Week 3 Of Pregnancy

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• QWhat is the size of my baby during the 1st trimester?

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  A Sigma Nursing answered

  These are the stages of a child's growth during the first trimester, starting at Week 3:

  • Week 3 - Your baby is a microscopic cluster of cells. This is the stage during which the sperm and egg unite to form a zygote, or a tiny one-celled structure. As the zygote moves, the cells divide very quickly and form a blastocyst, or cluster of hundreds of cells.
  • Week 4 - The embryo is only about 1/2 to 1 mm long! It already has two layers—the epiblast and the hypoblast—that will eventually develop into organs.
  • Week 5 - The embryo already has three layers: the ectoderm, mesoderm, and ectoderm. It’s only about 1 to 3 mm long!
  • Week 6 - Your baby's heart is beating and its facial features are forming. Your baby is about a quarter inch long.
  • Week 7 - Your baby's facial features are becoming more defined, and little paddle-like hands are developing. Your baby is about a half an inch long, or the size of a blueberry.
  • Week 8 - Your baby is starting to move! (You can’t really feel it yet, though.) Your baby is a little over half an inch long, or the size of a lima bean.
  • Week 9 - Your baby has developed many of its physical characteristics and looks like a human. Your baby is around an inch long, which is the size of an olive or grape.
  • Week 10 - Your baby is officially considered a fetus. It's a little over an inch long.
  • Week 11 - Your baby is about one and one-half to two inches long, or about the size of a fig. Your baby's head makes up half of its entire length.
  • Week 12 - Your baby is around three inches long, or about the size of a large lime. Even though length is still the best way to determine the size, your baby weighs almost an ounce this week!
• QWhat should I discuss with my doctor during the 1st trimester of pregnancy?

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  A Sigma Nursing answered

  As soon as you find out that you are pregnant, you should schedule your first prenatal appointment. The first appointment is usually pretty long since there is a lot to discuss. Your doctor may perform a physical exam that includes lab tests and a review of your medical history. Here are some other things to discuss as your first trimester progresses:

  • Personal and family medical history
  • Due date
  • Diet
  • Vitamins/Supplements
  • Exercise
  • Medications/Vaccines
  • Emotional issues
  • Environmental factors (exposure to harmful substances, infections, etc.)
  • Ultrasound/Baby’s heartbeat

  Don't be afraid to ask your doctor about anything you are curious about.

• QWhat are common problems that may occur during week 3 of pregnancy?

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  A Spotsylvania Regional Medical Center answered

  Even though week 3 is very early in your pregnancy, there may be problems that occur with the baby's development. This week is generally when ovulation and often implantation in the uterus occurs. If anything is blocking the fallopian tubes, the baby may begin developing outside the uterus -- most of the time in the fallopian tubes -- in what's called an ectopic pregnancy, which is rare but can be very dangerous. Tobacco use, a history of pelvic inflammatory disease or endometriosis, IUD use, sexually transmitted diseases, increased maternal age, and previous abortion or ectopic pregnancy are among risk factors. Less than 20 of 1,000 U.S pregnancies are ectopic. If you have questions about any other problems that may occur during week 3 of pregnancy, talk to your doctor.
• QAre there tests or procedures I should have during week 3 of pregnancy?

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  A Spotsylvania Regional Medical Center answered

  Week 3 may be when you actually become pregnant, as the clock is usually set at the first day of your last period -- so you're actually not pregnant for the first two weeks of your pregnancy! When you start to see signs of pregnancy, or as soon as you get a positive pregnancy test, it's time to speak with your doctor about any tests you might need.
• QAre there any warning signs I should look for during week 3 of pregnancy?

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  A Spotsylvania Regional Medical Center answered

  The warning signs during week 3 of pregnancy are usually just signs that you are pregnant. At this point, you probably won't be able to realize if anything's wrong -- in fact, you may not even realize you are pregnant. Dating the point of pregnancy from the first day of your last period, week 3 is usually the week when you actually become pregnant, and ovulation occurs, followed by implantation. Talk to your doctor if you are concerned about any symptoms you have during week 3.
• QHow is my baby growing and developing during week 3?

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  A Spotsylvania Regional Medical Center answered

  Week 3 of pregnancy is the time during which the egg is fertilized and cells begin to divide as they move toward the uterus. When the sperm and egg unite, they form a cell called a zygote. As the zygote travels through the fallopian tubes and into the uterus, it starts dividing rapidly until it's made of hundreds of cells -- this is called a blastocyst. Once the cluster of cells reaches the uterus, it implants into the uterine wall. At this time, the amniotic sac that will eventually protect the baby is also forming in the cells surrounding the blastocyst.
• QWhat prenatal care do I need during week 3 of pregnancy?

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  A Spotsylvania Regional Medical Center answered

  During week 3 of pregnancy, you may not even know you're pregnant yet! Because it's so early in the pregnancy, there's really no prenatal care necessary at this point. However, if you're trying to get pregnant, you should be following good general health habits that include eating a nutritious diet, getting exercise, cutting caffeine to no more than a 12-oz. coffee a day, and avoiding alcohol and tobacco. Avoid people with chickenpox (unless you have been vaccinated or had the illness), rubella (German measles) or other infections that can cause birth defects, and cat litter or cat feces that could be contaminated with toxoplasmosis. Once you do realize you're pregnant, schedule your first prenatal visit with your doctor to find out what you should be doing to care for your developing baby.

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• QHow will I feel during week 3 of my pregnancy?

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  A Spotsylvania Regional Medical Center answered

  During week 3 of pregnancy, you probably won't even realize you're pregnant yet. At this point, fertilization has just occurred, and the mass of rapidly dividing cells is traveling through your fallopian tubes and into your uterus, where it will implant in the uterine lining. You probably won't feel any different, although you may notice light spotting by the end of the week.
  
  
• QWhat changes will I experience during week 3 of my pregnancy?

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  A Spotsylvania Regional Medical Center answered

  During week 3 of pregnancy, your baby is going through more changes than you are. Fertilization has just taken place and the cluster of cells is traveling from the fallopian tubes to the uterus, where it will implant in the uterine lining. The cluster of cells is releasing hormones that help keep your uterus from shedding its lining. During this time, you may notice very light spotting that may be caused when the egg implants in the uterus. You may also start to notice the "classic" signs of pregnancy like fatigue, nausea, and frequent urination.

• QWhat will I look like during week 3 of my pregnancy?

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  A Spotsylvania Regional Medical Center answered

  Week 3 is the very beginning of your baby's formation, so you won't look any different. At this point, the fertilized egg has been rapidly dividing and is traveling from the fallopian tubes toward the uterus, where it will implant in the uterine wall. This cluster of cells is still microscopic, so you may not even realize you are pregnant and definitely won't notice any changes in your physical appearance.