Week 4

This week marks the beginning of the brand new embryonic period. Right from this week to the 10th week, your baby’s organs will start to develop, and some might even begin to function. As an embryo, your baby is the size of a poppy seed, which mostly constitutes of two layers: the hypoblast and epiblast, from which all of his or her organs will start to develop. The placentas cells are residing themselves into the lining of your uterus, leading to make spaces for blood to flow. This will further enrich the developed placenta to provide nutrients and oxygen to the growing body. Also, at present you are growing inside you an amniotic sac – a place where your stomach will be housing the baby. This amniotic fluid will further cushion the baby as he or she grows and the yolk sac will help in producing your baby’s red blood cells, while help delivering nutrient to the baby until the placenta is fully developed and is ready to take upon this job! Your baby is mostly getting developed in three major sections: firstly, his or her brain and central nervous system, which is already beginning to take shape in the form of neutral tubes; the heart and circulatory system is already beginning to form; and so are the lungs and intestines. Even though all the stages may be undetectable to the outside world (or maybe even you!), just the feeling of growing a baby inside you at this point in time could be a feeling of over joyousness! It is this first growth stage, where your baby is most vulnerable to interfere with anything that might hamper his or her development.