I was thinking about when I was pregnant with my boys, and remembered how much I used to love reading up on my babys development for that particular week. One thing Ive noticed is I cant seem to find a pregnancy timeline anywhere on Minti, so I thought Id do 
some research from various sources and make one of my own. I want to make it clear that due to copyright restrictions I have not directly cut and pasted or copied anything from websites or books, but have read it and re-written it in my own wording from what I have learnt. All credits will go to the corresponding websites, books and magazines at the bottom of the page, where I have gotten my information from. If anyone feels that I have breached copyright in any way, please let me know. Cheers, and enjoy your reading!
Your pregnancy from Conception to 4 weeks gestation.
Well we all know how conception occurs, so I dont think I'll bother going into that lol. But about a week after conception, most women start to produce chemicals that tell your period to vanish. Not all women get this, but most do, which is the first obvious sign that you are pregnant.
The fertalised egg detatches itself from the ovary and makes its way down the fallopian tube into your womb. Usually by day seven it has attatched itself to the wall of the uterus, and baby begins to grow. This is where some women may start to get 'spotting'. This can carry on to about week 3.
By about week 4, you may begin to notice something is going on. Alot of women dont, but this is where you would be usually expecting your period. You may have tender breasts, feel bloated, and feel generally premenstrual. Little do you know this is actually the beginning of your pregnancy! You may also find you need to urinate more often. This is caused by hormones, and lucky you, may carry on right the way throughout your pregnancy, progressing in frequency as your baby grows and puts more pressure onto your bladder.
By week 4 the cluster of cells has now formed into an embyo, and will begin to take shape soon to look something like an alien looking baby lol. Dont be alarmed, this is completely normal and will soon be a beautiful little baby.
As soon as you find out you are pregnant, or even while you are trying to conceive, it is very beneficial for you to begin taking folic acid.
Folic acid helps prevent birth defects such as spina bifida and downs syndrome. You can find it at your local pharmacist or supermarket in the vitamins section.
If you smoke, drink alcohol or consume large amounts of caffeine, or take recreational drugs, or have a generally unhealthy diet and lifestyle, use your common sense, and cut down or stop, for your baby's well being.
And lastly, congratulations on your pregnancy, and enjoy this fantastic period of your life, you deserve it!
References:
Thankyou to the following sources for their fantastic information and pictures:
Parents.com, babyworld.co.uk, pregnancy and birth magazine, 'the purple book' distributed by Westmead Hospital.
(September 2007) (
