Happy couple with positive pregnancy test

Pregnancy Week 4: The First Big Clue

By Lisa H

Last updated on 6 May 2025

This is the week when many people first suspect they might be pregnant. By now, the fertilized egg may have implanted in the uterus, and your body is starting to produce hCG—the hormone that pregnancy tests detect.If you’ve missed your period and are wondering whether it’s time to test: yes, it is.What’s happening in your body?

  • Implantation would have occurred at the end of last week or early this week.

  • If pregnant, your body is producing hCG, which supports the pregnancy and helps maintain the uterine lining.

  • You might start to feel early pregnancy symptoms, though it’s still early days. Some people notice fatigue, sore breasts, or light cramping. Others feel nothing at all—and that’s totally normal, too.

In Germany: what to do next

  • Home pregnancy tests (Schwangerschaftstests) are widely available at DM, Rossmann, Müller, or any Apotheke. You don’t need a prescription.

  • If the test is positive, you can call a Frauenarzt/Frauenärztin (gynecologist) or Hebamme (midwife) to schedule your first prenatal appointment—usually around Week 8.

  • Some women choose to book a Hebamme (midwife) early. In some areas, they book out fast—so it’s worth looking into already.

If you test positive, your due date will likely be calculated from the first day of your last period (Week 1!), not the actual day of conception.

What else can you do?

  • Keep taking folic acid daily.

  • Eat well, get rest, and avoid alcohol and smoking.

  • Don’t worry if you don’t feel pregnant—every pregnancy starts differently.

Week 4 is often the turning point from “maybe” to “wow.” Whether you’re feeling over the moon, cautiously excited, or overwhelmed—it’s all valid. If your test was positive, welcome to a brand-new chapter. And if not, there’s still a lot of helpful info ahead.

Read the full article here.