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  1. Week 4
  2. Week 5
  3. Week 6
  4. Week 7
  5. Week 8
  6. Week 9
  7. Week 10
  8. Week 11
  9. Week 12

Week 4

To the outside world, you'll look much the same as usual – but on the inside, your embryo is about the size of a poppy seed and some amazing things are happening.

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What's happening in my body?

You probably don't look pregnant yet. If it's your first pregnancy you might not start showing until at least week 12.

However, if this isn't your first baby, you may start showing sooner, as the muscles in your uterus (womb) and belly may have been stretched from your last pregnancy.

Pregnancy is dated from the first day of your last period. Read about you and your pregnancy at 1 to 3 weeks on the NHS website.

Am I pregnant?

Wondering when to take a pregnancy test? Some of the home tests can tell you if you're pregnant after about 3 and a half weeks – and are 99% accurate.

Early pregnancy symptoms (at 4 weeks)

To start with, you may not have any symptoms at all.

When the pregnancy hormone "human chorionic gonadotrophin" starts to kick in, you may experience early pregnancy symptoms.

During your 1st trimester, which is up until week 12, you may experience:

  • a missed period (often one of the first signs of pregnancy)
  • a metallic taste in your mouth
  • sore breasts
  • nausea – also known as morning sickness, although you can experience it at any time (read about morning sickness in week 6)
  • tiredness
  • new food likes and dislikes
  • a heightened sense of smell
  • needing to pee more frequently
  • a milky white pregnancy discharge from your vagina
  • light spotting as the fertilised egg burrows into your uterus (see your doctor if you get bleeding during pregnancy)
  • cramping, a bit like period pains
  • darkened skin on your face or brown patches – this is known as chloasma faciei or the "mask of pregnancy"
  • thicker and shinier hair
  • bloating (read about dealing with bloating in week 10)

If you think you could be pregnant but haven't noticed any symptoms, you still might be. Everyone's different and nobody else will have a pregnancy just like yours.

What does my baby look like?

Your baby, or embryo, is about 2mm long (about the size of a poppy seed) and growing rapidly in your womb.

It's protected by an amniotic sac, which is filled with cushioning fluid, and attached to a tiny yolk sac that provides all the nourishment it needs.

The outer layer will later develop into the placenta and provide your baby with oxygen and nutrients.

Composite. One side shows an embryo attached to a round yolk sac. Other side shows an adult hand with a palmful of poppy seeds.
Your baby is about the size of a poppy seed.

Action stations

See your midwife or GP

Share the news with your GP or ask for an appointment with a midwife at your doctors' surgery. Alternatively you can refer yourself to your local hospital – look for contact details on their website.

You'll need to arrange a booking appointment. This usually takes place between weeks 8 and 12, and takes around an hour.

You can talk about the options for your pregnancy and the birth. Plus you'll be offered screening tests for infectious diseases, and conditions such as Down's syndrome. You could ask about the Maternity Transformation Programme and how it could benefit you.

You will get your first dating scan at 8 to 14 weeks.

If it's your first pregnancy you will probably have around 10 appointments and 2 scans in total. Ask if it's possible to see the same carer for your entire pregnancy, to give you continuity.

Antenatal classes

Ask your midwife or doctor about online antenatal classes – they may be able to recommend one. The charity Tommy's has lots of useful information on antenatal classes and preparing you for birth.

Antenatal classes will give you the chance to meet other people and prepare you for parenthood. The NCT offers online antenatal classes with small groups of people that live locally to you.

Smoking, drinking and caffeine in pregnancy

Do your best to stop smoking and give up alcohol, and go easy on the tea, coffee and anything else with caffeine.

Ask your midwife or GP for support.

Vitamins in pregnancy

Take prenatal vitamins. You're advised to take 400mcg of folic acid every day, until at least week 12. This helps to form your baby's nervous system and offers some protection from conditions such as spina bifida.

To keep bones and muscles healthy, we need vitamin D. From late March/early April to the end of September, most people make enough vitamin D from sunlight on their skin.

However, between October and early March, consider taking a daily vitamin D supplement because we cannot make enough from sunlight.

Some people should take a vitamin D supplement all year round – find out if this applies to you on the NHS website.

You just need 10 micrograms (it's the same for grown-ups and kids). Check if you're entitled to free vitamins.

Exercising in pregnancy

It's recommended that you do 150 minutes of exercise a week while pregnant.

You could start off with just 10 minutes of daily exercise – perhaps take a brisk walk outside. Check out Sport England's #StayInWorkOut online exercises (scroll to the pregnancy section).

Listen to your body and do what feels right for you.

Healthy eating

There's no need to eat for 2. You just need to eat a healthy balanced diet, with a variety of different foods every day, including plenty of fruit and veg. Have a look at our guide to healthy eating in pregnancy.

You may be able to get free milk, fruit and veg through the Healthy Start scheme.

Emotional and mental wellbeing

How are you today? If you're feeling anxious or low, then talk to your midwife or doctor. They can point you in the right direction to get all the support that you need. You could also discuss your worries with your partner, friends and family.

You may be worried about your relationship, or money, or having somewhere permanent to live.

Don't keep it to yourself. It's important that you ask for help if you need it.

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs)

Do you think you or your partner could have an STI? If so, get checked out, as this could affect your baby's development. Talk to your midwife or GP, or visit a sexual health clinic.

Long-term conditions

If you have a long-term health condition, then let your specialist or GP know you're pregnant as soon as possible.

Don't stop taking any regular medication without discussing it with your doctor first.

More in week-by-week

Week 5

Many women realise that they're pregnant around week 5.

Week 6

Week 7

More in week-by-week guide to pregnancy

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