Learn what’s happening in week 3 of pregnancy and find out how your baby is developing.
The third week is one of the most important stages of pregnancy because this is the week ovulation and implantation occur. Many women do not even know they are pregnant yet. Because there are no visible symptoms of pregnancy at 3 weeks.
However, the third week is the week when you conceive and your baby has started on its miraculous transformation from a single cell to a beautiful baby boy or girl. As the winning sperm meets the egg, fertilization occurs and your baby takes form as a tiny group of cells.
The egg begins as a single cell that divides several times and by the time the egg reaches the womb. It will become a mass of more than 100 cells.
Your baby is now smaller than a seed and it’s called an embryo. Once it reaches the womb, the embryo burrows into the lining of the womb, and this process is known as implantation.
What happens in your body in pregnancy week 3?
In the third week, you have an embryo growing inside of you, but most women don’t realize they are pregnant and can’t recognize the early signs of pregnancy. Even though you probably don’t know you’re pregnant because there are no visible signs of pregnancy after 3 weeks. There are some major changes happening inside you.
When implantation occurs some women will experience spotting which is also known as implantation bleeding. This slight bleeding is perfectly normal and happens when the egg burrows into the uterine lining. Implantation bleeding is one of the most common 3 weeks pregnant symptoms.
Other symptoms of pregnancy such as gas, constipation, and nausea may also occur in the third week.
Changes in Your Body at 3 Weeks Pregnant
There are no noticeable physical changes and pregnancy symptoms at 3 weeks, but some women will experience increased vaginal discharge and mild cramping.
This usually happens during ovulation when the ovaries release a mature egg that travels through the fallopian tubes toward the uterus.
Sperm travels through the uterus to fertilize the egg and both the sperm and the egg contain 23 chromosomes. They will combine and form the zygote which consists of 46 chromosomes.
The zygote travels through the fallopian tubes to the uterus where it attaches itself to the uterine wall.
At week 3, your body starts producing pregnancy hormones estrogen and progesterone. They are responsible for all the changes and symptoms you will experience during pregnancy.
Your body also begins producing the pregnancy hormone hCG immediately after implantation. The hCG level will continue to increase until around 8-12 weeks when it stabilizes. HCG is the hormone that will turn a pregnancy test positive. By the end of the third week, you should be able to get a positive result.
Your Baby at 3 Week of Pregnancy
The gender of your baby is decided the moment the egg gets fertilized and this depends on whether the sperm carries an X chromosome or a Y chromosome. Other prominent traits such as hair color, eye color, and body type are also determined at this stage of pregnancy. The zygote travels up to towards the uterus where it attaches itself to the uterine wall.
The implantation process lasts 6 to 12 days (9 days on average) after ovulation and fertilization. Your baby is now called a blastocyst and consists of hundreds of cells that are multiplying.
What will become amniotic fluid starts to collect now around the tiny ball of cells? In the weeks and months ahead this fluid will cushion the baby.
Your little one is now receiving oxygen and nutrients through a circulation system consisting of microscopic tunnels that connect the baby to the blood vessels in your uterine wall.
Pregnancy Week 3 Tips
Most pregnancy tests are able to detect pregnancy based on the hCG levels in the urine. This means that pregnancy can be detected by a home pregnancy test during the third week or six days following implantation. On the other hand, blood pregnancy tests can give positive results 3-4 days after implantation.
The third week is the perfect time to make all the lifestyle and dietary changes that are necessary for a healthy pregnancy.
Make sure to avoid alcohol, tobacco, and caffeine because they can harm your baby’s growth and development. Avoid going near dangerous substances such as pesticides as it may hamper cell division. Take prenatal vitamins that contain folic acid to help prevent birth defects.
Frequently Asked Question (FAQ)
Which week is the most important in pregnancy?
The first 13 weeks are really important for your body and your fetus (baby).
