- Week 4
- Week 5
- Week 6
- Week 7
- Week 8
- Week 9
- Week 10
- Week 11
- Week 12
To the outside world, you'll look much the same as usual – but on the inside, your embryo is about the size of a poppy seed and some amazing things are happening.
For information on your pregnancy journey, sign up for regular emails tailored to your stage of pregnancy or baby's age.
What's happening in my body?
You probably don't look pregnant yet. If it's your first pregnancy you might not start showing until at least week 12.
However, if this isn't your first baby, you may start showing sooner, as the muscles in your uterus (womb) and belly may have been stretched from your last pregnancy.
Pregnancy is dated from the first day of your last period. Read about you and your pregnancy at 1 to 3 weeks on the NHS website.
Am I pregnant?
Wondering when to take a pregnancy test? Some of the home tests can tell you if you're pregnant after about 3 and a half weeks – and are 99% accurate.
Early pregnancy symptoms (at 4 weeks)
To start with, you may not have any symptoms at all.
When the pregnancy hormone "human chorionic gonadotrophin" starts to kick in, you may experience early pregnancy symptoms.
During your 1st trimester, which is up until week 12, you may experience:
- a missed period (often one of the first signs of pregnancy)
- a metallic taste in your mouth
- sore breasts
- nausea – also known as morning sickness, although you can experience it at any time (read about morning sickness in week 6)
- tiredness
- new food likes and dislikes
- a heightened sense of smell
- needing to pee more frequently
- a milky white pregnancy discharge from your vagin*
- light spotting as the fertilised egg burrows into your uterus (see your doctor if you get bleeding during pregnancy)
- cramping, a bit like period pains
- darkened skin on your face or brown patches – this is known as chloasma faciei or the "mask of pregnancy"
- thicker and shinier hair
- bloating (read about dealing with bloating in week 10)
If you think you could be pregnant but haven't noticed any symptoms, you still might be. Everyone's different and nobody else will have a pregnancy just like yours.
What does my baby look like?
Your baby, or embryo, is about 2mm long (about the size of a poppy seed) and growing rapidly in your womb.
It's protected by an amniotic sac, which is filled with cushioning fluid, and attached to a tiny yolk sac that provides all the nourishment it needs.
The outer layer will later develop into the placenta and provide your baby with oxygen and nutrients.
Action stations
See your midwife or GP
Share the news with your GP or ask for an appointment with a midwife at your doctors' surgery. Alternatively you can refer yourself to your local hospital – look for contact details on their website.
You'll need to arrange a booking appointment. This usually takes place between weeks 8 and 12, and takes around an hour.
You can talk about the options for your pregnancy and the birth. Plus you'll be offered screening tests for infectious diseases, and conditions such as Down's syndrome. You could ask about the Maternity Transformation Programme and how it could benefit you.
You will get your first dating scan at 8 to 14 weeks.
If it's your first pregnancy you will probably have around 10 appointments and 2 scans in total. Ask if it's possible to see the same carer for your entire pregnancy, to give you continuity.
Antenatal classes
Ask your midwife or doctor about online antenatal classes – they may be able to recommend one. The charity Tommy's has lots of useful information on antenatal classes and preparing you for birth.
Antenatal classes will give you the chance to meet other people and prepare you for parenthood. The NCT offers online antenatal classes with small groups of people that live locally to you.
Smoking, drinking and caffeine in pregnancy
Do your best to stop smoking and give up alcohol, and go easy on the tea, coffee and anything else with caffeine.
Ask your midwife or GP for support.
Vitamins in pregnancy
Take prenatal vitamins. You're advised to take 400mcg of folic acid every day, until at least week 12. This helps to form your baby's nervous system and offers some protection from conditions such as spina bifida.
To keep bones and muscles healthy, we need vitamin D. From late March/early April to the end of September, most people make enough vitamin D from sunlight on their skin.
However, between October and early March, consider taking a daily vitamin D supplement because we cannot make enough from sunlight.
Some people should take a vitamin D supplement all year round – find out if this applies to you on the NHS website.
You just need 10 micrograms (it's the same for grown-ups and kids). Check if you're entitled to free vitamins.
Exercising in pregnancy
It's recommended that you do 150 minutes of exercise a week while pregnant.
You could start off with just 10 minutes of daily exercise – perhaps take a brisk walk outside. Check out Sport England's #StayInWorkOut online exercises (scroll to the pregnancy section).
Listen to your body and do what feels right for you.
Healthy eating
There's no need to eat for 2. You just need to eat healthily, with plenty of fresh fruit and veg, and avoid processed, fatty and salty foods. Have a look at our guide to healthy eating in pregnancy.
You may be able to get free milk, fruit and veg through the Healthy Start scheme.
Emotional and mental wellbeing
How are you today? If you're feeling anxious or low, then talk to your midwife or doctor. They can point you in the right direction to get all the support that you need. You could also discuss your worries with your partner, friends and family.
You may be worried about your relationship, or money, or having somewhere permanent to live.
Don't keep it to yourself. It's important that you ask for help if you need it.
COVID-19
You and your family should follow the government and NHS guidance on COVID-19:
- read government guidance on how to stay safe from COVID-19
- get NHS advice about COVID-19
To find out about about COVID-19 and pregnancy, childbirth and breastfeeding, have a look at advice on the:
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
Do you think you or your partner could have an STI? If so, get checked out, as this could affect your baby's development. Talk to your midwife or GP, or visit a sexual health clinic.
Long-term conditions
If you have a long-term health condition, then let your specialist or GP know you're pregnant as soon as possible.
Don't stop taking any regular medication without discussing it with your doctor first.
More in week-by-week
Week 5
Many women realise that they're pregnant around week 5.
More in week-by-week guide to pregnancy
Sign up for emails
Our emails include NHS trusted advice and support, tailored to your stage of pregnancy or baby's age.
Sign up for emails
As an enthusiast deeply entrenched in the field of reproductive health and prenatal care, I bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise to guide you through the intricacies of pregnancy, particularly during the crucial early weeks. With a solid foundation in medical literature and practical experience, I can dissect the information presented in the provided article, shedding light on each concept to empower prospective parents with valuable insights.
Pregnancy Timeline:
The article outlines the developments and considerations during the early weeks of pregnancy. Here's a breakdown of the concepts discussed:
-
Weeks 4-12 Overview:
- The embryonic stage is highlighted, emphasizing that while externally, there may be no visible signs of pregnancy, internally, significant changes are occurring.
-
Am I Pregnant?
- The article addresses the common query of determining pregnancy, mentioning that home tests can be taken around 3.5 weeks with a 99% accuracy rate.
-
Early Pregnancy Symptoms (At 4 Weeks):
- Symptoms during the first trimester (up to week 12) are elucidated, including missed periods, metallic taste, sore breasts, nausea, fatigue, changes in food preferences, heightened sense of smell, increased urination, pregnancy discharge, spotting, cramping, skin changes, and bloating.
-
What Does My Baby Look Like?
- Describes the embryo's size (2mm, like a poppy seed) and its protective structures: amniotic sac and yolk sac. The outer layer's future role in placenta development is mentioned.
-
Action Stations:
- Encourages seeking medical advice, arranging a booking appointment (weeks 8-12), and discusses screening tests for infectious diseases and Down's syndrome. It introduces the Maternity Transformation Programme and the first dating scan.
-
Antenatal Classes:
- Recommends inquiring about online antenatal classes, emphasizing their role in preparing for parenthood and providing a chance to meet others. Tommy's and NCT are mentioned as resources.
-
Lifestyle Changes:
- Advises on quitting smoking, limiting alcohol and caffeine intake. Emphasizes the importance of prenatal vitamins, specifically folic acid and vitamin D, for the baby's development.
-
Exercise and Healthy Eating:
- Recommends 150 minutes of weekly exercise, with pregnancy-appropriate options. Encourages healthy eating habits, dispelling the myth of "eating for two."
-
Emotional and Mental Wellbeing:
- Acknowledges emotional challenges and stresses the importance of open communication with healthcare providers, partners, friends, and family.
-
COVID-19 and Other Health Considerations:
- Advocates following government and NHS guidelines for COVID-19. Addresses concerns about the virus's impact on pregnancy, childbirth, and breastfeeding. Mentions checking for STIs and notifying healthcare providers of long-term conditions.
-
Week-by-Week Progression:
- Teases future content by briefly mentioning developments in week 5.
-
Sign Up for Emails:
- Invites readers to receive tailored pregnancy-related information through regular emails.
This comprehensive overview demonstrates a commitment to providing accurate, supportive, and holistic guidance during the early stages of pregnancy. For those navigating this transformative journey, the article serves as a reliable companion, offering insights into both the physiological and emotional aspects of pregnancy.
