4 Weeks Pregnant | Week By Week Pregnancy

Summary

In this video, Mama Bridget Tyler warmly addresses new moms with a big fat positive pregnancy test. She discusses the early pregnancy symptoms like tender breasts, fatigue, and cramping, which can be mistaken for PMS. She reassures viewers that every pregnancy is unique and not all will experience these symptoms. At 4 weeks, the baby is the size of a poppy seed, with rapid cell division marking the beginning of organ development. Tyler emphasizes the importance of a whole foods diet and prenatal vitamins, specifically recommending folate over folic acid for better absorption. She promises a weekly update, creating anticipation for the next milestone.

Takeaways

• 🎉 Congratulations are in order for a big fat positive (BFP) pregnancy test result.
• 🤰 Early pregnancy symptoms can include tender or swollen breasts, sensitive nipples, fatigue, cramping, backaches, and nausea.
• 🧪 Home pregnancy tests are reliable and can confirm pregnancy about two weeks after ovulation, which is around the time of a missed period.
• 🤰 Some women may experience early signs of pregnancy similar to PMS, including cramping and pins and needle sensations.
• 🤔 Not all women will experience early pregnancy symptoms, and the absence of symptoms does not indicate a problem.
• 📅 Healthcare providers typically schedule the first appointment around 8 to 10 weeks into the pregnancy, and may request blood work earlier.
• 🌱 At 4 weeks, the baby is about the size of a poppy seed and is undergoing rapid cell division to form the basis for organs and body parts.
• 🔬 The fertilized egg has implanted into the uterine wall, and some women might experience spotting during this period.
• 🧠 Development of the baby's neural tube and heart are beginning, which will eventually form the brain and spinal cord.
• 🍎 Genetics such as sex, eye color, hair type, and blood type are determined at this early stage.
• 💊 To support early development, it's recommended to consume whole foods, avoid processed foods, and take a prenatal vitamin, with a preference for natural folate over synthetic folic acid.

Q & A

What is the purpose of the video by Mama Bridget Tyler?

The purpose of the video is to discuss the early stages of pregnancy, specifically at 4 weeks, and to provide information on what to expect in terms of baby's development and potential symptoms experienced by the mother.

At what point in the menstrual cycle can a home pregnancy test reliably confirm pregnancy?

A home pregnancy test can best confirm pregnancy when a woman has already passed the first day of her period, which is about 2 weeks after ovulation.

What are some early pregnancy symptoms that might be experienced at 4 weeks of pregnancy?

Early symptoms may include tender or swollen breasts, sensitive nipples, fatigue, cramping, backaches, and even nausea, although not all women will experience all these symptoms.

Why might some women feel pins and needle sensations in their lower belly during early pregnancy?

The pins and needle sensations could be due to the fertilized egg implanting itself into the uterine wall, a process known as implantation.

Is it normal for some women to feel more tired than usual during early pregnancy?

Yes, feeling more tired than usual is a common symptom of early pregnancy due to the body undergoing significant changes.

Why might some women experience nausea or vomiting early on in their pregnancy?

Nausea or vomiting, also known as morning sickness, can develop early in some women, although it typically occurs later in pregnancy. The exact cause is not fully understood.

What is the significance of the 8 to 10-week mark in pregnancy?

The 8 to 10-week mark is significant because it is around this time that healthcare providers often schedule the first prenatal appointment to monitor the pregnancy's progress.

What is the approximate size of a baby at 4 weeks of development?

At 4 weeks, the baby is about the size of a poppy seed.

What important developments are taking place in the baby's body at 4 weeks of pregnancy?

At 4 weeks, the fertilized egg has attached to the uterine wall, the baby's cells are rapidly dividing to form the basis for organs and body parts, and the neural tube and heart are beginning to develop.

Why is it recommended to consume whole foods and take prenatal vitamins during early pregnancy?

Consuming whole foods and taking prenatal vitamins supports the crucial early developmental milestones of the baby, providing essential nutrients for proper growth and development.

What is the difference between folate and folic acid according to the video?

Folate is a natural form of the vitamin found in whole foods, while folic acid is a synthetic form made in a laboratory. Some women may prefer folate due to genetic variations that affect their ability to metabolize folic acid.

Outlines

00:00

🎉 Pregnancy Confirmation and Early Symptoms

In this introductory paragraph, Mama Bridget Tyler congratulates viewers on their recent positive pregnancy test and introduces herself as a childbirth educator and expectant mother of her third child. She acknowledges the mix of excitement and anxiety that early pregnancy can bring, especially with the uncertainty of normalcy in the symptoms one might experience. Bridget outlines the purpose of the video, which is to discuss the development of the baby at 4 weeks and the symptoms a new mother might encounter. She also reassures viewers that despite the lack of visible signs, the at-home pregnancy test is reliable, and the symptoms they feel are similar to those of PMS, with some experiencing early morning sickness.

Keywords

💡bfp

The acronym 'bfp' stands for 'big fat positive,' which in the context of pregnancy tests, indicates a positive result for pregnancy. This term is used to express excitement and confirmation of pregnancy in the script, symbolizing the joyous news for the viewer.

💡pregnancy test

A 'pregnancy test' is a method used to detect the presence of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) in a woman's body, which is a hormone produced during pregnancy. The script mentions the reliability of at-home pregnancy tests in confirming pregnancy, which is a crucial step in the early stages of pregnancy.

💡implantation

Implantation refers to the process where the fertilized egg attaches itself to the uterine wall, marking the beginning of a pregnancy. The script discusses this as a key event at 4 weeks, highlighting the early development stages of the baby.

💡symptoms

In the context of pregnancy, 'symptoms' are the physical and emotional changes a woman experiences as a result of hormonal shifts. The script lists early pregnancy symptoms such as tender breasts, fatigue, and nausea, which are common indicators of pregnancy for many women.

💡ovulation

Ovulation is the release of an egg from the ovary, which is necessary for conception to occur. The script mentions that a pregnancy test can best confirm pregnancy about two weeks after ovulation, which is a critical time frame for understanding the conception process.

💡prenatal vitamin

A 'prenatal vitamin' is a dietary supplement taken during pregnancy to ensure the mother and developing baby receive adequate nutrients. The script emphasizes the importance of taking a prenatal vitamin, particularly one derived from whole foods, to support the baby's early development.

💡folate

Folate, also known as vitamin B9, is essential for pregnant women as it helps prevent neural tube defects in the developing baby. The script discusses the preference for natural folate over synthetic folic acid, indicating a consideration for the source and type of supplements during pregnancy.

💡MTHFR gene

The 'MTHFR gene' is involved in the metabolism of folate. Variants of this gene can affect how efficiently a person processes folic acid. The script mentions that some women may not metabolize folic acid well due to an MTHFR gene variant, which is why they recommend folate.

💡neural tube

The 'neural tube' is an embryonic structure that eventually develops into the brain and spinal cord. The script describes the neural tube's development at 4 weeks as a significant milestone in the baby's growth, indicating the complexity of early fetal development.

💡morning sickness

Morning sickness, also known as nausea and vomiting of pregnancy, is a common symptom experienced by pregnant women. The script notes that while some women may experience this early on, it is not yet a common symptom at the 4-week mark, providing insight into the variability of pregnancy symptoms.

💡whole foods

Whole foods are natural, unprocessed foods that are rich in nutrients. The script suggests that pregnant women should consume whole foods to support the baby's development, emphasizing the importance of a healthy diet during pregnancy.

Highlights

Introduction to the video for new moms with a big fat positive (BFP) pregnancy test.

The video discusses what happens at 4 weeks of pregnancy and the symptoms a new mom might experience.

At 4 weeks, there are no outward signs of pregnancy, but a home pregnancy test is reliable.

Early pregnancy symptoms can include tender or swollen breasts, sensitive nipples, fatigue, cramping, backaches, and nausea.

Some women may experience early morning sickness, while others do not.

The lack of pregnancy symptoms does not indicate a problem; every pregnancy is unique.

Advice on when to reach out to a healthcare provider after a positive pregnancy test.

Healthcare providers typically schedule appointments around 8 to 10 weeks, with possible blood work earlier.

The body and baby are doing a lot of work on their own during the first few weeks of pregnancy.

At 4 weeks, the baby is about the size of a poppy seed and is undergoing rapid development.

Implantation is the process where the fertilized egg attaches to the uterine wall, which may cause spotting.

The baby's cells are dividing to form the basis for organs and body parts, including determining sex, eye color, hair type, and blood type.

The baby's neural tube is developing into the brain and spinal cord.

Recommendation to eat whole foods and avoid processed foods during early pregnancy.

Advice on taking a prenatal vitamin, with a preference for those derived from whole foods.

Discussion on the difference between folate and folic acid, and the importance of choosing the right prenatal vitamin.

Closing remarks, congratulating new moms and looking forward to the next week's update.

Transcripts

[Music]

hey Mama Bridget Tyler here I'm assuming

you're here because you've recently

gotten your bfp big fat positive so if

that's you congratulations this is such

an exciting time but it's also

nerve-wracking everything you feel makes

you wonder is this normal and I was a

birth Dua child birth educator and a

mama did two and a third on the way I

know how you feel so in this video I'm

going to be talking about what's

happening with your baby at 4 weeks and

symptoms you might be experiencing as a

newly pregnant Mama now at this early

point in your pregnancy there aren't

really any outward signs of pregnancy

yet so it often leaves you wondering am

I really pregnant but that at home

pregnancy test is very reliable and it

can best confirm your pregnancy when

you've already passed that first day of

your period which is about 2 weeks after

ovulation during these early weeks you

might be feeling tender or swollen

breasts sensitive nipples fatigue

cramping backaches and even nausea for

each of my pregnancies my early symptoms

were a pins and needle Sensations in my

lower belly cramping which intensified

each time for my third the cramps were

quite painful and just feeling more

tired than usual honestly most of the

sensations of very early pregnancy are a

lot like PMS now at this point most

women don't have nausea or vomiting yet

which is also known as morning sickness

but some women do develop it early on

now if you don't experience any of these

pregnancy symptoms that's okay too that

doesn't mean that anything is wrong in

your pregnancy every pregnancy is so

unique now at this point you might be

wondering oh my gosh what do I do who do

I tell Etc and while you can reach out

to your provider to notify them of your

positive pregnancy test they likely

won't schedule you for an appointment

till you're closer to that 8 to 10 week

Mark but they might have you come in and

do blood work so at this point you don't

necessarily need to do anything your

body and baby are going to be doing a

lot of work on their own during these

first few weeks now let's shift our

Focus to the incredible development

already happening at 4 weeks inside your

womb at 4 weeks your baby is so small

about the size of a poppy seed and while

your baby is small they certainly are

miraculous by this time the fertilized

egg has attached itself to the uterine

wall a process known as implantation and

some of you might have experienced some

spotting during this implantation period

the cells that make up your baby right

now are rapidly dividing forming the

basis for your baby's organs and body

parts even at this super early Point

their sexes determine their eye color

hair color and whether it'll be curly or

straight their blood type and whether

they'll have cute little cheek dimples

all of that in your tiny poppy seed

sized baby is going on and even now as

you're you're watching this your baby's

neural tube is beginning to develop

which will eventually become the brain

and spinal cord your baby's heart is

also starting to take shape it is so

remarkable what is happening in these

early weeks so to support these crucial

early developmental Milestones you

should be eating real Whole Foods and

avoiding processed foods and taking a

prenatal vitamin I am one who prefers

staying As Natural as possible so I look

for supplements that are derived from

Whole Foods as much as possible and when

pregnant I consume folate over folic

acid because folic acid is man-made in a

laboratory and for many women because of

a variant in their MTHFR gene they

aren't as able to actually break down

and use the folic acid in my experience

most providers in a hospital setting

promote folic acid and most midwives

that work out of the hospital setting as

well as other holistic practitioners

recommend folate all links some prenatal

recommendations down in the description

I encourage you to dig deep into what

prenatal vitamin you're taking look at

the differences between your options and

find one that works best for you your

body and your baby so that wraps up week

four congratulations Mama I'm so excited

for you and I will see you next week for

your five week update