Week 4

My Baby This Week

At this point in time, the embryo is made up of 3 layers. The innermost layer is called the endoderm. This layer will become the lungs, liver, and digestive system. The middle layer is called the mesoderm, and will become your baby's kidneys, sex organs, muscle, bone and heart. The outermost layer is called the ectoderm. It will become your baby's organs such as the hair, skins, eyes and nervous system.

Also present will be the amniotic sac that will house your baby. The sac contains amniotic fluid that will cushion your baby as he grows. The yolk sac produces your baby's red blood cells and will helps deliver nutrients to him. This stops once the placenta is ready to take the job.

What’s Happening To My Body?

A urine pregnancy test at this stage, would read positive. The test usually measures the levels of the human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG) hormone (ie: what doctors usually call “the pregnancy hormone”). Blood tests are usually more accurate than home pregnancy kits. If you are not certain of the accuracy of the home pregnancy kit, a simple way to get a more accurate result would be to perform the urine test 2 or 3 times, with different brands of kits.

You should know that the test administered at a general practitioners clinic is usually no different than the tests that you can buy off the shelf at the nearby pharmacy.

What should you do if your test is positive? Well, you should call your gynecologist and schedule a first appointment. Usually, the doctor will schedule the first appointment at about the 8th week. However, you should at this stage ask the doctor if it’s ok to continue taking certain medicines or engaging in more strenuous physical activities, if you are in doubt.

Remember, from week 4 to 9, whatever you eat will enter your baby’s bloodstream. Hence, it is important to ensure that you eat well, rest well, and avoid dangerous substances/foods such as alcohol and tobacco.