The sperm and egg unite in one of your fallopian tubes to form a one-celled entity called a zygote. If more than one egg is released and fertilized, you may have multiple zygotes.
The zygote has 46 chromosomes — 23 from you and 23 from your partner. These chromosomes will help determine your baby's sex, and traits such as eye and hair color. Soon after fertilization, the zygote travels down the fallopian tube toward the uterus. The inner group of cells will become the embryo. The outer group of cells will become the membranes that nourish and protect it. When the zygote — now known as a blastocyst — reaches your uterus, it will burrow into the uterine wall for nourishment. The placenta, which will nourish your baby throughout the pregnancy, also begins to form. The third week after conception, marks the beginning of the embryonic period. This is when the baby's brain, spinal cord, heart and other organs begin to form. The embryo is now made of three layers. The top layer — the ectoderm — will give rise to your baby's outermost layer of skin, central and peripheral nervous systems, eyes, inner ear, and many connective tissues. Your baby's heart and a primitive circulatory system will form in the middle layer of cells — the mesoderm. This layer of cells will also serve as the foundation for your baby's bones, muscles, kidneys and much of the reproductive system. The inner layer of cells — the endoderm — will become a simple tube lined with mucous membranes. Your baby's lungs, intestines and bladder will develop here. By the end of this week, your baby is likely between 1/16 and 1/8 inch (1.5 to 3 millimeters) long — about the size of the tip of a pen.
Growth is rapid this week. Just four weeks after conception, the neural tube along the baby's back is closing and the heart is pumping blood. Basic facial features will begin to appear, including passageways that will make up the inner ear and arches that will contribute to the jaw. The baby's body begins to take on a c-shaped curvature. Small buds will soon become arms and legs. By the end of this week, your baby may be 1/6 to 1/4 inch (4 to 6 millimeters) long. Mom Changes
There are many changes going on with the mother. Some of these changes include:
- Nausea-due to normal hormonal changes. Nausea tends to be worse in the morning, but it can last all day
- Unusual Fatigue-You may feel tired as your body prepares to support the pregnancy. Your heart will pump faster and harder, and your pulse will quicken.
- Dizziness-Normal circulatory changes in early pregnancy may leave you feeling a little dizzy. Stress, fatigue and hunger also may play a role.
- Mood Swings-Pregnancy may leave you feeling delighted, anxious, exhilarated, weepiness, and exhausted- sometimes all at once.
Dad Changes
Men also go through some changes. Men offten mimic thier spouse's eating habits, causing them to gain what some call a, "sympathy bump". The pregnancy can often cause feelings of confusion, denial, or even jealousy.
Things To Do When Pregnant
Eating a balanced diet is one of the most important things you can do for yourself and your baby. There are a few foods that you should be more careful about eating while you are pregnant.Meat, eggs and fish that are not fully cooked could put you at risk for an infection. You should take folic acid every day during your pregnancy. Folic acid can help prevent problems with your baby's brain and spinal cord. It is best to start taking folic acid before you get pregnant. If either you or you husband smoke it is best if this is changed immediately. The harmful toxins you breathe in while smoking your baby will recieve it aswell. The reason your husband should stop aswell is because second hand smoke is jsut as bad as smokeing yourself.Don't clean your cat's litter box or eat raw or undercooked red meat. You could get toxoplasmosis, a disease that can cause birth defects.
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