Congratulations, you and your partner have succeeded in conception, the first step to becoming parents! You have a long road of pregnancy ahead of you, but it will all be worth it!
Your baby at week three of pregnancy
Your baby at week three is no larger than a poppy seed! Your future baby boy or girl is merely a little ball of cells in your fallopian tube, where a triumphant sperm has joined forces with one of your eggs.
Some of these cells will become the placenta and others are destined to be part of your baby. At conception the sex of your baby has already been determined, even if you won’t know for 18-20 weeks, or maybe even birth! This little ball of cells will now travel on a 6 day journey down the fallopian tube, to the safety of your womb, where he or she will gain nutrients, protection and size over the next 9 months, until they are ready to greet the world and their joyous parents!
Your body at week three of pregnancy
When it comes to your body, you are probably not feeling any significant difference, but you may feel your usual pre-period symptoms, such as mild cramping, light spotting, and sore heavy breasts, particularly if this is your first pregnancy. These sensations could be due to the multiple processes that are occurring as your body undergoes the changes essential to accommodate your tiny baby, such as the thickening of your uterus lining, the growth of your uterus or the feeling of embryo implantation. Due to increased amounts of estrogen in your body, you might also be finding yourself increasingly sensitive to odors of all genres, from food, to washing powder, which could contribute to nausea and make you more susceptible to morning sickness.
What you may be feeling at week three of pregnancy
You may get a feeling that you are pregnant as early as three weeks. Your pre-menstrual symptoms may feel a little different to you. You may be excited and nervous to find out if you have conceived. You may be wondering if it is too soon to take a pregnancy test. The most sensitive pregnancy tests can detect low levels of the pregnancy hormone as soon as four days before your period is due or seven days after you have conceived.
Common symptoms at week three of pregnancy
- Prickling, tingling sensations in your nipples which can feel very sore.
- Food cravings or you may dislike the taste of foods your usually enjoy; commonly tea, coffee and fried foods but it can be anything!
- A metallic taste in your mouth and you may be sensitive to the smell especially the odor of foods and cooking. This may be unpleasant to you.
- Morning sickness usually starts around six weeks but some women experience it as early as four weeks at around the time your period is due; sometimes even earlier than this.
- Feeling tired and weepy.
- Increased vaginal discharge.
Tips for week three of pregnancy
- Get yourself a good doctor or gynae/obstetrician
- Ask friends and family for recommendations (if you are happy for them to know at this stage you may be pregnant), otherwise speak to your own doctor.
- Buy a home pregnancy test!
If you have any symptoms that concern you it is important to consult your doctor as soon as you can.