Your pregnancy: 4 weeks

At four weeks pregnant, your baby is still called an embryo, technically, and she is already growing and developing within the lining of your womb. She is the size of a poppy seed and made up of two layers of cells. There’s a gestational (or amniotic) sac, which keeps the embryo protected with fluid, and inside that, a yolk sac, which produces blood cells to nourish the baby until the placenta eventually takes over, usually when you're around 12 weeks pregnant. As the umbilical cord starts to form, it transports nutrients and waste to and from your placenta to your baby. (Yup, it’s time to take a closer look at your diet, but we’ll talk about that more next week, in week 5 of pregnancy.) Your baby’s heart is already beating and her organs are developing—isn’t that amazing?

Hello, hormones Maybe you took a test because your period was late (depending on the length of your cycle, most tests are effective four to five weeks from the first day of your last period) or because you were actively trying to get pregnant (in which case, yay!). But human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), the pregnancy hormone that made the test turn positive, might already be causing a hodgepodge of symptoms that tipped you off, such as anxiety, nausea, vomiting, lightheadedness, dizziness, bloating, exhaustion and mood swings.

The pregnancy hormone hCG also tells your ovaries to stop releasing eggs and increases the production of estrogen and progesterone, so you can blame your tender, sore and tingling breasts on it, too. You can read more about early pregnancy symptoms and signs here.

Some women are still symptom-free at this point in their pregnancies, but it’s nothing to be worried about. Every pregnancy is different, and symptoms can appear at any point in the early weeks—some lucky women experience very few symptoms at all.

Don’t be alarmed if you experience some mild cramping and an increase in vaginal discharge and/or spotting (also known as implantation bleeding), as the embryo is busy burrowing into the lining of your uterus. (A Costco-sized box of panty liners is a good idea to get you through your pregnancy because that increased pregnancy discharge is here to stay.)

A positive pregnancy test can deliver a big shock to you and your partner, even when it’s a planned pregnancy. Feeling overwhelmed (or, let’s be honest, panic-stricken) by the realization that you’re about to become parents is totally normal (Is your marriage ready for a baby?). Take time to talk to your partner (and to listen, too) about your fears and concerns. A lot of changes are headed your way, and speaking with trusted family and friends about their experiences (if you’re ready to share the news) can be helpful, too. Give yourself some time to let the news sink in and get used to the idea of becoming a mom.

During the earliest weeks of pregnancy, concerns about miscarriage can dampen the excitement. Some women will get positive results on their pregnancy tests and then, a few days after their periods are due, experience really heavy periods. This is often an indication that a chemical pregnancy or early miscarriage has occurred. It’s estimated that 25 to 40 percent of pregnancies will end before they’ve been detected, especially if it’s very early on. We know that miscarriage isn’t caused by the mother and can’t be prevented. If you have any concerns about your symptoms, it’s best to seek the advice of your healthcare provider. We have links to miscarriage resources and support here. If you experience a loss, it’s important to know that you’re not alone: One in four pregnancies ends in miscarriage.

In addition to these week-by-week articles about your pregnancy (make sure you sign up to get them emailed straight to your inbox!), you might want to check out one of these pregnancy-tracking apps.

CineMama

Have you seen those super-cool timelapse videos showing a pregnant belly growing bigger and bigger? With the right app, making one is much easier than you think. Use this one to take daily photos, add music and turn your months-in-the-making bun in the oven into a cute, shareable video showing the incredible transformation (plus the big reveal, of course). Apple, free.

The title pretty much sums up what this app is all about: what to expect when you’re expecting. Track weekly progress; get a glimpse of what’s happening right now and what’s coming next; and make a countdown to your baby’s due date. Make sure to snap a bump pic each week, because there’s also an in-app baby belly slideshow feature. Apple, free.

This app is jam-packed with information and features to keep you organized as you prep you for your baby’s arrival. Use the checklists to keep track of your medical appointments and to make nursery and registry shopping lists. There’s also a kick counter, a belly slideshow tool, and a contraction timer to use on the big day. Apple , free.

You’ve probably seen pregnant women announcing that their baby is the size of a squash—well, this is the source of the baby-as-produce comparisons. Watch the adorable fruit animations as your baby grows from the size of a blueberry to the size of a watermelon in no time. The app also has a registry tool, cool illustrations of what’s going on inside the womb, expert answers and baby product reviews. Apple, free.

If you’re into tracking your health stats, check this app out. It uses pretty charts to compile important data like your blood pressure, weight changes and pregnancy symptoms. The app breaks down every trimester for you, including the all-important fourth trimester, so you aren’t left in the dark—wondering “What the heck do I do now?”—after the baby has arrived. Apple, free.

This app has interactive videos about your baby’s development, daily updates, and it also compares your baby on board to fruits and veggies. The interactive chat feature connects you with other pregnant women who share your due date and who might be experiencing similar feelings or asking the same questions as you are. As time goes on, it can be really reassuring to check in with fellow moms going through the same weird, wonderful or frustrating phases. Apple, free.

Maybe it’s a little early to be thinking seriously about baby names. But if you’ve been planning your family for a while, you probably already have a list of sentimental favourites saved on your phone or scribbled in a notebook somewhere. The tricky part is agreeing on them! We’ve got tons of baby name trends, tips and info here.

You’re at the very beginning of a long marathon, and there’s work to do to get your body ready for what lies ahead. The first step is to call your regular family doctor or healthcare provider to book a prenatal appointment and confirm that you’re pregnant with a simple blood test. (Deciding between an OB/GYN and midwife comes later.) With a straightforward pregnancy (that is, without pre-existing conditions or other medical concerns), the first official prenatal appointment typically happens a few weeks from now.

Next, if you aren’t already taking a prenatal vitamin or a multivitamin that contains vitamin B12, folic acid and iron (experts recommend taking a daily vitamin for at least three months prior to getting pregnant), now is the time to start. Getting adequate levels of folic acid have been linked to preventing neural tube defects, including spina bifida. The current Canadian recommendation is to take a vitamin that includes 0.4 milligrams of folic acid and 27 milligrams of iron. Boosting folic acid and iron levels in your diet is also recommended. You can boost your folic acid levels by eating more dark green vegetables, legumes (peas, dried beans and lentils) and whole grains and add more iron to your diet with red meats, dairy and poultry.

Vitamin C can also help your body absorb iron more effectively, so bottoms up on the OJ and lemonade (you’re giving up wine and alcohol anyway, but more about that in our 6 weeks pregnant update) and make sure to add lots of colourful fruits and veggies to your diet, too.

Read more: 88 things nobody tells you about being pregnant Pregnancy food guide: Truth about what you can eat (+ cheat sheet) Next up: 5 weeks pregnant

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