Pregnancy Week 3 - Pregnancy Week by Week

Welcome to Pregnancy Week 3.

Changes to Mother During Pregnancy Week 3

The egg or ovum is released into the fallopian tube and starts making its way down the fallopian tube towards the uterus. The sperm makes its way up into the fallopian tube and fertilizes the egg. The fertilized egg is referred to as a zygote and has a full set of chromosomes - one from the mother and one from the father. Fertilization has to occur within a day of ovulation as the lifetime of an ovum is about a day. The sperm can live in the female for a period of 2-3 days, so intercourse has to happen during a 2-3 day window before ovulation or on the day of ovulation for fertilization to occur.

Pregnancy tests will show up negative at this time. You will have to wait for at least another week or 2 to 3 days prior to your period before your pregnancy tests turn positive.

If you think that you are likely to be pregnant, then it is advisable to avoid non-essential medications including herbal ones. Consult your doctor and follow her advice before stopping any long term medicines. You might have to stop them gradually rather than abruptly.

Remember to eat healthy. You will have to increase your intake of certain nutrients such as folic acid, proteins, calcium and iron in your diet. Folic acid helps to avoid neural tube defects in the baby. This is generally taken through food supplements. Protein and calcium are vital nutrients that are necessary to create new tissues and for the development of bones and teeth. Excellent sources of proteins and calcium are dairy products, leafy green vegetables, and legumes. Iron is essential for you to support the continual increase of blood volume. Iron rich sources include legumes, eggs, and leafy green vegetables.

Changes to Baby During Pregnancy Week 3

Upon fertilization, the fertilized egg (or zygote) undergoes cell division as it continues moving down the fallopian tube towards the uterus. At the end of 3 days, the fertilized egg enters the uterus. At the end of 5 days, the fertilized egg is now a mass of cells called the blastocyte. The outer layer of cells will go on to form the placenta, which nourishes and protects the growing baby. The inner layer of cells will form the human embryo. The baby is only about the size of a pin at this stage.