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Pregnancy Diary Week 4

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Pregnancy Diary Week 4

Although it is very early days, you are aware of changes, but you may not even have done a pregnancy test as yet. Here’s some of what can be happening for you during pregnancy week 4 in terms of baby’s development and how you’re feeling. Plus check out the nutritional benefits of oranges for you and your baby.

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How your baby is growing

What you can expect  at this time

A beneficial food for your pregnancy nutrition

 

Pregnancy Diary Week 4: How Is Your Baby Growing?

By this time, the journey of the zygote from the fallopian tube to the uterus should have been completed. On the fourth week, the uterus begins to thicken and it continues until the 4th month of your pregnancy. The zygote settles into the uterine lining and divides into two. The first half becomes the embryo and the second half forms a placenta which serves as the baby’s lifeline until the delivery.

During this period, the embryo begins to develop. The inner layer develops into the baby’s liver, lungs and the digestive system. This layer is known as the endoderm. Also known as the mesoderm, the second layer develops into the baby’s kidneys, sex organ, bones, muscles and heart. On the other hand, the outer layer, which is known as ectoderm, forms into the baby’s nervous system as well as the eyes, hair, skin. The growth and development of the organs at this stage is impressively rapid.

What you can expect

At this stage, the signs and symptoms of your pregnancy might have become more evident. Just like the major changes taking place inside the body, you should also anticipate some changes outside the body. You may begin experiencing some PMS like symptoms. You probably have complained about dizziness, light-headedness, abdominal cramps, pains, morning sickness and feelings of fainting.

Early pregnancy symptoms such as mood swings and cramping may be obvious to you. Bloating can also be expected at this point in time. Blame it on the progesterone. This hormone slows down your digestion in order to allow nutrients to enter into your bloodstream. You’re constantly changing mood can also be blamed on your hormones. You might have a slight bleeding due to the implantation of zygote into your uterus.

 

You might even notice a little pressure on your stomach but this shouldn’t cause you to worry. It is pretty normal during this stage. Your breasts may become more tender and appear bigger, and as time passes by, you will notice significant change in their size. Also, the breasts can become sore, tingly and fuller. This is due to the increase of hormones such as progesterone and oestrogen in your system.

By this time, your heart should be beating more rapidly. In fact, you might have an additional 15 beats per minute. And you may feel tired most of the time, which may lead to you falling asleep more frequently. By the end of the 4th week of your pregnancy, your baby should be 1/25 inches long which is equivalent to a period (dot).

Oranges For Pregnancy Nutrition

 

Oranges are probably one of the best fruits to eat during this early stage of pregnancy. Oranges are citrus fruits which provide additional protection to pregnant women. According to research, taking at least one orange in a day makes the body less prone to infections. It offers plenty of vitamin C which provides additional protection and resistance against diseases such as cancer and osteoporosis.

Furthermore, oranges are packed with massive amount of Vitamin B6 which is beneficial during the process of haemoglobin production. In effect, pregnant women are less likely to suffer from haemoglobin deficiency during this very crucial stage.

Oranges are also beneficial to the baby. This citrus fruit contains ample amount of folic acid and Vitamin B which are beneficial in the baby’s brain development. The fruit also contains high level of potassium and iron which ply vital roles in protecting the cardiovascular system of the body, especially the heart. Though this citrus fruit is beneficial to the body, pregnant women should not eat more than 2-3 regular size oranges, as it can cause stomach acidity, stomach cramps and heartburn.

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Pregnancy Diary Week 4

Select a Week of the Pregnancy Diary to start viewing information specific to each week

 

Pregnancy Diary Week 1 Pregnancy Diary Week 2 Pregnancy Diary Week 3 Pregnancy Diary Week 4 Pregnancy Diary Week 5 Pregnancy Diary Week 6 Pregnancy Diary Week 7 Pregnancy Diary Week 8 Pregnancy Diary Week 9 Pregnancy Diary Week 10 Pregnancy Diary Week 11 Pregnancy Diary Week 12 Pregnancy Diary Week 13 Pregnancy Diary Week 14 Pregnancy Diary Week 15 Pregnancy Diary Week 16 Pregnancy Diary Week 17 Pregnancy Diary Week 18 Pregnancy Diary Week 19 Pregnancy Diary Week 20 Pregnancy Diary Week 21 Pregnancy Diary Week 22 Pregnancy Diary Week 23 Pregnancy Diary Week 24 Pregnancy Diary Week 25 Pregnancy Diary Week 26 Pregnancy Diary Week 27 Pregnancy Diary Week 28 Pregnancy Diary Week 29 Pregnancy Diary Week 30 Pregnancy Diary Week 31 Pregnancy Diary Week 32 Pregnancy Diary Week 33 Pregnancy Diary Week 34 Pregnancy Diary Week 35 Pregnancy Diary Week 36 Pregnancy Diary Week 37 Pregnancy Diary Week 38 Pregnancy Diary Week 39 Pregnancy Diary Week 40

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.