Once pregnancy is confirmed, parents are excited to learn about their baby`s growth and development. Pregnancy may seem like a long journey, but your baby is improving a little each week, and it`s great to know all about it. Learn about the exciting fetal development during week 3 of pregnancy and other pregnancy milestones you achieved during the week with this study.

Baby Growth

It`s your 3rd week of pregnancy and the good news is that the fetus is already in development. During this week, your baby is a small ball of 100 cells that multiplies rapidly. The part of the small ball or blastocyst that will turn into the placenta begins to produce pregnancy hormone (HCG) at the 3rd week of pregnancy. This hormone stops further egg production and triggers an increase in estrogen and progesterone production. These hormones ensure that your ovaries do not change the endometrium. Your little blastocyst is safe and sound in your endometrium during week 3, receiving oxygen and nutrients through tunnels that connect the small ball of cells to blood vessels in the uterine wall.

Baby Size

This week is very important because during this week, the fertilized egg implants securely in the endometrium and begins to develop with the help of oxygen and nutrients that the endometrium receives from the blood vessels. While the development itself is interesting, baby is insignificant to you. Technically speaking, the baby`s height is 0.0, and its weight is 0.0 grams.

As your pregnancy progresses, your body will also go through some changes. Let`s take a look at some common changes and symptoms that a woman`s body will go through during the 3-week of pregnancy.

Common Body Changes

Beta hCG value in the 3rd week of pregnancy is between 5 and 50 (mIU/L). This value is the "normal" hCG limits according to the 3rd week. Remember that every number in this wide range is normal, and don`t compare it to pregnant women around you. Any value within the “normal” limits is normal.

From the beginning to the end of pregnancy, body changes in women during pregnancy are huge. During the first few weeks of pregnancy, the difference a woman feels in her body and demeanor is quite similar. In fact, each of these symptoms or changes increases with each passing week of pregnancy. Some of the body changes that continue in the 3rd week of pregnancy are chest pain, high basal body temperature, fatigue and loss of appetite.

Pregnancy Symptoms

The symptoms of pregnancy differ from woman to woman, but here are a few common symptoms that can help you find out you`re pregnant a week before taking a pregnancy test.

1. Swollen or tender breasts.

1. An enhanced sense of smell.

1. Always fatigue.

1. Frequent urination.

1. Dislike of different foods.

1. Disguised vomiting and feeling of nausea.

1. Bleeding, or rather spotting, as the egg implants itself in the endometrium.

1. Always high basal body temperature

Abdomen

You will be excited to see the small body changes that occur during the 3rd week of pregnancy, however, a growing belly is not one of them. You may feel bloated, but it`s not actually because of the growing baby inside you. You have quite a few weeks ahead until you start looking pregnant. So you can safely keep your secret until you`re ready to say you`re expecting a baby.

Ultrasound

At three weeks, your baby is a tiny fertilized egg called a morula and is as small as a grain of salt. It is also in motion and therefore very difficult to detect during ultrasound. By week 4 though, you may see a thicker endometrium confirming that the little morula has reached its destination and is safe and secure in the uterus for the next nine months.

Diet

1. Folic acid is a vital vitamin for the proper growth of the fetus. Therefore, the sooner you start its intake, the better. Whole grain and leafy vegetables are rich in folic acid or folate. So be sure to include plenty in your daily diet. For extra safety, please feel free to take a folic acid supplement.

1. Avoid junk food as much as possible. Reduce your intake of extra sugar and white flour in any form. Eliminate saturated fat from your diet and opt for salads and grilled meats instead of deep fried foods. Junk food, especially fats, increases the risk of nausea and vomiting during pregnancy. That`s why you`d better say no to all kinds of unhealthy foods.

1. Your pregnancy diet for the 3rd week should include lots of leafy vegetables, fruits such as apricots, carrots, mangoes, hearty whole grains and low-fat dairy products. Eat and stay healthy for the sake of the little angel growing inside you.

1. A big `no` to skipping and rushing your meals. Enjoy your meals three times a day and start eating a healthy meal. This habit will provide you with a steady supply of nutrients to your baby throughout pregnancy and even beyond.

1. Scan your eating habits and get help if you have an eating disorder. It is important that you consult a dietitian before it is too late.

Tips and Care

The first and most important tip for the third week is to contact a healthcare provider you like and trust. This person will play an important role throughout your pregnancy; therefore, the sooner you identify someone, the better. If you trust a midwife or family doctor around you to completely support you in this process with its advices and approaches, it may be so. Here are a few dos to keep in mind for week three.

1. Pay attention to your body and early signs of pregnancy.

1. Get yourself a home pregnancy test kit.

1. Eat healthy foods with the mandatory addition of folic acid or folate to your diet.

1. Eat five servings of fruit and vegetables a day.

1. Take a prenatal vitamin supplement with folic acid.

Don’ts

1. Avoid junk food.

1. Stop smoking, drinking alcohol or using drugs.

1. Don`t buy clothes yet. You will be wearing your current clothes for the next few weeks.

1. Do not stress at home or at work, especially at this stage. It can hinder your baby`s development.

1. Consult your doctor and avoid taking any medication.

Shopping

For the 3rd week, your shopping cart remains simple. Get yourself a pregnancy book if you haven`t bought it yet. Buy a home pregnancy kit as it will come in handy soon. Add a comfortable cotton bra to the list to relieve the pain of your breasts. That`s all you need for now and the next few weeks of your pregnancy.