3rd week fetal development

This is an automatically translated article.

The article was professionally consulted by Specialist Doctor II Tran Thi Mai Huong - Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology - Vinmec Hai Phong International General Hospital.
After the miraculous meeting of sperm and egg, a tiny zygote is formed. At this time, the pregnancy has been three weeks and the pregnant mother also shows more obvious signs of pregnancy. So how will the 3-week-old fetus develop and what should you do at this time?

1. How does the 3rd week fetus develop?

When the fetus is 3 weeks old, the small-sized assemblage of the virus begins to divide and continues to multiply at a rapid rate. Starting from the third week of pregnancy, your baby has received all the information and genetic material necessary for the formation of life and the development of vital organs of the body. Therefore, any intervention at this stage of development is very vulnerable to the baby.
The fetus is now like a tiny ball, called a blastocyst, containing hundreds of cells that are multiplying and burrowing into the lining of your uterus. The cells in the middle will become the embryo. The cells on the outside will become the placenta, the pancake-shaped organ that delivers oxygen and nutrients to the baby and removes waste products.
The cells that develop into the placenta are pumping out the pregnancy hormone hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin). This hormone causes the ovaries to stop releasing eggs and continue to produce progesterone, preventing your uterus from shedding its lining and keeping the fetus in, as well as stimulating the growth of the placenta. When there is enough hCG in your urine, you will have a positive pregnancy test.
At this time, amniotic fluid also begins to form and develop into the amniotic sac. This fluid acts as a "cushion" for your baby in the coming months.
If the second week of pregnancy is just a vague visualization of the small changes of the fetus, by the third week there have been obvious changes. The size of the fetus is very small, but has actually existed in the womb, with the size of only 0.35 - 0.6mm.

2. Symptoms that signal you are pregnant

At the beginning of pregnancy, your body will have certain changes, these symptoms are easy to recognize:
Breast tightness

Fatigue Frequent urination Sensitivity to different odors Loss of interest in previously enjoyed foods Increased body temperature Nausea, or vomiting Blood in pregnancy

3. What should pregnant women do in the 3rd week of pregnancy?

To know the exact results that you are pregnant or not, you should take a pregnancy test. If the result is positive, you should visit your doctor to check the accuracy. In some cases, the result is negative even though you are indeed pregnant, this could be because you took the pregnancy test too early. For the tests to give accurate results, you should wait a few days or a week after your monthly period.

4. What should three weeks pregnant?

Foods to eat:
The first three weeks of pregnancy, you should actively supplement vitamins and nutrients needed for the body as well as help the baby develop the best. You can supplement through pills or through your daily diet. Folic acid is also important during pregnancy, it not only helps prevent diseases for babies such as neural tube defects, congenital heart defects or premature birth. It is recommended that pregnant women take about 400 mcg/day before becoming pregnant, and by the 3rd week of pregnancy, the dose can be increased to about 600 mcg/day. Doctors also recommend that pregnant women should add about 0.4 mg of vitamin B11 and about 300 calories to the diet each day. Iron is also an indispensable element in the "pregnancy" days. If the body is not provided with the necessary amount of iron, it will lead to anemia and adversely affect the health of the mother and the fetus. The amount of iron needed by the body will double to about 30mg/day. Foods to abstain:
Pregnant women should absolutely avoid eating uncooked foods, poached eggs or smoked seafood. Be careful with fish such as salmon, tuna, puffer, mackerel, swordfish. In these types of fish contains high levels of mercury, which seriously endangers the development of the baby's brain and nervous system.

5. Should three weeks pregnant have sex?

Many women who are pregnant for the first time worry that having sex during pregnancy could harm the fetus or cause a miscarriage. However, if you do not have a history of miscarriage or signs that you are prone to miscarriage, sexual activity should not affect the baby. Besides, having sex when the mother reaches "orgasm" also helps the baby in the womb feel relaxed and comfortable like being lulled to sleep. Therefore, pregnant mothers should feel secure to participate in "love" as usual if they are interested.

6. Tips for pregnant women in the 3rd week of pregnancy

In addition to fully supplementing with essential nutrients such as vitamins, iron, or nutrient-rich foods daily, you should also embark on building yourself a healthy pregnancy, including:
no stimulants like alcohol or beer Quit smoking Stay relaxed and avoid anger, frustration or stress by doing whatever makes you feel comfortable and enjoyable, such as Read a book, go for a walk, meditate, do yoga, etc. Avoid using any medication, unless it's absolutely necessary and under the advice of a doctor. Because some drugs can bring side effects and adversely affect the development of the fetus in the first 3 months. Currently, Vinmec International General Hospital applies all-inclusive maternity health care packages with outstanding quality. Pregnant women are accompanied by experienced obstetricians and gynecologists at Vinmec throughout the process during pregnancy - labor - postpartum. Maternity packages at Vinmec International General Hospital include:
Maternity package 12 weeks Maternity package 27 weeks Maternity package 36 weeks Maternity package pregnancy - labor Doctor Tran Thi Mai Huong has 25 years of experience in examination and treatment in the field of Obstetrics and Gynecology, lower tract surgery, laparoscopic surgery. Has held the position of deputy head of the School of Obstetrics and Gynecology, deputy head of the delivery department - Hai Phong Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital. Having high expertise and strength in the field of:
Lower tract surgery Laparoscopic surgery Difficult obstetric surgery

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Reference source: Webmd.com