One of the earliest signs of pregnancy is a missed period. If you are currently experiencing a missed period, it may sharpen your suspicion that you are pregnant. From week 4, it is possible to test your suspicion with a pregnancy test, as it is around this week that the body releases the pregnancy hormone hCG, which is what a positive pregnancy test will be based on.
What happens in the body?
The changes that occur in the body during this week are small but important. It is in week 4 that the fertilized egg attaches itself to the uterine lining, and at the same time, the placenta is formed. When the egg attaches to the uterus, it is not unusual to experience a light bleeding.
Since this often coincides with the timing of menstruation, it can be mistakenly interpreted as a period. If you have experienced a lighter period, it may therefore mean that you are in week 4 of your pregnancy. A test at this time could determine that.
However, it can provide a more reliable and clear indication if you wait until the week after your expected period to take a pregnancy test, as the concentration of hCG in this week is significantly higher.
If your pregnancy test is positive, you should contact your general practitioner and make an appointment.
Early signs of pregnancy
As the fetus develops and other changes occur in your body, you may also experience other signs that you are pregnant. However, as with all pregnancies, it is very individual and may not necessarily apply to you.
But the most commonly experienced signs early in pregnancy are fatigue, nausea, tender breasts, and mood swings.
Size of the fetus
A guideline for how large the fetus is this week is about the size of a pinhead, which corresponds to about 1 millimeter. This week, the fetus is therefore approximately the size of a poppy seed.
Advice for partners
It can already be good for you and your partner to tell your partner about the pregnancy as soon as you have a positive pregnancy test this week. Involving your partner in the pregnancy has several benefits for both of you.
It gives you the opportunity to share your thoughts, feelings, and needs regarding the pregnancy from the very beginning. For you and your partner, this also means that the pregnancy is always a joint project, and it also includes your partner, even though you are the one who is pregnant.