4 weeks after conception (6th week of pregnancy) - a fairly early period and the appearance of the fetus does not affect the appearance of the mother, i.e. the stomach has not visually changed its shape or size. An enlarged uterus at this time is comparable to its state during menstruation and does not pay attention to itself.
What are the symptoms and signs of pregnancy at 4 weeks after conception?
There are several ways to detect the presence of pregnancy during this period:
- fixing the absence of menstruation (however, if there is a delay, it is very insignificant);
- using a special test (but, due to insufficient production of human chorionic gonadotropin, this approach is usually poorly effective);
- signing up for an ultrasound.
The work of higher nervous activity will be adjusted under the influence of the dominant pregnancy. This may be expressed in the desire to comfortably equip your place of stay (even working).
In addition, the tearfulness and irritability should be replaced by calmness (in the absence of exposure to strong irritating factors from the outside). But, in some cases, the harmonious emotional state can change up to depressive.
We expect a change in taste preferences and a reaction to aversion to certain flavors (or, on the contrary, to enjoy toxic smells, like the smell of fresh paint). The appetite may increase dramatically (most often this is the case), or, on the contrary, decrease dramatically, then you may have to eat practically through force to provide the embryo with nutrients.
Violent reaction occurs not only in taste and smell, but even in the form of food (regardless of whether this reaction is positive or not). In some cases, the 4th week from conception does not affect the condition of the expectant mother and no unusual symptoms are recorded.
It is noteworthy that those women who are very passionately waiting and hoping for the onset of pregnancy, can feel the so-called imaginary pregnancy.
From the side and according to their own feelings, it looks like a real pregnancy, with the only difference that the main element is missing - the embryo. But this does not prevent the formation of the dominant pregnancy and even the cessation of menstruation (this phenomenon is called amenorrhea).
Characteristics of sensations of women during the 4th week after conception
The 4th week from conception is characterized by increased activity of the development of the fetus.
All the signs and symptoms characteristic of early pregnancy manifest at this time. Usually, a woman in this period is particularly sensitive.
She carefully monitors all changes in the internal state. The number of "basic" set of sensations of women on the 4th week from conception (6th week of pregnancy) include:
- emotionality associated with hormonal surges;
- nausea and general weakness (toxicosis), but this symptom is usually associated with a later period;
- pain with palpation (palpation) of the breasts;
- painful and pulling sensations may appear in the lower abdomen;
- drowsiness.
However, these sensations become really problematic only in some cases.
If there is no threat of miscarriage (this is detected by a gynecologist), a variety of unexplained secretions, as well as increased uterine tone, then you can safely continue to live in your usual rhythm, not excluding light physical activity from the daily routine. In part, this not only does not harm, but also helps the proper development of the fetus, and also reduces the risk of gaining excess weight before the end of pregnancy.
Fetal development in the fourth week of pregnancy
Of course, girls are wondering what happens in the 4th week of pregnancy from conception directly with the fetus? During the fourth week, the embryo has not yet reached the point of final localization. Therefore, at this stage there is a risk of ectopic pregnancy formation (fixation and further growth of the embryo inside the birth canal).
At the end of the week, the embryo normally reaches a size of 5.4 mm.
A special place in the fourth week from conception is devoted to the formation of extra-embryonic organs, which allow you to organize the environment where the fetus will live.
This implies the creation of systems that provide respiration and nutrition of the embryo, as well as hormonal regulation of the process of gestation. But the future baby is still extremely defenseless until the placenta is finally formed.
Vaginal discharge during the 4th week after conception
The criticality of 4-5 weeks from conception is due to the fact that with a stable cycle, this period should have another menstruation. For years, a well-established cycle can to some extent influence the course of pregnancy, causing changes in the hormonal background and the occurrence of spotting in the blood. However, usually everything ends with half measures and this menstruation does not occur.
However, one should not lose vigilance. If there is a brown discharge, detachment of the uterine mucosa can be suspected.
In these circumstances, the situation is not critical, but alarming. It is advisable, with all the necessary precautions to go to the doctor watching you. May have to go to save.
During the fourth week of pregnancy, as well as during the first trimester as a whole, the hormone progesterone has a strong influence on the state of the body. In particular, it changes the biochemical nature of vaginal secretions.
Their viscosity and viscosity increase, the color becomes whitish. But, as long as the discharge is not accompanied by itching or burning - this phenomenon is within the normal range.
But abundant clear discharge should be alerted.
Analyzes and ultrasound
When performing ultrasound on the 4th week after conception, you can establish the fact of the presence of the fetus and its localization in the uterus.
During an ultrasound, the fetus looks more like a small dot on the screen and it’s really worth noting. Accordingly, the sex of the future child is still impossible to determine.
The four-week period is a fairly early stage of fetal development, therefore, an ultrasound examination is carried out only with the instructions of the doctor. The procedure itself is performed using a transvaginal sensor, shallowly immersed in the vagina.
In a situation where the test shows the presence of pregnancy, but on the ultrasound the fetus was not fixed in the uterus, a second ultrasound examination is mandatory (approximately after 7 days).
In addition, a referral will be given to the analysis that identifies beta-hCG. These measures allow early detection of ectopic pregnancy and taking the necessary actions.
It is also possible to carry out duplex scanning, in which the dilation of the uterine vessels is detected (normal state during pregnancy, ensuring the delivery of nutrients to the fetus).
How to recognize the threat of miscarriage?
The vulnerability of a four-week embryo is very high. If the symptoms of pregnancy (previously quite noticeable) disappear sharply, then there are good reasons to suspect the possibility of miscarriage. In this case, you need to visit a specialist as soon as possible.
Another risk vector is uterine tone. May manifest through back pain. To overcome the problem, most likely, an IV will be prescribed.
There is also a great risk of miscarriage in the presence of a severe cold.
Another danger: hormonal disorders. They provoke pathologies of fetal development, miscarriages and fading of pregnancy.
In addition, expectant mothers should be wary of endometritis (uterine inflammation). This problem may entail placenta previa.
Tips and tricks
If at this stage the fact of pregnancy is no longer in question (thanks to a special test or ultrasound scan), then it is necessary:
- avoid hypothermia, which can lead to a cold (increased body temperature can adversely affect the health of the fetus, cause developmental pathologies, and even lead to miscarriage);
- stop drinking alcohol even in small quantities (otherwise the birth of a future child is guaranteed birth defects) and smoking;
- To abandon the excessively violent actions of an intimate nature, that is, you can engage in sex, but rather carefully;
- take care of taking vitamins with folic acid (contribute to the development of the child and the formation of internal organs), but the dosage should be selected by a specialist watching you;
- try not to be “waged” strongly on the recommendations of friends, acquaintances and even your own mother regarding methods for solving problems arising during pregnancy (recommendations can only be given by an expert and only his advice should be followed), since each pregnancy is individual and that helped one - another hurts ;
- if the temperature has risen, then you should assess the degree of risk: with indications just above 37 ° it will be enough to drink a lot of hot liquid, but from 38 ° you will have to resort to medicines (Paracetamol is best, and Aspirin is prohibited);
- taking antibiotics is highly undesirable, and if it is possible, then only as directed by a doctor;
- It is advisable to abandon junk food, although it is very difficult, given the emergence of many abnormal food addictions;
- one should not eat dry food, such an approach to food is stressful enough for the body, and in fact it is already in an unusual position to which one must get used;
- during pregnancy it is strictly forbidden to resort to means and methods aimed at losing weight (fasting, diet, taking special medications);
- to facilitate the process of defecation (constipation is a frequent problem during pregnancy) you should not grab a laxative, it is better to eat more dried apricots, beets, prunes;
- whenever possible, it is necessary to start making contact with a life partner, since not only you, but also you need to prepare for the appearance of the child.
We hope that the article was useful to you. See you again!
Additional information about the 4th week of pregnancy is in the following video.
