After conception, at the stage of 3 weeks pregnant, the egg fertilized passes into the uterus and gets imbedded into the uterine wall. It then begins rapidly multiplying into several new cells. Woman who is 3 weeks pregnant will elicit many physical and hormonal changes.

Does ultrasound indicate findings when 3 weeks pregnant?

A 3 weeks pregnant, an ultrasound will not show any image or results as it is a very early stage of pregnancy, and no baby or fetus has formed as yet. Ultrasound may be done by doctors just to confirm the pregnancy.

Development of the fetus at 3 weeks pregnant

• The unborn child at 3 weeks pregnant is a blastocyst i.e., a circular ball-like embryo consisting of rapidly reproducing cells. It passes gradually to the uterus via the fallopian tubes and then implants onto the wall of the uterus.
• The baby is only about .006 inches long. At 3 weeks pregnant, amniotic fluid starts to enclose the fetus and the process of amniotic sac formation also begins.
• At this stage of pregnancy, placenta has not yet formed. It will develop from a part of the ball-shaped blastocyst at a later stage. However, release of human chorionic gonadotropin hormone/hCG into blood and urine commences at 3 weeks pregnant.
• After 3 weeks expectant women may use a home pregnancy test kit. However, as the levels of hCG are quite low at this stage, the kit may or may not be able to positively identify an underlying case of pregnancy. The test may however be taken again after a few days.
  • It may be noted that the kits for testing pregnancy at home confirm a pregnancy by checking for hCG in urine. This hormone is released only when women are pregnant and it signals the ovaries to stop releasing eggs. The hormone also triggers increased production of estrogen and progesterone hormones which will help prevent uterine wall shedding and thus protect the baby and keep it safe for the next nine months.

Signs and symptoms at 3 weeks pregnant

Women may or may not have missed their menstrual cycle at 3 weeks pregnant. However, they may elicit varied signs and symptoms indicative of an underlying pregnancy.

Some of the common signs and symptoms experienced by 3 weeks pregnant women are as follows:

• Implantation may cause minor abdominal cramping. Cramps in the abdomen are usually one of the first indicators of conception. Cramping is caused due to effect of pregnancy hormones and the body’s adjustment to them. Cramping is short-term and persists for 1 to 2 days.
• Another definitive indicator of pregnancy is sudden nausea. It may or may not be accompanied by vomiting
• Implantation may also cause spotting or light bleeding. It is not something to be worried about; minor bleeding occurs due to digging of blastocyst into the uterine wall. The spotting may be pinkish or pale brown in color.
• Breasts are increasingly tender and swollen. Touching them may cause pain or soreness
• At 3 weeks pregnant, women may be exhausted, tired, or fatigued for no known reason. Fatigue is caused to excessive levels of progesterone home flowing across a woman’s body. Fatigue tends to last across the first trimester.
• Bloating, like that experienced during periods, may also occur at this early stage of pregnancy.
• The basal temperature of the body may remain elevated for 15 consecutive days. It is another distinctive sign of pregnancy
• The sense of smell tends to be heighted in women during early pregnancy. It is triggered by increasing levels of estrogen in the body. Many pregnant women tend to get weighed down with varied gag-inducing smells at 3 weeks pregnant.
• Other symptoms of early stage of pregnancy include,
  • Food cravings and food aversions
  • Increased desire to urinate frequently
  • Occasional bouts of constipation; it is caused due to increased levels of progesterone levels that relax the stomach muscles and slow the digestive processes.

Nutrition, Diet, and other tips at 3 weeks pregnant

Nutrition at 3 weeks pregnant is vital for healthy fetal growth and development of best environment for the baby to grow. Nutritional deficiencies can cause pregnancy complications

• Pregnant women need to intake a diet full of essential nutrients such as protein, calcium, folic acid, iron, and vitamins.
  • Doctors may prescribe folic acid and vitamin supplements as well as prenatal multivitamins
  • Iron is abundantly present in whole grains such as wheat, rice, oats, corn, and barley, etc.
  • Folic acid and vitamins are present in dark green, leafy, red, orange, and starchy veggies and different fruits
  • Calcium is abundant in cheese, yogurt, and other dairy products
  • Eat low fat, protein-abundant foods such as seafood, peas, seeds, eggs, beans, nuts, lean meats, and poultry
• Avoid caffeine, illegal drugs, alcohol, smoking, and certain medications and foods (papaya, etc.)
• Have an active lifestyle, exercise, avoid stress, meditate, do yoga, stay relaxed, and enjoy the pregnancy