Are you going to be a new mother? Let's learn about the first 4 weeks of pregnancy (Pregnancy: Weeks 1-4)

Are you a new mom ? Or are you thinking about having a baby? Then you probably have a lot of questions on your mind. "How will my body feel?", "What's going on inside the womb?" You're probably wondering. We're bringing you this series of articles to give you confidence, knowledge, and preparation for this amazing 9-month journey. So let's start this journey by talking about the little miracle that happens inside the womb.

Weeks 1 and 2: Still just a little hope!

What's wrong with your baby?

It's amazing to think about, isn't it? At this point, your baby is still just a small hope in your heart. Since it's hard to know exactly when conception occurred, doctors calculate your due date from the day your last menstrual cycle started. Yes, you heard that right. For ease of calculation, you're considered 'pregnant' even before you're pregnant!

What happens to you when you become a mother?

During this time, your body is preparing for pregnancy. The lining of your uterus begins to thicken. When you start menstruating, your ovaries contain about 20 eggs (ova) inside fluid-filled sacs called follicles. If you have a normal menstrual cycle every 28 days, ovulation occurs about 14 days later. This means that one or two mature eggs are released from one of those follicles and travel down the fallopian tube, waiting to be fertilized .

Don't worry, don't be discouraged if you don't get pregnant the first time. Depending on a woman's age, the chance of getting pregnant is about 25% per month. So you may have to try a few times.

A tip for this week:

It's important to see your obstetrician-gynecologist (OB-GYN) as soon as you start thinking about having a baby. They can help you talk about genetic risks, environmental factors, and lifestyle changes you need to make to have a healthy pregnancy. The most important thing is to start taking 0.4 milligrams (400 micrograms) of folic acid per day. Taking folic acid several months before you conceive can greatly reduce the risk of neural tube defects, such as spina bifida.

Week 3: Congratulations! A little plant has sprouted!

What's wrong with your baby?

Congratulations! If your egg and your partner's sperm have successfully fused, you now have an embryo inside your womb. But it's very small, about the size of a pinhead, to be exact. It doesn't look like a baby at this point, it's just a cluster of about 100 rapidly dividing and growing cells. The outer layer of this cluster of cells will form the placenta, while the inner layer will form the embryo, your baby.

What happens to you when you become a mother?

You may not feel any changes in your body at this point. Remember, you haven't even stopped menstruating yet. But the hormones inside your body are already working, stopping your period and starting to support pregnancy.

A tip for this week:

Can't wait? Get a home pregnancy test kit and try it. They are just as reliable as a urine test done by a doctor. You can also get the results quickly. To get accurate results, read the instructions carefully and make sure to use only clean equipment.

Week 4: You will start to feel small changes too.

What's wrong with your baby?

The fertilized egg now implants itself into the wall of your uterus . This is called implantation. This can happen about 4 days after fertilization.

What happens to you when you become a mother?

You should be expecting your period this week. If it doesn't happen, it could be the first sign that you're pregnant. Also, as the embryo implants in your uterus, you may notice a little spotting. Don't worry, that's normal. By now, the amniotic cavity, which is filled with amniotic fluid around your baby, and the placenta, which provides oxygen and nutrients to your baby, are starting to form in your uterus. Your breasts may feel a little sore and swollen. You may not notice any changes. You'll likely get a positive result on a home pregnancy test by the end of this week.

A tip for this week:

Try to eat healthily. That means eating a balanced diet from different food groups. Drink at least 6-8 glasses of water a day. But you don't need to "eat for two." You only need a small amount of extra calories during pregnancy, about 300 a day. Don't worry about missing out on your early meals because of morning sickness. If you're already eating well, your baby will get the nutrition it needs.

What really happens inside the womb?

As the fertilized egg develops, a watertight sac forms around it. This gradually fills with fluid. This is called the amniotic sac . This provides protection and a cushion for the growing embryo.

The placenta is developing during this time. It is a flat, round organ that provides nutrients to your baby and carries the baby's waste products to your body.

By now, the baby's facial features are starting to develop. Two large black spots appear for the eyes. The mouth, lower jaw, and throat are also developing. Blood cells are forming, preparing to begin circulating blood.

By the end of the first month, your baby is about 1/4 inch long – that's smaller than a grain of rice!

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