examination by a doctor is required.
Light
In most cases, vaginal discharge in the expectant mother at this stage of pregnancy is transparent. They can also be light or beige. As a rule, such secretions have no smell, or it is quite insignificant. The volume of such secretions from the genital tract is different.
During pregnancy, it is very important to monitor the hygiene of the external genital organs.... To do this, a woman should only follow all the recommendations of her attending physician.
It is better to choose underwear from natural fabrics. Synthetic products contribute to the disturbance of pH in the intimate area and increase the likelihood of inflammatory diseases of the reproductive organs.
Yellow
A yellowish, offensive vaginal discharge is often a manifestation of the onset of a bacterial infection. Such pathologies, as a rule, are accompanied by a deterioration in the general well-being of the expectant mother. So, her body temperature may rise, as well as lower abdominal pain.
If yellow discharge appears, accompanied by an unpleasant odor, the expectant mother should definitely contact an obstetrician-gynecologist. The severity of adverse symptoms largely depends on the intensity and severity of the onset of the inflammatory process. Allocation in this case can be both meager and abundant.
To clarify the condition that has arisen, the doctor must take a smear from the vagina and send it to the laboratory for bacteriological examination. Such a study will allow you to accurately identify the pathogenic microflora that caused the bacterial inflammation in the genital tract.
After establishing the cause of the infectious disease, the gynecologist will prescribe a comprehensive treatment for the expectant mother. In order to normalize the vaginal microflora and eliminate pathogenic microflora, the specialist will prescribe antibacterial drugs to the expectant mother. You cannot use these drugs uncontrollably.
Some of the antibacterial agents can have adverse effects on the fetus. There are certain medical indications for their appointment, so only an experienced doctor should prescribe them. When carrying out antibacterial treatment, it is mandatory to monitor the effectiveness... For this, the doctor will definitely prescribe the expectant mother a second smear and a general blood test.
White curdled
The appearance of such vaginal discharge is, as a rule, a sign of the onset of candidiasis. Candida fungi play an active role in the development of this disease. A decrease in immunity in the organs of the intimate zone contributes to their active growth and development.
A characteristic sign of this pathology is cheesy vaginal discharge, which in most cases is accompanied by the development of itching. Itching can be quite severe and significantly disrupt the usual lifestyle of a pregnant woman.
When symptoms of candidiasis appear, it is very important to start treatment right away. For this, funds are used that have a predominantly local effect.
In the choice of treatment, experts give preference to drugs that have a detrimental effect on the yeast-like fungi of Candida, and also do not negatively affect the fetus.
Abdominal changes and sensations
Many of the subjective sensations that arise are "attributed" to the expectant mother to premenstrual syndrome (PMS). Indeed, to some extent these manifestations are similar. Often a woman in this short period simply does not know that she is already expecting a baby.
In some cases, the expectant mother may experience a pulling sensation in the lower abdomen. They can be caused by both physiological and pathological reasons.
ANDThe active growth of the child in the uterus contributes to the fact that the expectant mother aches and tingles the lower abdomen. This symptom can occur at any time of the day. The severity of this manifestation can be very different. Some women who have already become mothers note that they did not feel any uncomfortable sensations at this stage of pregnancy.
The pathological course of pregnancy, leading to its spontaneous termination, may be accompanied by the appearance of spasmodic contractions in the lower third of the abdomen. Usually, such symptoms appear suddenly against the background of a woman's complete well-being.
In this situation, it is very important to provide timely medical care.
Changes in the hormonal background can lead to an exacerbation of some chronic diseases that the expectant mother suffers from. So, a pregnant woman may feel that her ovary hurts or tingles on the right or left side. Usually, this symptom manifests itself in expectant mothers with neoplasms or various ovarian cysts.
A slight soreness in the lower abdomen may be present in all pregnant women. It is unfavorable if this symptom begins to progress.
If the pain in the lower abdomen increases and the general well-being of the expectant mother worsens, then she should immediately seek medical help.
In this case, the doctor may recommend that she undergo a transvaginal ultrasound. This examination may be necessary to exclude concomitant pathologies that could lead to the appearance of these adverse symptoms in a pregnant woman.
For information on why the stomach hurts in early pregnancy, see the next video.
