By the 4th week of pregnancy, your body has undergone several changes. Consequently, the biological mechanisms responsible for the baby’s development are activated. In the past days, the stages of fertilisation, the formation of the blastocyst, its attachment to the uterus has occurred.
In the following weeks, life will emerge from a mass of cells, leading to the development of your baby. In this article, we present a definite timeline of the different stages of the baby’s growth.
Developmental Changes at 4th Week
At 4th week, the growing baby has the raw materials for becoming a fully developed human being. The mass of cells has already started multiplying. These will go on to form several different systems and organs such as:
- Nervous system
- Circulatory system
- Internal organs
- Skin
- Nails, etc.
Although these changes occur at a rapid stage, you won’t notice that you are pregnant. The only indication of pregnancy is usually the absence of premenstrual symptoms..
During this time your baby receives all the required nutrition from a tiny yok sack. As time passes, baby’s nutrition requirements tend to increase. Vitamin C plays an instrumental role in providing correct nutrition. It is a vital nutrient among others that you must include to adjust your body and support your baby. Proper intake would help in keeping your cells healthy and contribute to normal collagen function.
Collagen is a protein that supports and offers structure to your tissues in addition to your skin, blood vessels and cartilage. It is one of the fundamental building blocks and contributes to the development of placenta which further helps in the baby’s development. Ensure that your consume at least 40 mg of Vitamin C everyday in this week and slowly increase it as your pregnancy nears the third trimester.
Developmental Changes at 5th Week
By the end of the 5th week, the baby is technically called an embryo. The embryo, which is 1mm long, has a developing brain, blood vessels, spinal cord, etc. Also, at this point, the baby’s heart shows the first sign of activity when it starts to beat.
The formation of the umbilical cord is a significant event. Through this, the baby receives oxygen, proteins, fats, vitamins, and other nutrients.
By the 5th week, your hormones rise to the level to be detected by a home pregnancy test.
Developmental Changes at 6th Week
The 6thweek marks the beginning of some incredible changes in the developing baby’s body. By now, the heart is capable of supplying blood to the entire body. It is doing this at a rate of 110 beats per minute. A major change is the growth of limb buds from the body. These buds later go on to form arms and legs. Other changes include the formation of the digestive tract and closing and maturation of the neural tube.
Make sure to include healthy food items in your diet to keep pace with the nutritional demands of the baby.
