3 Weeks Pregnant

This period is infamously known as the “two-week wait” (TWW)—that suspenseful gap between ovulation and the point when a pregnancy test can confirm what you may already be hoping for.

You’re probably feeling a mix of emotions as you gear up to take your pregnancy test. In the meantime, there’s a lot you can learn about what could be happening in your body and how you can start preparing for the months ahead.

Here’s a brief breakdown of the initial stages of pregnancy and what may be happening in your body: 1

1. Ovulation: In this stage, an egg is released from one of your ovaries, beginning its journey through the fallopian tube.
2. Fertilization: Sperm travels up through your cervix and uterus to meet this egg in the fallopian tube. When a single sperm successfully penetrates the egg, fertilization occurs.
3. Zygote formation: Fertilization causes the formation of a zygote with 46 chromosomes—23 from each parent. These chromosomes determine all of your baby’s genetic traits, from eye color to blood type.
4. Zygote migration: The zygote travels down the fallopian tube toward your uterus. As it travels, it divides rapidly, forming a cluster of cells that will continue to multiply. Within a few days, this cell cluster will reach what’s known as the blastocyst stage, with cells differentiating to form the future embryo and placenta.
5. Implantation: Once in the uterus, the blastocyst will eventually implant in the uterine lining. It will connect to your body’s nutrient supply, which will support it in the coming months.

By this point, if you’re pregnant, it means you’ve ovulated and conceived. However, your baby-to-be hasn’t implanted yet. Implantation typically occurs around 10 days after conception, though it can vary slightly from woman to woman. 2

Can you get a positive pregnancy test in week 3?

In week 3, it’s probably still too early for a home pregnancy test to detect your pregnancy.

Pregnancy tests work by detecting the presence of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), a pregnancy hormone that can be detected in your urine around 12–15 days after ovulation. 3

As a rule, if you’re wondering how early you can take a pregnancy test, wait until after you miss your period for accurate results. In fact, experts recommend waiting 1–2 weeks after your first missed period before you take a urine pregnancy test. 4

If you’re pregnant, your baby is a blastocyst, a tiny (but rapidly growing) clump of cells.

As these cells divide and multiply, they’ll split into two groups:

• Inner cells: These cells will soon become the embryo.
• Outer cells: These will eventually form your placenta, which will deliver oxygen and nutrients to your baby throughout your pregnancy.

At this point, the soon-to-be embryo is a tiny cluster of cells that would just barely be visible to the human eye. However, these early developments are already setting the foundation for every organ and body system that will form in the weeks ahead.

At week 3, you may begin to notice some early pregnancy symptoms, although these vary widely, and it’s also possible you won’t feel anything at all just yet.

Here’s a breakdown of common signs that can indicate pregnancy.

Missed period

A missed period is often the first clear sign of pregnancy. However, at week 3, it’s too early to expect this—your period wouldn’t have been due yet anyway. By the time you miss your period, you’ll already be in week 4 or 5, depending on your menstrual cycle length.

Implantation bleeding

Some women experience light spotting, known as implantation bleeding, when the fertilized egg attaches to the uterine lining. 5 This spotting is usually much lighter than a period and lasts for just a day or two.

Mild cramping or abdominal pressure

As your body adjusts to your early pregnancy, you might feel mild cramping or a sense of “heaviness” or pressure in your lower abdomen. These sensations can be similar to menstrual cramps.

They’re caused by hormonal changes and increased blood flow to your pelvic area, and they signal the beginning of your uterine adjustments as your body prepares itself to receive and support the fertilized egg.

Bloating

Hormonal shifts can also cause bloating, making your abdomen feel slightly fuller. This can resemble the bloating some people experience before their periods and is caused by progesterone (a hormone released during pregnancy) beginning to affect your digestive system.

Tender breasts

Your hormonal changes will also begin preparing your body for breastfeeding. As a result, you might notice that your breasts feel more tender, swollen, or sensitive than usual. Wearing a supportive bra can help.

Heightened sense of smell

Some women report that scents—including foods, perfumes, and ordinary household smells—seem more intense during the early stages of pregnancy. 6

Mood changes

You may experience shifts in your mood or feel a bit more emotional. Yet again, this is similar to how you might feel in your premenstrual period, and it’s also caused by your surging hormones.

Nausea

Nausea (known as morning sickness) is a well-known pregnancy symptom. It’s relatively rare in week 3, since your hormone levels probably won’t be high enough yet to trigger it, but some unlucky women start feeling queasy a little earlier than others. 7

If you experience nausea this early, try eating small, frequent meals throughout the day to keep your blood sugar stable. Foods like ginger, plain crackers, or toast can also help settle your stomach.

Metallic taste

It might seem strange, but a metallic taste in your mouth can be an early sign of pregnancy. This is one of the rarer symptoms on this list, especially this early. If you get it, don’t panic—it can be disconcerting, but it’s caused by your hormones affecting your taste receptors, and it’s completely normal. 8

High body temperature

If you’re keeping track of your basal body temperature (BBT), you may notice it remains elevated after ovulation. A consistently high BBT for more than 2 weeks can be an early indication of pregnancy, although it isn’t a guarantee.

Taking care of yourself in these early days will set a strong foundation for a healthy pregnancy. Here are some practical steps to support both you and your developing baby.

1. Start taking a prenatal vitamin

Taking a daily prenatal vitamin with folic acid is very important. This supports fetal development and prevents neural tube defects, which are often caused by folic acid deficiency. 9 Look for a vitamin that also contains calcium and iron, as well as any other key nutrients your doctor recommends.

2. Focus on nutrient-dense foods

Load your plate with foods that are full of calcium, iron, and protein. In particular, your pregnancy diet should consist of meals with lots of:

• Dark leafy greens
• Lean proteins
• Dairy (or fortified alternatives)
• Whole grains

3. Stay hydrated

Your water intake is just as important as your diet. Staying hydrated may ease your digestive issues, and it’ll be necessary to support your body as it starts increasing your blood volume (a change that, in turn, will support your baby’s development). The usual advice from experts is to drink at least 8 cups of water per day, and your doctor may recommend ramping up even more once you’re past the early stages.

4. Avoid high-risk substances

To support your baby’s development, you may need to make some lifestyle changes. You should avoid consuming: 10 11

• Alcohol
• Caffeine
• Tobacco or other products with nicotine
• Any illicit drugs (e.g., cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, and marijuana)
• Certain prescription medications
• Over-the-counter pain relievers (NSAIDs)
• Certain herbal supplements (e.g., goldenseal, ginseng, and black cohosh)
• High-mercury fish
• Unpasteurized dairy products and juices
• Undercooked or raw seafood, eggs, and meats
• Deli meats and processed meats
• Artificial sweeteners

Some of these may be okay to consume in moderation, but not all experts agree on the recommended limits. For example, some say that it’s okay to drink a little caffeine, but that you shouldn’t have more than 200 mg per day (about 1–2 cups of coffee).

Now is the time to get familiar with foods to avoid during pregnancy. You may be surprised by what you learn. For example, in addition to laying off the coffee to reduce your caffeine consumption, you should also avoid eating too much chocolate. 12

If you need help quitting smoking or adjusting other habits, talk with a healthcare provider for support.

5. Be mindful of overheating

Avoid steam rooms, hot tubs, and other high-heat environments that raise your core temperature. Research shows that high heat exposure can negatively affect a pregnancy during any trimester, including at week 3 in the first trimester. 13

For similar reasons, if you’re active, stick to light exercise, and take precautions to stay cool. Avoid intense or strenuous activities until you discuss safe routines with your doctor.

6. Establish a consistent sleep routine

Your body is working hard, so getting quality rest is very important. Try setting a regular bedtime, minimizing screen time before bed, and creating a calm sleep environment to improve your sleep quality now and in the months ahead.

7. Manage stress and practice patience

The “two-week wait” can be a time of mixed emotions and anticipation. Try to manage your stress by focusing on self-care activities, like (light) exercise, meditation, or journaling.

Taking time to relax and talk with your friends or family members can also help you stay grounded during this waiting period.

If it turns out you’re pregnant, congratulations! You should book your first prenatal visit with a doctor for around weeks 6–8 of your pregnancy.

During this appointment, you can expect a:

• Thorough health assessment
• Review of your medical history
• Weight check
• Blood pressure check

Your doctor may also perform a blood test or ultrasound to confirm your pregnancy and establish a due date.

This appointment is a good time to ask any questions and discuss any concerns you have. If you can prepare these ahead of time, that’s great—but if you realize after the fact that you forgot to ask something, don’t worry. You’ll have lots of other prenatal appointments throughout your pregnancy.

You can also consider using a journal or a pregnancy tracker app to keep track of your appointments, symptoms, and any questions you have for your doctor next time.

The 3rd week of pregnancy is a time of ups and downs. On one hand, if you’ve been trying to conceive for a while and you’re feeling the first prickles of what you suspect are early-pregnancy symptoms, it can be very exciting—but it can also be equally frustrating to have no way of confirming for sure.

Just do your best to take care of yourself (both physically and emotionally), and sit tight. With any luck, in a couple of weeks, you’ll see those two little lines you’ve been waiting for, and you’ll have already begun laying the foundation for a smooth, healthy pregnancy.