05/18/2020
The time has finally arrived for the moms-to-be to take the urine pregnancy test. You must be excited to confirm this news and start the preparation to get into the new phase of life. It’s a wonderful feeling and by this time a month has almost passed successfully. There are just 8 months to go from here.
Taking a pregnancy test
Usually, moms-to-be find out a little later about their pregnancy so if you’re already looking to take a pregnancy test, then you’ve found out about your pregnancy earlier than most women. A lot of women are in their 5th or 4th week when they get to know about their pregnancy. As the symptoms are not very obvious in the first 4 weeks.
There are two ways by which a pregnancy test can be performed:
Firstly, you can purchase the urine pregnancy kit from any pharmacy and easily do it at home. The strips need to be dipped in the urine sample. The urine sample can be collected in a cup and dip the strip in it or you can sit on a toilet seat and let the urine fall directly on the pregnancy strip. The change of color on the strip will be an indicator of pregnancy. Every home pregnancy test kit is different so you need to read the instructions carefully on the leaflet of the kit to perform it.
Secondly, there is another option of a blood test to detect the level of hCG in the blood. hCG is called human chorionic gonadotropin which is secreted by the placenta after the process of implantation i.e. attachment of the embryo on the wall of the uterus. This test can only be performed with the consultation of a general practitioner.
Your body is gearing up to adapt to the new changes. The small embryo is on its journey to becoming a tiny human being inside your womb.
Size of your baby
The baby is very small when you’re 4 weeks pregnant. During the 4th week, your baby is busy settling into his/her new home, uterus. The baby will now grow in its new home for the next 8 months.
Here are some of the signs and symptoms that your body will experience in the 4th week:
Implantation bleeding:
As soon as the embryo implants itself on the uterus, light pink or brownish spotting will occur. It can be accompanied by abdominal pain. Don’t confuse it with your periods as the bleeding would be very less in quantity or it would be very light spotting. This bleeding will resolve on its own. This will probably occur before your upcoming period due date. You don’t need to worry if implantation bleeding does not occur because not every woman experiences it during her pregnancy.
In case the bleeding is heavy or there is some foul smell in it, you need to immediately consult your general practitioner. There can be a chance of a miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy. Both of these cases are a medical emergency and need immediate medical attention.
Tender breasts:
Your breasts will start to become heavy and tender during this time. This is an early sign of pregnancy which is happening due to the production of estrogen and progesterone. You might also notice blue veins emerging under the skin of your breasts because the veins are now busy to supply nutrients to your developing baby. You need to wear a supportive bra to prevent any form of discomfort.
Mild cramping:
You might experience some mild form of abdominal pain or cramping. It is not unusual so there is nothing to be worried about. This is the result of the implantation process and this pain will subside on its own. If the pain becomes unbearable, then you need to consult your doctor immediately.
Mood swings:
As your body is preparing itself for pregnancy, there is a surge of new hormones in your blood. Until the 12th week of pregnancy, you will feel like you are on an emotional rollercoaster. It’s quite normal to go through this phase and you might end up crying on small things.
Morning sickness:
At this stage of pregnancy, more than half of the women experience nausea and vomiting. The body is undergoing a major change because of the secretion of hormones and the implantation process. And morning sickness occurs as a result of it. Taking tension or stress can also make you vomit or you might feel nausea, dizzy or light-headed. If this becomes severe, you can ask a doctor for medication.
Tiredness:
Your body is bound to feel tired, exhausted and even fatigued due to the sudden rush of hormones. This can be accompanied by headaches. You don’t need to panic, just relax and take it easy. Try to rest whenever possible.
Frequent urination:
The most common symptom of pregnancy is frequent urination. It happens due to the hormonal changes occurring in the body. Moreover, your expanding uterus is putting pressure on your bladder.
Your belly when you’re 4 weeks pregnant
Your tummy is certainly bloated but you don’t look pregnant at all. But that doesn’t mean that you can continue to live the careless life you were living before. Now you should start taking care of yourself. Avoid things that can be harmful to your body and your baby. Stop wearing
tight clothes and see if you’ve any loose-fitting clothes in your closet. Otherwise, you’ll have to go shopping soon.
If you don’t have a history of medical complications, there’s no need to see a doctor yet. But it’s better to be safe than sorry. Most probably when you will go to a doctor, they will congratulate you and will ask you to come back a month later for your first prenatal appointment. And in most cases, an ultrasound is also not needed when you’re just 4 weeks pregnant.
Some tips for this week
Sleep well: Sleep for at least 8-10 hours every night. Your body needs more sleep when you’re
pregnant.
Eat a balanced diet: Eat a variety of food and increase your vegetable and fruit intake.
Do some light exercise: Exercise is very important for your health and the health of the baby. Drink plenty of water: Drink at least 8-10 glasses of water every day.
Don’t stop taking medicines by yourself: If you have an illness or a medical condition, inform your gynecologist about the medicines that you are taking. And in the same way, inform the person who prescribed those medicines that you’re pregnant right away.
Lastly, start taking a prenatal vitamin if you haven’t started taking it yet, limit your caffeine intake, and avoid smoking and alcohol.
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The time has finally arrived for the moms-to-be to take the urine pregnancy test. You must be excited to confirm this news and start the...