Week 4
Mum:
Counting from the first day of your last menstrual period, you are 4 weeks pregnant! A pregnancy test would probably show positive by now. This measures the amounts of the pregnancy hormone present in your urine. You might begin to feel tired, urinate more frequently, experience mood swings, and possibly have tender or swollen breasts. These are the most common early signs of pregnancy.
The first trimester is the most critical time for the formation of your baby. So from this point on, be a healthy machine. Eat well and exercise in moderation. Instead of lunch errands, think lunch naps. Everything you do is for two, so take a deep breath, daydream often and let your body perform its miraculous work. Be sure to avoid environmental hazards which also include alcohol, smoke and second hand smoke and drugs.
Baby:
The fertilized egg has made its 7-10 day trip to the uterus, where it implants cozily into the endometrial surface. At this very moment, your baby’s ‘home’ is under rapid construction. The blastocyst has divided into two parts, the first part is forming the placenta and the second part will become the embryo. The two layers that make up the amniotic bag of waters are newly formed, and the very beginning of the connecting stalk, the umbilical cord, has appeared. Until your placenta is fully functioning, the yolk sac will feed your baby. A transvaginal ultrasound can show a gestational sac.
Dad:
Reading the pregnancy test is a very emotional and exciting time. You will have tons of questions popping in your mind until you actually see the result. Are we pregnant? Did we do the right decision? Should we have timed a pregnancy later? Would we cope with all the responsibilities that a baby brings along with it? Whatever the result keep in mind that the most important thing is to support each other and together plan your journey towards welcoming and bringing up your precious angel.
