4 Weeks Pregnant: Symptoms, Cramping & More (2024)

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Medically reviewed by Layan Alrahmani, M.D., ob-gyn, MFM

4 Weeks Pregnant: Symptoms, Cramping & More (3)

Written by

Kate Marple | Jan 10, 2023

In this article
  • Baby Development
  • Pregnancy Symptoms Week 4
  • Pregnancy Checklist

4 Weeks Pregnant: Symptoms, Cramping & More (4)

Highlights this week

Pregnancy testing

If you haven't already, test now to confirm you're pregnant. For the most accurate results, wait until a few day after you miss your period before you take a pregnancy test, use your first morning pee so hCG levels are more concentrated, and follow the directions on your test carefully. If you get a negative pregnancy test but your period hasn't come, wait a few days and test again.

Your due date

Our Due Date Calculator can determine your due date based on the date of your last menstrual period or the date of conception. Keep in mind that a due date is just a guess – only 1 out of 20 women actually delivers on her due date. You're just as likely to go into labor any day during the two weeks before or after.

From blastocyst to embryo

Your baby-to-be will soon transform from a ball of cells called a blastocyst to an embryo the size of a poppy seed. (Once your amniotic sac forms, 10 to 12 days after fertilization, your baby becomes an official embryo.) Over the next six weeks, your baby's nervous system, connective tissue, and organs will start to develop.

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Baby development at 4 weeks

Growing fast

Cells are multiplying rapidly and taking on different functions. Your little embryo consists of two layers called the hypoblast and the epiblast, from which all of the organs will begin to develop over the next six weeks. This is the time when your baby will be most vulnerable to anything that might interfere with development, so be sure to steer clear of alcohol, smoking, drugs, and unsafe chemicals.

Also, watch out for overheating. High temperatures, especially early in pregnancy, have been associated with increased risk of neural tube defects. That's why saunas, steam baths, and hot tubs aren't recommended during pregnancy.

Primitive placenta

Your embryo's outer cells are tunneling into the lining of your uterus. Spaces form within this layer for your blood to flow into so that you'll be able to provide nutrients and oxygen to your growing baby.

Amniotic sac and yolk sac

There's now an amniotic sac surrounding your embryo – it contains amniotic fluid and will cushion your baby as they grow. Your tiny embryo also has a yolk sac, which temporarily provides nourishment and makes cells that turn into the umbilical cord, gastrointestinal system, and reproductive organs.

Having twins?

It's too soon to know. But it's still fun to see what fraternal twins look like in the womb this week. You can also learn about your likelihood of having twins or more.

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Your baby at 4 weeks

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Your baby is about the size of a poppy seed

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Pregnancy symptoms during week 4

No pregnancy symptoms?

Don't worry. Many women don't feel anything yet this week. By next week, about half of women will experience symptoms, but most early pregnancy symptoms don't start until about 6 weeks.

Tender, swollen breasts

Breast tenderness can be one of the first signs of pregnancy. It usually starts around 4 to 6 weeks and lasts through the first trimester. You may notice your breasts growing or your nipples darkening. Some women also see prominent blue or purple veins develop on their breasts in early pregnancy.

Fatigue

For many women, exhaustion is one of the early signs of pregnancy. Pregnancy fatigue affects almost all expecting moms in the first trimester, likely due to a dramatic rise in progesterone.

Nausea or vomiting

Despite the misleading name, morning sickness can strike at any time of day. It usually starts around 6 weeks of pregnancy but can begin as early as 4 weeks. Up to 80 percent of expecting moms experience nausea during pregnancy, and about half have both nausea and vomiting.

Gas and bloating

Increased progesterone levels may be slowing down your digestion and causing gas and bloating. Even weeks before you begin to show, you may burp or pass gas much more often, or have to unbutton your pants to relieve bloating.

Cramping

Cramps during pregnancy are often nothing to worry about. In early pregnancy, some women feel implantation cramps (and can have some spotting) when the fertilized egg implants in the uterus. However, first trimester cramps along with other symptoms (such as bleeding) can signal a problem such as an ectopic pregnancy or miscarriage. Find out when to call your doctor or midwife about cramping during pregnancy.

Mood swings

Hormones, stress, and exhaustion all contribute to mood swings during pregnancy, which can be strongest in the first trimester. Emotional upheaval is normal right now. But if your mood swings are becoming more frequent or more intense, or if they last longer than two weeks, talk to your provider. You may be among the one in 10 women who battle mild to moderate depression during pregnancy.

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Your body at 4 weeks

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Pregnancy checklist at 4 weeks pregnant

Make a prenatal appointment

Once you get a positive pregnancy test, call your doctor or midwife and make your first prenatal appointment. Many healthcare providers will schedule your first visit for when you're about 8 weeks pregnant. Some will see you sooner, particularly if you have a medical condition, have had problems with a pregnancy in the past, or are having symptoms such as vaginal bleeding, abdominal pain, or severe nausea and vomiting.

Make sure your medicine is pregnancy-safe

Always check with your provider before you take any kind of medicine during pregnancy – prescription medicine or even an over-the-counter (OTC) product. If you take medication currently, ask your provider whether it's a safe medicine for pregnancy. Your doctor or midwife can help you find a good alternative if it isn't.

Soothe your digestive system

If you're plagued by gas, bloating, or an uncomfortable sensation in your gut, try eating smaller meals throughout the day. Eat slowly and chew your food well, don't drink too much water during meals, and avoid carbonated beverages, gum, and the artificial sweetener sorbitol. Exercise, like walking or prenatal yoga, can also provide relief.

Find out what's in store throughout pregnancy

You're pregnant! Now what? Get a sneak peek at the months ahead with our quick pregnancy overview.

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4 weeks pregnant bellies

Though you just found out you're pregnant, you may already feel the button on your pants digging into your belly. That's due to bloating, which can make your clothes uncomfortable even this early in your pregnancy journey.

It will be a few months before you need maternity clothes, but until then you'll probably appreciate things that are loose-fitting at the waist, like leggings, joggers, sweats, and maxi dresses. You'll be glad you have them as your body starts to change more.

There may be a period where your regular clothes don't fit, but you're not ready to wear maternity clothes yet either – that's normal. This in-between phase is a good time to shop your closet with an eye for soft knits, athleisure, loose-fitting blouses, oversize cardigans, and roomy dresses. These items can also be helpful if you aren't ready to announce your pregnancy yet, and want to keep well-meaning-but-curious friends and colleagues at bay.

This week's video

Video

BabyCenter's editorial team is committed to providing the most helpful and trustworthy pregnancy and parenting information in the world. When creating and updating content, we rely on credible sources: respected health organizations, professional groups of doctors and other experts, and published studies in peer-reviewed journals. We believe you should always know the source of the information you're seeing. Learn more about our editorial and medical review policies.

ACOG. 2021. How your fetus grows during pregnancy. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/how-your-fetus-grows-during-pregnancyOpens a new window[Accessed December 2022]

Cleveland Clinic. 2022. Yolk Sac.https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/22341-yolk-sacOpens a new window[Accessed December 2022]

FDA. 2019. Home use tests: Pregnancy. U.S. Food and Drug Administration.https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/home-use-tests/pregnancyOpens a new window[Accessed December 2022]

Mayo Clinic. 2021. Fetal development: The 1st trimester.https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/pregnancy-week-by-week/in-depth/prenatal-care/art-20045302Opens a new window[Accessed December 2022]

Mayo Clinic. 2021. Symptoms of pregnancy: What happens first.https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/getting-pregnant/in-depth/symptoms-of-pregnancy/art-20043853Opens a new window[Accessed December 2022]

MedlinePlus (ADAM). 2021. Fetal development.https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/002398.htmOpens a new window[Accessed December 2022]

Merck Manual. 2022. Stages of Development of the Fetus.https://www.merckmanuals.com/home/women-s-health-issues/normal-pregnancy/stages-of-development-of-the-fetusOpens a new window[Accessed December 2022]

NIH. 2017. What are some common signs of pregnancy? National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health.https://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/pregnancy/conditioninfo/signsOpens a new window[Accessed December 2022]

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Kate Marple

Kate Marple is a writer and editor who specializes in health, pregnancy, and parenting content. She's passionate about translating complicated medical information into helpful pregnancy and parenting advice that's easy to understand. She lives in San Francisco with her family.

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FAQs

4 Weeks Pregnant: Symptoms, Cramping & More? ›

Your Body at 4 Weeks Pregnant

Why am I cramping so much at 4 weeks pregnant? ›

The embryo continues to implant in your uterus, burying itself deep within the endometrium. Some women have slight cramping and spotting during this week while implantation happens. They might mistake this for a period, especially because this is around the time their monthly period was due.

Can you barely have symptoms at 4 weeks pregnant? ›

You at 4 weeks

In the first 4 weeks of pregnancy, you probably will not notice any symptoms. The first thing you may notice is that your period does not arrive, or you may have other signs and symptoms of pregnancy, such as breast tenderness. You can confirm the pregnancy with a pregnancy test.

Why are my pregnancy symptoms so strong at 4 weeks? ›

Increased progesterone levels may be slowing down your digestion and causing gas and bloating. Even weeks before you begin to show, you may burp or pass gas much more often, or have to unbutton your pants to relieve bloating.

How much cramping is too much in early pregnancy? ›

In most cases, there's no immediate cause for concern if the crampy pain you feel isn't severe, one-sided, or accompanied by bleeding. That said, be sure to call a health care provider if you have any questions or worries about cramping in early pregnancy.

What do miscarriage cramps feel like at 4 weeks? ›

In most miscarriages, you will also experience lower abdominal pain, which may feel like period pain or severe cramps. As a miscarriage progresses, you may also pass fluid and blood clots from your vagina.

When does ectopic pregnancy pain start? ›

Women with an ectopic pregnancy may have irregular bleeding and pelvic or abdominal pain, often on one side. Symptoms most often appear 6 to 8 weeks after the last normal menstrual period. Ectopic pregnancy may be treated in several ways, depending on whether the fallopian tube has burst.

Is it normal to not feel any different at 4 weeks pregnant? ›

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.

What is the hardest week in early pregnancy? ›

The exact peak of morning sickness is different for every person, but it'll generally be around week 9. Some newer studies have been trying to assess when nausea and vomiting tends to generally start during a pregnancy.

What are the symptoms of twins at 4 weeks pregnant? ›

Twin pregnancy symptoms at 4 weeks
  • No symptoms. Because 4 weeks is still so early in the pregnancy, many women experience no symptoms and don't know they're pregnant yet. ...
  • Missed period. ...
  • Fatigue. ...
  • Nausea and/or vomiting. ...
  • Implantation bleeding. ...
  • Breast tenderness. ...
  • Mood swings.
Nov 18, 2021

What is considered abnormal cramping in early pregnancy? ›

When should I be concerned about cramping during pregnancy? While it is common to experience cramping, there are some serious causes of abdominal pain you shouldn't ignore. “Any cramping that is severe in intensity, occurs at regular intervals and progressively gets worse with time is abnormal,” Bylow said.

Did anyone feel like their period was coming but pregnant? ›

Implantation bleeding usually starts around the time you expect your period or a few days sooner and can easily be mistaken for the start of menstruation. It might also be accompanied by mild cramping that feels like pulling or tingling.

How many days can cramping last in early pregnancy? ›

Those who have experienced early pregnancy cramps often describe them as mild abdominal pain, less intense than menstrual symptoms. It is common to feel pressure in the lower abdomen, which can last from a few minutes to a couple of days.

How long do miscarriage cramps last at 4 weeks? ›

Most of the tissue passes within 2 to 4 hours after the cramping and bleeding start. Cramping usually stops within a day. Light bleeding or spotting can go on for 4 to 6 weeks. Two weeks after the tissue passes, your ob-gyn may do an ultrasound exam or other tests to make sure all the tissue has passed.

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