3rd week of pregnancy: what happens to the baby and mom - Lifehacker

During this period, fertilization occurs.

Text author

Yulia Shevchenko

Obstetrician-gynecologist and journalist.

What does your child look like?

First, as a zygote - a cell that appears after the fusion of the egg and sperm and is covered with a protective capsule. The zygote floats down the fallopian tube is crushedwithout increasing in size.

On the third day, it turns into a morula - a cluster of very small cells that resembles a raspberry.

4 days after fertilization, morula cells begin to secrete fluid that accumulates inside the embryo. Gradually it turns into a bubble - blastocyst. Its shell consists of two layers of cells. The inner part will then develop into the embryo, while the outer layer will become the placenta, embryonic membranes, and yolk sac.

Things to remember at this stage

It is too early for symptoms, so usually a woman is not even aware of her new condition. But those who planned conception and carefully calculated the date of ovulation, even before the delay in menstruation, can take a blood test for hCG and confirm pregnancy. The usual pharmacy test will be effective not earlier than in 1-2 days