26.10.2024.

In just four short weeks, your pregnancy is already full of wonders. While the world around you sees no change, within you, a tiny miracle the size of a poppy seed is beginning to take shape. This is a time of subtle but powerful transformations as your body quietly prepares to nurture new life. Whether this is your first pregnancy or you’ve been down this path before, each experience is unique. As your body works behind the scenes, let’s dive into what’s happening inside as you embark on this extraordinary journey.

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. 

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 
• 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.

If you think you might be pregnant, reach out to your GP or local midwife service as soon as possible to discuss your next steps. Early care can make a significant difference, helping you prepare for a healthy pregnancy from the very beginning. Don’t hesitate to seek support and guidance—they’re there to help you every step of the way.