- What's happening in your body at 3 weeks pregnant?
- What's happening to your future baby?
- Steps to consider this week
What's happening in your body at 3 weeks pregnant?
A hormonal whirlwind: welcome to pregnancy!
From the first weeks of pregnancy, your body undergoes impressive transformations to accommodate the baby. Beta-hCG , the pregnancy hormone, is produced by the embryo as soon as fertilization occurs. It plays a key role in triggering the symptoms you may already be experiencing at this stage. These include:
● Intense fatigue : a feeling of great fatigue may occur from the first few days.
● Tender and swollen breasts : Hormonal changes cause changes in the breasts, which become more sensitive. It is not uncommon to experience pain, which will be soothed by a hot band.
● Nausea : this often occurs in the morning, but can persist throughout the day.
● Emotional hypersensitivity : The hormonal roller coaster can affect your emotions. It's also completely normal to feel some anxiety about becoming parents and welcoming a child into your lives.
● Late period : This is usually one of the first signs that makes you suspect pregnancy.
When faced with these various early symptoms of pregnancy, don't hesitate to slow down and listen to your body.
How to manage pregnancy symptoms?
Nausea: a morning visit (or not...)
Nausea , often referred to as "morning sickness," can occur at any time of day due to hormonal changes. It is a very common symptom during early pregnancy, especially during the first 12 weeks.
To reduce these, don't hesitate to split up your meals to avoid having an empty stomach for too long. Opt for light snacks, such as toast, almonds, or unsweetened compote. Also avoid foods that are too fatty or spicy , as they can reduce digestion and increase gastric acidity, thus increasing discomfort.
If you're looking for a natural way to relieve nausea, try Nausea Saver , our 100% organic herbal tea that's safe for pregnancy, starting from the first month. It contains ginger, known for its soothing properties. Combined with verbena, cardamom, and orange and cocoa peel, it can soothe or prevent nausea. Like Violaine, 91% of our pregnant testers found that the infusion relieved their nausea and improved their quality of life:
Violaine
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16,90 € - Regular price
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- Sale price
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16,90 €
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70,10 € - Regular price
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73,70 € - Sale price
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70,10 €
Fatigue
Fatigue is a common symptom in the early weeks of pregnancy. Your body is working hard to support the developing embryo, which may explain this increased feeling of tiredness.
If you're feeling tired, take time to rest and don't force yourself to work too hard. Give yourself time to recover and don't be afraid to slow down. A short nap or a moment of relaxation can do wonders!
Nutritionally, favor foods rich in iron (lentils, quinoa, spinach, etc.), combining them with foods rich in vitamin C (citrus fruits, peppers, strawberries, etc.) so that the iron is better absorbed.
Choose low-glycemic foods for steady energy. They will also reduce the risk of gestational diabetes later in life.
Hydration is also essential: make sure you drink plenty of water. The recommended intake is 2 to 3 liters per day, provided by food and drink.
Stretch Mark Prevention
Your skin is beginning to change to accommodate your growing belly and breasts. This is the perfect time to establish a skincare routine , including anti-stretch mark oils and anti-stretch mark creams. However, it's essential to use skincare products that don't contain ingredients that aren't recommended during this time.
Our Anti-Stretch Mark Ritual is suitable from the first month of pregnancy . Its safety for expectant mothers has been validated by an independent toxicology expert. This ritual, composed of the Lait Fondant for the morning and L'Huile Sensorielle for the evening, is designed to moisturize, nourish and protect your skin. Our two treatments contain dermochlorella , a natural active ingredient that stimulates the production of collagen and elastin, which makes the skin more supple, ready to stretch without cracking. And the earlier you start this ritual, the more effective it will be!
- Regular price
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27,90 € - Regular price
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- Sale price
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27,90 €
- Regular price
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28,90 € - Regular price
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- Sale price
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28,90 €
What's happening to your future baby?
Rapid development in 3 weeks
Your baby at 5 weeks of amenorrhea is still a microscopic embryo of about 1.5 mm , the size of a sesame seed placed warm in your uterus. Although small, its development is rapid and decisive for the following stages of pregnancy. From 10 weeks of pregnancy (12 weeks), it will be considered a fetus .
Neural tube formation
Neural tube formation begins during the third week of pregnancy. The neural tube will eventually give rise to your baby's spinal cord and brain . Proper closure of the neural tube is therefore essential. To support this process, it is essential to have an adequate intake of folic acid (vitamin B9). It also promotes cell growth and the development of the placenta.
The heart begins to form
Although your baby's heart doesn't begin to beat noticeably until later in pregnancy, the formation of the heart and blood vessels begins as early as three weeks. These early steps are essential for the healthy development of your baby's circulatory system.
The beginnings of the umbilical cord
At 3 weeks of pregnancy, the umbilical cord is still developing, but it is still in its early stages. At this stage, the embryo begins to form the first structures needed for nutrition and oxygenation. Blood vessels begin to develop and connect the embryo to the placenta, but it will still take a few weeks for the umbilical cord to fully form. Once fully formed, this cord will be essential for transporting oxygen and nutrients from the mother to the baby, while also removing waste products from the embryo. The umbilical cord will thus become the key element in supporting the growth and development of your future baby.
Steps to consider this week
Take a blood test
If you haven't already had a blood pregnancy test, now's the time. You can ask your doctor for this blood test, which will measure your beta-hCG hormone levels to ensure your pregnancy is developing normally. This will help rule out problems like ectopic pregnancies and reassure you about the risk of miscarriage.
Make an appointment with your midwife or gynecologist
Even if you're still in the early stages of pregnancy, it's a good idea to schedule your first prenatal checkup. This appointment usually takes place around 8 weeks, but you can start planning now. This appointment will also give you the opportunity to ask any questions you may have and get valuable advice about your pregnancy. You can also schedule your prenatal ultrasound , which will take place in a few weeks.
Find out about your mutual insurance coverage
Check that your health insurance covers maternity-related expenses, such as prenatal visits, hospitalization, and delivery. If necessary, adjust your policy to ensure optimal coverage. Also, check whether your partner 's health insurance plan is more advantageous. As a partner and father (or second mother), they may be able to include you as beneficiaries under their policy.
To learn more about the first month of pregnancy , read our full article! And to pamper yourself, discover our selection of maternity gift sets . You deserve it. 🥰
