Welcome to the very first injection of Motherhood Diaries’ pregnancy weekly diaries, which dates all the way back to 2010! This personal weekly journal was how Motherhood Diaries was born and I’m so glad to share an updated version for you. If you are pregnant, then please follow along. You can get personalised weekly emails straight to your inbox too by subscribing here. I include a science part related to you and your baby every week of your pregnancy. My journey through pregnancy begins here, at 4 weeks pregnant. Good luck on your own personal journey!
Are you pregnant? Grab your free pregnancy pack now – details inside!
I was only a week late for my period, but I had known straight away that something was not quite right with my insides. I didn’t experience any of the normal PMS symptoms (except for the mood swings), and I wasn’t bloated like I normally am in the run-up to my period. Was I stressed? Did I have my dates wrong? Were my husband and I careful?
I confided in hubby, who insisted we wait a few more days before I bought a pregnancy test kit, as we had experienced multiple scares before, and the result was always the same – a late welcome from Aunt Flo and Cousin Red. However, this time, something inside had told me not to wait any longer because I felt different. That night, I sucked in my stomach as I stared at myself in the mirror and reassured my reflection there was no way I was pregnant. I couldn’t sleep that nightβ¦
The next day I bought two pregnancy test kits.
I had never been so shocked in my entire life when I glanced at the results of the first pregnancy test* with one eye open and it was a big fat positive! I almost fell over the toilet when I tested myself the second time and the Clearblue Pregnancy Test* told me I was 2-3 weeks pregnant (or 4-5 weeks based on my period cycle).
My husband and I looked at each other, stunned. When it had finally sunk in, after a moment or two, our facial paralysis slowly softened to smiles. After all this freaking out – or lack thereof – our reactions were one of joy!
I never, ever thought that I would experience elation upon finding out about my pregnancy. Also I was really surprised to find no pregnancy symptoms at 4 weeks and it made me wonder about those who find out about their pregnancies early. Can you be pregnant and not know it? And, this enormous, life-changing news had forced me to mull over my life. We were renting a flat in London and I had always envisioned a house with a garden, enough money in the bank, a great job that paid well, and the ability to set up a Child Trust Fund for my children.
But I just felt like we hadn’t really accomplished any of those things yet. Could we raise a child now? Would we be able to afford the childcare costs? What about when I stopped working? My husband and I depended on my income too, so if I wanted to be a stay-at-home mum (or at least until our baby started school) how would we get by?
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I had temped at an international legal consultancy firm and was earning my keep that way. I really wanted this job to last until December. Otherwise, I would have to go on the job hunt again, and I wasn’t a particularly desirable candidate, so finding a job would prove even more difficult. Why did I quit my permanent full-time job in February?
As I had found out so early on that I was pregnant, waiting a further two months for medical confirmation from the doctor was difficult, as I was already growing impatient. So, I downloaded the iPregnancy app for the iPhone, which had predicted I was due on 10 December 2010. I had swiped through forthcoming weeks and got to as far as 20 weeks before I had to put the iPhone down. I was now massively overwhelmed, yet I couldn’t pinpoint exactly how I was feeling.
We phoned our parents to tell them the news. One of the highlights at 4 weeks pregnant was hearing my mum squeal with glee in the background that she was going to become a grandmother, while my dad had suddenly lost the use of his voice. But it hadn’t really sunk in for me yet. And, in the back of my mind, I was worried that telling our families would put a hex on the pregnancy. I was only four weeks pregnant, so literally anything could happen from now, right? Should I be thinking about the possibility of a miscarriage? And I felt nothing. I was pregnant with no pregnancy symptoms and it felt so strange.
A little word of adviceβtake each week one step at a time. If your pregnancy was unplanned, like mine, you’ll either freak out at the way your body will change or you’ll become increasingly excited at what’s in store for you from now on, but become overwhelmed with all this new information to process. I just freaked outβ¦
A fun fact –Β Your baby is a ball of cells (an embryo) – about the size of an apple pip!
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The science part – your pregnancy at 4 weeks
4 Weeks Pregnant – Your Baby’s Development
- Your baby at 4 weeks is an embryo and is now the size of a poppy seed.
- The embryo is developing and growing within the lining of your womb.
- The outer cells link up to your blood supply
- The inner cells divide into two, and then later, three layers
Inner Layer (Endoderm) | Breathing and digestive systems (lung, stomach, gut, and bladder) |
Middle Layer (Mesoderm) | Heart, blood vessels, muscles, and bones |
Outer Layer (Ectoderm) | Brain and nervous system, the eye lenses, tooth enamel, skin, and nails. |
- The embryo receives nourishment from a tiny yolk sac, which, in a few weeks later, will form into the placenta.
- Your baby will be less than 3cm long.
4 weeks pregnant – signs / symptoms
- Welcome to the first trimester! It may be too early to think about baby names but if you have been working on getting pregnant for a while now you’ve probably got the names planned already (like we did!) But your little one is here now and so now it’s all about trying to encourage a healthy pregnancy from this point on.
- Confirming your pregnancy at 4 Weeks is tough if you haven’t even had your period yet. If you havenβt done so already, take a home pregnancy test* to confirm you are pregnant, preferably on the day you were supposed to have your period.
- Your pregnancy is calculated from your last period. Check your due date here.
- Early pregnancy symptoms at 4 weeks – Your body will change but at 4 weeks pregnant, what are the symptoms you might ask?
- 4 weeks pregnant symptoms – You may not notice any symptoms yet or you may experience breast tenderness, morning sickness and slight bleeding.
- 4 weeks pregnant – your symptoms – You may wonder where your pregnant belly at 4 weeks is. Still too early to show or even have any signs of bloating.
- You will need to book an appointment with your GP if you havenβt done so already, so doctors can perform a brief check-up, including taking a urine sample to check for any urinary tract infections.
- Your doctor should explain antenatal care, lifestyle and nutritional advice.
- You should start taking folic acid daily to protect the baby from spinal cord defects like Spina Bifida. You can take supplements like Vitabiotics Pregnacare* which contain the right amount of folic acid for you to take every day.
- Don’t worry if you don’t have any pregnancy symptoms at week 4. It’s still so early and your body needs time to adjust to its new pregnant state.
4 weeks pregnant – pictures – Your Baby – What does 4 weeks pregnant look like?
This is what your baby looks like 4 weeks into pregnancy:
Your next steps – Key takeaways at 4 weeks pregnant
- 4 weeks pregnant – questions for your healthcare provider – once you receive a positive pregnancy test, call your doctor or midwife to set up your first prenatal appointment
- 4 Weeks Pregnant – things to consider – Start eating whole foods and avoid smoking and alcohol
- Tips for 4 weeks pregnant – If you haven’t done so already, your pregnancy checklist at 4 weeks pregnant should include taking prenatal vitamins*
- Exercise is a great way to ease you into pregnancy and keep both you and the baby healthy. You should be able to do the activities you did before but speak to your doctor about any vigorous exercises to see if changes to your routine are necessary.
- 4 weeks pregnant – your checklist – Make sure you know the food and drink you should avoid during pregnancy. Ask your GP for more information
FAQ
What are the common first signs of pregnancy? How can I tell if I’m pregnant? What are the symptoms?
Other questions asked were:
- What are early signs of pregnancy?
- What are the signs of pregnancy at week 4?
- How do you feel at 4 weeks pregnant?
- When can a woman start feeling pregnancy symptoms?
I’ve written an extensive article on the first signs of pregnancy – you can find it here. Other common symptoms are fatigue, bloating, nausea and a missed period.
What are the early signs of pregnancy? Find out here!
What are the less common pregnancy symptoms at 4 weeks?
You may find some light brown spotting, dark patches on your face or belly cramps. These symptoms are less common.
How many months is 4 weeks pregnant?
Other questions asked were:
- How is a pregnancy week calculated?
Weeks 1-4 of pregnancy is considered the first month of pregnancy, so you are 1 month pregnant.
How big is a baby at 4 weeks pregnant?
Other questions asked were:
- How big is baby at 4 weeks?
Your baby is the size of a poppy seed at 4 weeks pregnant.
How does your stomach feel at 4 weeks pregnant?
“At 4 weeks pregnant, you might experience a bit of bloating and cramping particularly in your abdomen, as your uterine lining is getting a bit thicker, and the swelling means your womb is taking up more space than usual.”
https://www.pampers.com/en-us/pregnancy/pregnancy-calendar/4-weeks-pregnant
How big is a pregnant belly at 4 weeks?
Other questions asked were:
- What does 4 weeks pregnant look like?
- 4 weeks pregnant belly bloated – is this normal?
Do not expect a baby bump at 4 weeks because the baby is the size of a poppy seed, so teeny, tiny! But you may have some bloating due to gas. Bloating in early pregnancy 4 weeks is common because of the fluctuating hormones at this stage.
Is there a heartbeat at 4 weeks pregnant?
“At 4 weeks pregnant, your little blastocyst doesn’t have a heartbeat quite yet. A blood vessel has begun to form, which will become the heart and circulatory system in the next several weeks. The heart will continue to develop until the 10th week but will begin to beat in the 5th or 6th week.”
https://www.thebump.com/pregnancy-week-by-week/4-weeks-pregnant
Is it normal to be really tired at 4 weeks pregnant?
4th week pregnancy symptoms may include tiredness as your body is gearing up for pregnancy. It could also be down to the hormone levels hCG rising too.
What does it mean when you’re 4 weeks pregnant and you have no pregnancy symptoms?
Other questions asked were:
- Can I be pregnant and have no pregnancy symptoms
- Why don’t I have symptoms if I’m 4 weeks pregnant?
- Can you be pregnant with no symptoms except missed period?
- 4 weeks pregnant, no sore breasts. Is this normal?
- I’m 4 weeks pregnant with no symptoms. Is this normal?
- I’m 4 weeks pregnant and symptoms come and go. Should this be happening?
- Do some women have no pregnancy symptoms at all?
- Does having no symptoms mean I’ll have a miscarriage?
- I have a complete absence of pregnancy symptoms. Should I be worried?
- When do pregnancy symptoms start?
- What are the earliest pregnancy symptoms to look out for?
- Is it ok to have no symptoms in early pregnancy?
- Should I be worried if I don’t have morning sickness at 4 weeks?
- Can I be pregnant with no symptoms except missed period?
- 4 weeks pregnant, no symptoms should I be worried?
- Why don’t I have symptoms if I’m 4 weeks pregnant?
- Is it possible to be pregnant and not have any symptoms at all?
- Is it possible to not feel any pregnancy symptoms until 4 months along?
- What sort of symptoms should you experience if you are 4 weeks and 5 days pregnant?
- 4.5 weeks pregnant no symptoms. Should I be worried?
- Can you be a month pregnant with no symptoms?
- 4 weeks signs of pregnancy please because I have none and I’m worried
- Changes or loss of pregnancy symptoms. What should I do?
4 weeks pregnant and no symptoms? Don’t fret, because this is normal. Some women get all the pregnancy symptoms from day one and some experience no symptoms at all, even throughout the pregnancy. That makes you very lucky!
Generally, symptoms start around 6 weeks and peak at around 11 weeks pregnant, but every woman is different. If you’re worried about your pregnancy 4th week symptoms, or lack of symptoms, or your symptoms change or vanish, speak to your healthcare provider and get your baby checked out. You can always get an early reassurance scan to reassure you everything is ok with the baby, but you won’t be able to see much before 6 weeks. Don’t forget everyone is different and pregnancy symptoms in 4th week can change.
I am 9 days past ovulation with no symptoms. Am I not pregnant?
Other questions asked were:
- Period due in 2 days no symptoms could I be pregnant?
During week 1-4 of pregnancy there are not enough hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) levels to confirm a pregnancy, even though implantation takes place at around 2 weeks. You should take a pregnancy test at 4 weeks at around the time you miss the first day of your period to confirm your pregnancy. If you get a positive pregnancy test at 4 weeks, then you are pregnant.
How could you get a negative pregnancy test after 4 weeks of missing my period?
“Pregnancy tests vary in how soon they can detect hCG in your urine. It is possible that although an egg may be fertilized, your body has not started secreting enough hCG to register as positive on a test. Your body needs time for the hormone to rise to a high enough level to be detected.”
https://progyny.com/education/trying-to-conceive/negative-pregnancy-test-missed-period
What do you feel at 4 weeks during an ectopic pregnancy?
“If you do have symptoms, they tend to develop between the 4th and 12th week of pregnancy. Symptoms can include a combination of: a missed period and other signs of pregnancy. tummy pain low down on one side.”
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/ectopic-pregnancy/
Is it normal to have no discharge during early pregnancy?
“Typically, no. While many women notice an increase in vaginal discharge during pregnancy, you’re not likely to notice this symptom in the week or two just after conception. And it’s not one of the early pregnancy symptoms that women commonly report during those first few weeks.”
Babycenter.com
How many days after intercourse are symptoms of pregnancy going to show?
The earliest you might expect to βfeel pregnantβ after sex would be around seven days. More commonly, it takes between two to four weeks after sex before early pregnancy symptoms are noticeable. Keep in mind, pregnancy symptoms won’t appear until after embryo implantation.
verywellfamily.com
Where is the baby located at 4 weeks?
In a pregnancy of 4 weeks, fluid surrounds the baby or embryo in the amniotic sac and the outer layer of the sac develops into the placenta. Cells from the placenta will grow into the wall of the womb while your baby’s cells are busy dividing.
Is it normal to have no constipation during pregnancy?
Constipation is a well-known symptom of pregnancy but being regular is a good sign you’re eating the right foods to help move things along. So, yes, it’s good to not be constipated during pregnancy!
How is diarrhea a sign of pregnancy implantation?
Yes there can be some stomach issues during implantation due to hormone changes.
Is it possible to be 2-3 months pregnant and not know it?
Yes. If this is your first pregnancy, you may not even show at three months. Women with strong core muscles might not show until 4 to 5 months and if you don’t have any symptoms, you might not even realise you’re pregnant. You should have missed a period though. If you are bleeding during pregnancy, check in with your doctor to rule out any issues with the pregnancy itself.
If you take a pregnancy test 2 weeks after sex and it’s negative can it still change?
The earlier you take a test, the less accurate the pregnancy test will be. If you take a test before your missed period or less than two weeks after, the test may produce a false negative. For an accurate result, wait until the first day after your missed period to take a pregnancy test.
I am 8 days late today, my periods are pretty regular and I have never been this late. I took a pregnancy test yesterday and it came out negative. Am I pregnant still if it came out negative?
You can find the answer here: https://qr.ae/pGHZ7Y
I am 37 days late for my period and I have got several home pregnancy tests and all were negative. What could it be?
You can find the answer here: https://qr.ae/pGHZR8
Note: These are just general ideas of how you and your baby are getting on. Donβt forget that every baby develops differently. If you are concerned about your babyβs development, please consult your doctor or midwife.
Are you pregnant? Grab your free pregnancy pack now – details inside!
Want to learn the following at five weeks pregnant?
- How your baby’s growing at five weeks of pregnancy
- Pregnancy symptoms at five weeks
- What you need to know at five weeks of pregnancy
- Your pregnancy to-do list at five weeks
- Why am I already showing at 5 weeks pregnant?
Then click on the button below to take you to the next week of pregnancy!
*Illustrations by Charlotte Watkins.
Victoria Mylittlel says
Congratulation!!! We didnt tell our families until week 8 i think, and the rest until the end of first trimester as it deems to be the most dangerous time, but we all different if you felt sharing your happiness with everyone its cool
Leyla Preston says
I know! It’s so tough to hold it in, but well done for waiting until week 8, which I’m sure can’t have been easy for you. We did hold off on telling our friends until Week 13, but even that was so hard. Thanks for the comment and well wishes. And congratulations to you too! π Xx