Week 3 of pregnancy is when implantation occurs — the fertilised egg travels from the fallopian tube into the uterus, where it becomes a blastocyst and burrows into the uterine lining within 72 hours. The blastocyst begins producing human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG), the hormone detected by pregnancy tests, which signals the ovaries to stop releasing eggs and triggers increased progesterone and oestrogen to maintain the uterine lining. Early symptoms such as implantation bleeding, fatigue, nausea, frequent urination, and breast tenderness may already be present before a test confirms the pregnancy. Nutritionally, folic acid — found in cereals, spinach, beef liver, oranges, peanuts, and black-eyed peas — is particularly important at this stage, and bananas offer additional benefits through their Vitamin B6, potassium, folate, and iron content.
- During week 3 of pregnancy, implantation occurs within 72 hours of the egg and sperm meeting in the fallopian tube.
- The developing baby at week 3 is called a blastocyst, a tiny ball composed of hundreds of rapidly dividing cells.
- The blastocyst produces the hormone human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG), which is the hormone detected by pregnancy tests to confirm pregnancy.
- If basal body temperature remains elevated for at least 18 days, it can be a sign of pregnancy during week 3.
- Folic acid, beneficial for baby's growth, can be derived from foods including cereals, spinach, beef liver, orange, peanuts, and black-eyed peas.
- Bananas contain key pregnancy nutrients including Vitamin B6, Vitamin C, Vitamin B12, folate, calcium, magnesium, iron, zinc, potassium, fibre, protein, and carbohydrate.
- Vitamin B6 found in bananas supports the formation of antibodies, red blood cells, and neurotransmitters, and can help relieve nausea and vomiting during early pregnancy.
Pregnancy Diary Week 3
Discover your pregnancy journey
Pregnancy Diary Week 3
In this period, ovulation and fertilisation have hopefully taken place. During this week, implantation will take place.
After the egg and sperm meet in the fallopian tube, the zygote moves down through the uterus where cell division immediately occurs. Within 72 hours, implantation should occur.
Discover
How your baby is growing
What you can expect at this time
A beneficial food for your pregnancy nutrition
Pregnancy Diary Week 3: How Is Your Baby Growing?
The baby inside your uterus is now called a blastocyst, which looks like a tiny ball that is composed of hundreds of cells, that divide in such an impressively rapid manner.
Later on, the blastocyst develops into a placenta that produces pregnancy hormone human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG).
The hormone signals the ovaries to cease from releasing eggs. It also triggers an increased production of progesterone and oestrogen. This prevents the shedding of the lining of the uterus. Human chorionic gonadotrophin is the hormone which your pregnancy test detects and confirms that you are indeed pregnant.
During this period, the amniotic fluid begins to form around the cluster of cells thereby forming amniotic sac. The amniotic fluid protects and cushions the baby for the next few months.
At this point in time, the little blastocyst begins receiving nutrients and oxygen, and discard waste products.
What you can expect
You may have noticed a little spotting at this time. This is known as the implantation bleeding. It is caused by the burrowing of the egg into the uterine lining. Even before your doctor confirms it or before the pregnancy test reveals it, some women may have already experience several signs and symptoms of pregnancy.
These signs include frequent urination, increased sensitivity to odours, nausea, vomiting, food aversions, spotting, bleeding, fatigue and tender and swollen breasts.
Fatigue is often experienced during this period because of an increased progesterone level and the body requires extra effort in making the baby.
If you have been monitoring your basal body temperature, and you noticed that the temperature remains elevated for at least 18 days, it can be a sign that you are pregnant. Morning sickness may begin to occur this week.
You could experience dizziness and your partner may complain about your mood swings, though you are pretty sure that you are just being reasonable.
At this point in time, you may have noticed changes in your discharge. Your cervical mucus becomes stretchier, cloudy, thin and whitish which makes it a perfect condition for the sperm to travel. Understanding the progress of your pregnancy makes you proactive about your own health and your baby’s condition.
It can also give you ample information about what to expect with your baby during this period and you will know what changes you may experience. In effect, it can help you determine the best ways on how to cope with significant changes you are to undergo. Sometimes, a change in diet can help you in dealing with these changes successfully.
So, what are the best foods to take during the third week of pregnancy and how can it help pregnant women? If you have not started taking pregnancy vitamins, you should start taking them now.
Folic acid is beneficial in the growth of your baby. This vitamin is best derived from cereals, spinach, beef liver, orange, peanuts and black-eyed peas.
Bananas For Pregnancy Nutrition
Did you know that some people believe that eating bananas can increase your likelihood of having a baby boy? This is a tale which many pregnant women tend to believe in especially when they aim to have a baby boy.
Banana is probably one of the best foods to take during this early stage of pregnancy. The fruit is fortified with essential vitamins and minerals which can be very helpful to your body as well as the baby. It contains fabulous nutrients such as Vitamin B6, Vitamin C, fibre and potassium.
Bananas are also excellent sources of folate, calcium, magnesium, iron, Zinc, Vitamin B12, protein and carbohydrate which can be beneficial both for the mother and the baby. Potassium can keep you energised by maintaining electrolyte and fluid balance in the body. It facilitates in the transmission of nerve impulses in the body.
Lack of potassium is said to be one of the major reasons behind the occurrence of leg cramps. Its Vitamin B6 content is beneficial in optimising the baby’s growth and development. It helps in the formation of antibodies, red blood cells and neurotransmitters as well as relieving nausea and vomiting.
Bananas are also beneficial in keeping the levels of cholesterol, blood sugar and blood pressure at idea levels.
Pregnancy Diary Week 3
Select a Week of the Pregnancy Diary to start viewing information specific to each week
DISCLAIMER
All articles on the blog and website are intended as information only. Please do not consider any of the information provided here as a substitute for medical advice. At all times seek medical advice directly with your own doctor and medical team.
ANNOUNCEMENT
This website was formerly Merrion Fetal Health. The clinic has undergone a rebrand and is now known as Merrion Ultrasound.
What is a blastocyst in early pregnancy?
A blastocyst is what the baby is called during week 3 of pregnancy — a tiny ball composed of hundreds of rapidly dividing cells. It later develops into a placenta that produces the pregnancy hormone human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG).
What is implantation and when does it happen in pregnancy?
Implantation is when the fertilised egg burrows into the uterine lining of the uterus. After the egg and sperm meet in the fallopian tube, the zygote moves down through the uterus and implantation should occur within 72 hours.
What is implantation bleeding?
Implantation bleeding is light spotting caused by the egg burrowing into the uterine lining during week 3 of pregnancy. It is one of the earliest physical signs that conception may have occurred.
What are the early signs and symptoms of pregnancy at week 3?
Early signs of pregnancy at week 3 include frequent urination, increased sensitivity to odours, nausea, vomiting, food aversions, spotting, fatigue, and tender or swollen breasts. Morning sickness and mood swings may also begin to occur during this week.
What does hCG do during early pregnancy?
Human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) signals the ovaries to stop releasing eggs and triggers increased production of progesterone and oestrogen, which prevents the shedding of the uterine lining. It is also the hormone that pregnancy tests detect to confirm pregnancy.
What is the amniotic sac and when does it begin to form?
The amniotic sac begins to form during week 3 of pregnancy, as amniotic fluid forms around the cluster of cells. The amniotic fluid protects and cushions the baby for the following months.
What vitamins and nutrients do bananas provide during pregnancy?
Bananas contain Vitamin B6, Vitamin C, fibre, potassium, folate, calcium, magnesium, iron, zinc, Vitamin B12, protein, and carbohydrate. These nutrients support the mother's health and the baby's growth and development during early pregnancy.
Why is Vitamin B6 important during pregnancy?
Vitamin B6, found in bananas, helps optimise the baby's growth and development by supporting the formation of antibodies, red blood cells, and neurotransmitters. It is also beneficial in relieving nausea and vomiting during pregnancy.
Which foods are good sources of folic acid during pregnancy?
Good dietary sources of folic acid during pregnancy include cereals, spinach, beef liver, orange, peanuts, and black-eyed peas. Folic acid is beneficial for the growth of the baby and pregnancy vitamins should be started by week 3 if not already taken.
What does a basal body temperature reading indicate in early pregnancy?
If basal body temperature remains elevated for at least 18 days, it can be a sign of pregnancy. Monitoring basal body temperature is one way women can identify potential pregnancy before a formal test or medical confirmation.